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New turn in Dr. Laura's spiritual journey
WorldNetDaily ^ | August 8, 2003

Posted on 08/08/2003 9:37:48 PM PDT by scripter

Dr. Laura Schlessinger, one of the nation's most popular radio talk-show hosts and the most successful on-air counselor, is no longer practicing the rituals of Judaism – a religion she converted to a decade ago in her 40s.

''Almost 10 years ago, I talked on the air about becoming a convert to Judaism,'' she told her listeners last week. ''I was open on the air at that time about that evolution. Well, I would say within the last year I have had a de-evolution.''

Where is she now spiritually?

''Nowhere exactly,'' she chuckled. ''Suspended animation. I still see myself as a Jew. But the spiritual journey in that direction – as hard-core as I was at it – just didn't fulfill something in me that I needed.''

Schlessinger grew up in New York, the child of a Jewish father and a Catholic mother. She was a life-long atheist, who, in her 40s, began exploring and practicing Judaism.

''I felt that I was putting out a tremendous amount toward that mission, that end, and not feeling return, not feeling connected, not feeling that inspired,'' she told her radio audience. ''And trust me, I've talked to rabbis, I've read, I've prayed, I've agonized, and I came to this place anyway, which is not exactly back to the beginning, but more in that direction than not.''

Schlessinger, known to millions as Dr. Laura, says she is still ''very committed still to all my moral issues, and the charitable issues. I mean that hasn't changed. My putting out hasn't changed. My identifying with this entity and fulfilling the rituals, etc., of the entity – that has ended."

During the past month, Schlessinger has been increasingly offered more personal insights into her life, as well as her spiritual journey.

A recent column for WorldNetDaily offered a glimpse of what a day in the life of Dr. Laura is like. The reaction to these personal glimpses has been interesting, she said.

''By and large, the faxes from Christians have been very loving, very supportive,'' she said. ''They'd say, 'We're praying for you.' 'We hope you can attain this because of the work you do.' 'We can see how committed you are.' 'You are doing God's work.' 'It's a shame you haven't been able to feel. ...' really supportive, nice stuff. From my own religion, I have either gotten nothing, which is 99 percent of it, or two of the nastiest letters I have gotten in a long time. I guess that's my point, I don't get much back. Not much warmth coming back. It's intellectual, argumentative and angry. If anything, that's all solidified me where I am.''

Schlessinger said she has envied her Christian friends who talk about their relationship with God.

''I have envied all my Christian friends who really, universally, deeply, feel loved by God,'' she told her listeners last Tuesday. ''They use the name Jesus, in referring to God. My Christians friends generally talk about Jesus when referring to God. That was a mystery, feeling connected to God. To me that was a mystery, and I was very sad about that and very envious of my friends.''

Schlessinger, the best-selling author of several books focused on successful relationships, parenting ideas, morality and personal ethics, is now working on a new one, ''Bad Childhood, Good Life.'' In researching that book, she said, she is more convinced than ever that religion is the most powerful force in turning people's lives around.

''Any of you who 'dis' religion and say: 'It's just a matter of sheep following' or 'It's all nonsense,' you are deluded," said on her program. ''You're in denial, and you're unreasonably hostile. The beauty that I have heard on this show and read in these letters over the last 25 years I've been on the air, for the people who've been able to feel connected to God and feel loved no matter whether they say 'God' or 'God Jesus,' no matter what it is they use as the term, it has been the saving grace. That is not to be disrespected.''

The ''Dr. Laura Show'' is heard on some 300 radio stations with an estimated 12 million listeners, making it the second most popular radio talk show to Rush Limbaugh's.

See Dr. Laura's WorldNetDaily column archive.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: badchildhoodgoodlife; drlaura; faith; spiritualjourney; talkradio
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I'm sure Dr. Laura could use some prayer.
1 posted on 08/08/2003 9:37:48 PM PDT by scripter
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To: scripter
She is close to a big transition.
2 posted on 08/08/2003 9:38:58 PM PDT by CARepubGal
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To: CARepubGal
She is close to a big transition...

So we hope, and indeed, pray...

the infowarrior

3 posted on 08/08/2003 9:41:04 PM PDT by infowarrior
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To: scripter
One needs not advocate any religion or church to be a believer and student of God.
4 posted on 08/08/2003 9:43:29 PM PDT by Cold Heat (Nothing in my home is French!)
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To: scripter
... ''I still see myself as a Jew. But the spiritual journey in that direction – as hard-core as I was at it – just didn't fulfill something in me that I needed.''

Well, I guess we can strike religion and nekked pictures off the list.

5 posted on 08/08/2003 9:45:50 PM PDT by strela ("Each of us can find a maggot in our past which will happily devour our futures." Horatio Hornblower)
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To: scripter
I will pray for her.
6 posted on 08/08/2003 9:46:14 PM PDT by I still care
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To: scripter
Amen! Prayer definitely coming from TX!
7 posted on 08/08/2003 9:46:19 PM PDT by Humidston (Do not remove this tag under penalty of law)
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To: scripter
I still listen to Dr. Laura almost daily, and enjoy her show. I think she has been able to help a lot of people. I admire the way she is able to "cut to the quick" and help people see things that they haven't recognized before.
8 posted on 08/08/2003 9:46:55 PM PDT by basil
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To: infowarrior
Amen.
9 posted on 08/08/2003 9:47:27 PM PDT by CARepubGal
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To: basil
I can't find her in the Houston area anymore.... :-(
10 posted on 08/08/2003 9:47:58 PM PDT by Humidston (Do not remove this tag under penalty of law)
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To: scripter
Natural path for a religious person to go on. Marvin Olasky hs had the same type of experience...Jewish.....atheist...Christian!

I guess all is not lost in this world!! Thank you Holy Spirit and keep guiding Dr. Laura.
11 posted on 08/08/2003 9:49:13 PM PDT by Ann Archy
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To: Ann Archy
I didn't know that about Marvin Olasky. Does he still write for World Magazine?
12 posted on 08/08/2003 9:54:56 PM PDT by scripter
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To: scripter
Natural path for a religious person to go on. Marvin Olasky hs had the same type of experience...Jewish.....atheist...Christian!

I guess all is not lost in this world!! Thank you Holy Spirit and keep guiding Dr. Laura.
13 posted on 08/08/2003 9:58:58 PM PDT by Ann Archy
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To: Ann Archy
Yeah, I saw that the first time. :-)
14 posted on 08/08/2003 10:00:11 PM PDT by scripter
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To: scripter
SPOTREP
15 posted on 08/08/2003 10:02:30 PM PDT by LiteKeeper
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To: CARepubGal
She is close to a big transition.

I've heard her talk about how much support she gets from the Christian community and I'm always grateful for those who take the time to write her. She'll definitely be in my prayers.

16 posted on 08/08/2003 10:02:59 PM PDT by scripter
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To: scripter
messianic Jew in the making? St. Stein... a Catholic Jewish saint
17 posted on 08/08/2003 10:05:25 PM PDT by cyborg (i'm half and half... me mum is a muggle and me dad is a witch)
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To: CARepubGal
>>She is close to a big transition.<<

Yes. And whatever else one can say about Michael Savage, he seems to be genuinely seaching, spiritually.

John 3:16
18 posted on 08/08/2003 10:06:38 PM PDT by SerpentDove (Each post focus-group tested for maximum wallop.)
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To: scripter
In my opinion (not worth much), but I like Dr. Laura very much. I also believe she is being summoned by the Holy Spirit.

Come to Christ Laura...............He understands.

19 posted on 08/08/2003 10:07:03 PM PDT by SkyPilot
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To: LiteKeeper
Dr Laura is a fruitcake. Her five second answer to caller's question is dangerous.

She cannot even handle her own problems ie her mother's death, her son's teenage problems nor her own religious convictions.

But, yet, she can claim to solve your problems.

Turn her off!


20 posted on 08/08/2003 10:08:43 PM PDT by Conservababe
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