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.
In the Catholic church, a person goes through Confirmation when they are older and able to comprehend the faith. Baptism is the first step.
Yes, and I'm sure you prayed about that "pretentious witch" moniker too. How very Godly of you.
Last time I looked, she was being inundated with callers asking for her opinions. She's not calling them.
There have been several occasions where I could tell what the caller was trying to say, but she couldn't because she was too busy interrupting with her lecture (without even knowing where the person is coming from? Talk about arrogant)
Since you are so very wise, why don't you start an advice show of your own? I'm just so sure you could do a much better job.
She's a harpy who just likes the sound of her own voice.
Somebody sounds just a tad envious.
And is she even a doctor? I know she's not a psychologist, as she presents herself.
Her doctorate is in physiology. Oh, and she is a licensed psychotherapist in the State of California, with decades of private practice to her credit. (Just so you'll be a bit better informed before blatting off.)
After listening for 3 years, I just know when a caller is fixin' to get shredded. My daughters and I will be whooping and cheering when Dr. Laura lets go with both barrels.
It did take many months to get used to her abrasive style. Just remember she is a New Yorker and lacks Southern grace. She knows how to get to the truth of the matter and usually leads the caller to a greater understanding.
She has greatly changed my life and my kids, too.
I personally heard the broadcast of these "spiritual jouney" comments. I have felt for some time that the Holy Spirit is drawing her near. I join with many others in the prayer of salvation for Dr. Laura. She has been a faithful servant for a long time, I pray for her to have a relationship with the Master.
I'm just another strong, opinionated woman who knows a compliment when I hear one. Thanks.
I find that the people who criticize her tend to fall into a few different groups:
--They may be (like you and me, Precious) from a Southern background, and they may recoil against her abrasive style. They might recall that being gentle on the radio is not the way to gain listeners, which is her job. Many of these people are men who can't stand a shrill woman's voice. For this I don't blame them. I think that's basic biology. Men are biologically wired up to respond very very badly to a shrill voice.
--They may be people whose morality is somewhat flexible or relativistic, and they don't like hearing that certain things are just plain BAD and WRONG no matter what, no matter how it feels. Especially if they themselves are engaging in the behavior in question. Remember, folks, if you have this reaction you are just steps away from calling any criticism of behavior "judgemental"--the classic liberal's trick!
I'm in prayer for this brave lady and for the ministry in which she is engaged. May God protect her and give her the grace of faith so she can truly know Him.
Right!
She is a hypocrite and a fraud, a moral poser. She doesn't believe half of what she says, and her absence of genuine moral center makes her advice dissonant and sometimes self-contradicting.
Well, at least birds soar above the ground, unlike some creatures which can't seem to get their eyes out of the mud.
She needs a little dose of Christianity, so that she can better learn how to treat her fellow man.
God save her from your kind of Christianity. A mocking, sarcastic, cutting tone like yours is one of the major reasons people flee from anything to do with Christ. And you could do with a little less judgmentalism yourself--unless, of course, you believe that "judge not" only applies to people you don't like.
These poor people are nothing more that a tool for her to make money, and please the sheep who think that she's God's gift to radio.
Whatsa matter? You audition didn't go well?
And jealous? Nope - I have no desire to end up a bitter, lonely old hag.
Well, nobody's calling you an old hag.
She has straight on advice 90% of the time and I agree with most of that advice.
That said, I was totally turned off when a few yrs. ago a listener called with the dilemna of a job problem. Laura asked her if she had any children and the caller replied one. She then proceeded to lamblast the caller about her ultimate role being a stay at home mom. She ridiculed the caller that she was worshipping the almight dollar more than her family. The caller never mentioned a husband or anyone other than her daughter.
Who is Dr. Laura to lamblast a caller , not knowing anything about this woman. Maybe she was a widow. Maybe her husband is unemployed.
The condescending manner in which this poor caller was treated was unexcusable.
I don't know what Dr. L's mom did to her, but I know that sometimes the best thing is to quit playing the game with an abusive parent.
HA! YOU are the harpy that jumped right in on me because I dared say anything bad about your sacred cow. You went there first, not me. Perhaps you don't agree with me, but if your tone had been even reasonably polite to begin with, we wouldn't be here now.
Go yell at your kids, or something.
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