The World's "Most Dangerous" Spiritual Guru: Oprah Begins 10-Week Online New Age Class

Life Site ^ | March 7, 2008 | John Jalsevac

[NYer]

March 7, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - This past Monday Oprah Winfrey, considered by many to be the world's most influential woman, began a ten-week long online course on the best-selling book, "A New Earth," by New Age guru, Eckhart Tolle. "A New Earth" has already sold some 3.5 million copies worldwide, thanks largely to the publicity given to it by Oprah. According to Oprah, 500,000 people from across the world signed on to the first segment of the online course, to spend an hour and a half listening to Ekhart and Oprah talking about chapter 1 of the book, and taking calls from participants.

In recent years Oprah has been inviting an increasing number of representatives of new age spirituality onto her talk shows, including figures such as Marianne Williamson, Barbara DeAngelis, LaVar Burton, Richard Carlson, Betty Eadie, and many others. Oprah has strongly endorsed many of their works, and has included some of them in her "Book Club" list.  

Since the beginning of this year Oprah has offered daily classes on her XM radio station on the book "A Course in Miracles." "A Course in Miracles" (or ACIM for short) was written by another major player in the New Age movement, Helen Schucman, who claims that the book was dictated to her by an interior voice, which she identifies with Jesus Christ. In that course, the listener is taught that there is no sin, is told not to make the "mistake" of "clinging to the old rugged cross," and that the name of "Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol." 

Oprah, who is a self-labeled "Christian", was recently named the "most dangerous woman in the world" by Bill Keller, considered by some to be the world's leading Internet evangelist. He accused Oprah of peddling the equivalent of "spiritual crack." Keller has been warning the subscribers of his Daily Devotional for years about Oprah and how she uses her TV program to promote every New Age philosophy in the world, including the wildly popular book and DVD last year, "The Secret," which teaches readers or viewers that simply by desiring them strongly enough, one may obtain wealth, health and happiness.

However, rarely has Oprah shown more enthusiasm for a New Age guru than for the so-called Eckhart Tolle, who takes his first name from the well-known 13th century Catholic Rhineland mystic, Meister Eckhart. Tolle is the author of several books including "The Power of Now," and, most recently, "A New Earth."

Much like many other New Age systems, Eckhart's "spirituality" is a vague, ethereal blend of spiritual theories and ideas, gleaned from all of the world's major religions. Eckhart promises the attainment of "inner peace" and a higher state of consciousness by utilizing methods of meditation that plunge one into the "now." He also says that mankind is in a moment of crisis, in which the race must either achieve the next stage in its evolution by attaining "higher consciousness", or destroy itself and the planet.

The title of his newest book, "A New Earth," is taken from Chapter 21 from the Book of Revelations, in which the Biblical visionary says that he "saw a new heaven and a new earth." Throughout his newest book Eckhart sprinkles quotations from Scripture, and he frequently speaks about Christ and Scripture in his talks.

The core of Eckhart's teaching is a religious relativism, in which he eschews all rigid doctrine or exclusive claims to truth as dangerous and manifestations of "egoiic consciousness."  "The moment you say 'only my belief' or 'our belief' is true, and you deny other people's beliefs, then you've adopted an ideology," Eckhart told the participants in Monday's online class. "And then religion becomes a closed door."

Eckhart explains away conscience and feelings of guilt as but the consequence of years of conditioning. He told one caller, who confessed that she still feels guilt when she decides against going to church on Sunday, that she must recognize that "the voice" which tells her to go to church is simply the result of social conditioning.

One caller into the show told Oprah that she was a Catholic, and was having trouble seeing how Eckhart's teachings could be reconciled with her Catholicism. Oprah responded that the caller must simply realize that Christianity is but one of many ways to achieve the "higher consciousness," and that the belief that one must follow a set of doctrines is a consequence of "egoiic consciousness." While Christianity is a valid way to achieve high states of spirituality, it must not be considered a unique way, or a "correct way".

"Jesus," said Oprah, "came to show us Christ-consciousness…Jesus came to show us the way of the heart…Jesus came to say, 'Look I'm going to live in the body, in the human body and I'm going to show you how it's done.' These are some principles and some laws that you can use to live by to know that way"

She concluded, "I don't believe that Jesus came to start Christianity."

"What Jesus said is much deeper than what you, how the church interprets it. There's a depth to it. And it reflects your own depth when you read it. So there's no conflict between this teaching, which is purely spiritual, and any religion."

Oprah also indicated that there are many names that one might give to that which she calls "God", including "energy," "consciousness" and "life."

Oprah also contrasted what she called the "old" spirituality vs. the "new" spirituality, as espoused by Eckhart. "The old way is the hierarchy has the authority. Church authorities tell you how to worship in church and how to behave outside of church. The new spirituality is that you are your own best authority as you work to know and love yourself, you discover how to live a more spiritual life."

Despite Oprah and Eckhart's reduction of Christianity to but one "way" amongst many other equally legitimate ways to God, and their calling Christ a "revolutionary" who has been misunderstood by the Church, and who simply came to manifest "Christ-consciousness", a quick search through the internet reveals that many Christians are following Oprah in attempting to fuse together the teachings of Eckhart, and the doctrines of the historical Christian church.

One writer on the message board on Oprah's website wrote a message with the subject line, "Scared I'm replacing my religion, which I love." "I just started the book" she wrote, "and I love the idea of the book but I guess the question I keep repeating in my head is will this be replacing my religion? How do the two work together. Can someone please help ease my mind that I'm not turning on the lord."

Many of the respondents to the questioner confessed that they too had similar misgivings about the book, but "upon reflection", realized that Tolle draws from numerous Christian sources, and that he and Oprah were giving them a "deeper understanding" of their faith.

However, Keller, and a number of other Christian pastors have begun to actively warn Christians that Oprah and Eckhart's teachings are by no means compatible with Christianity. "Oprah is now trying to be the spiritual guru to this nation," said Keller in an appearance on Fox. "Sadly, she is being used as a tool of Satan to lead millions of souls to hell with her false teachings."

Another pastor, James A. Smith Sr., writing in the Florida Baptist Witness, criticized Oprah's "spirituality" for its emphasis on the power of the individual to define truth and reality, and to totally control one's own life. "What this fails to acknowledge is that man dos not define reality; man does not determine what truth is," wrote Smith. "The source of truth for our decisions and power is the one true God of all reality and He has communicated plenary propositional truths to us in the Bible and remarkably, uniquely in His incarnation in Jesus Christ.

"Oprah, as with other New Agers, is not in pursuit and in communion with God." 

WorldNetDaily columnist Chuck Norris, wrote about Oprah and The New Earth, "The reason Tolle's psychology and spirituality is marketed so easy is that it is an eclectic mix of conventional and unconventional wisdom, and Western and Eastern beliefs, presented in a tolerant, non-threatening, and non-sectarian way. In other words, it's 'Religion Light,' in which one can be spiritual with 'little down and no credit.'"

Norris recommended that his readers simply sit down and read a Bible, rather than "A New Earth." "One could easily save the purchase price of 'A New Earth' and subsequently avoid misleading remarks by reading a Bible, which gives a much more thorough and accurate picture of life's purpose and methods for overcoming its obstacles," said Norris.

See YouTube video of Fox interview with Bill Keller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFtKIztRtnY

See related LifeSiteNews.com coverage:

Oprah Winfrey Endorses Homosexuality Again With Upcoming Show
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/printerfriendly.html?article...

Oprah Promotes Homosexual Agenda Again Referring to Lesbians as "Married"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/printerfriendly.html?article...

OPRAH WINFREY SUPPORT FOR ABORTION AND HOMOSEXUALITY
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/printerfriendly.html?article...

[pissant]

Let the fools waste their time and money. the more time these dumbsh*t housewives are spending on line and watching Doprah, the less time they are spending clogging the roads and nagging their neighbors.

[mkjessup]

Oprah has finally decided that she did it all herself and now worships herself. She wants to share that with all of us.

A previous poster nailed it: 'doctrines of demons', put Oprah in a closed room with a God-fearing, Bible-believing, washed-in-the-Blood-of-Jesus Christian, and they'll have that demon giving it's name, saying how many more of them are in there (and based on Oprah's size, there's a bunch of 'em), and they'll begin screaming in agony as the Name of Jesus is invoked, and they are ordered to leave their host and return to whatever spot in Hell they came from.

[the_Watchman]

I suppose the calls are screened and the show isn’t actually live. Otherwise, it would be interesting to watch Oprah’s face when a caller started to bring in quotations from Mein Kampf with the words, “I think Hitler had it right when he said...”.

Of course, if these loonies objected to the source of the quote, they could be hoist on their own petard. This is the type of attack Buckley used to use against moral relativism.

People actually know better when you put it in these terms.

[Screaming_Gerbil]

Oprah's new Easter

[Moonman62]

I wonder if Oprah will ever go the Kool-Aid and cyanide route.

[Emmett McCarthy]

This “Course In Miracles” crap worked its way from The Unity Church bunch and infiltrated various “12 Step” programs like AA and every other “alphabet”-aholic group over the past 20 years. It’s a bunch of “have faith in faith” gobblygook which fits in well her boy Obama’s “hope and change” messianic mission. In some ways, it’s not much different than the “prosperity theologians” that buy the TV airtime.

[yankeedame]

Hummm...Let's see....

=============================================

"One caller into the show told Oprah that she was a CatholicMuslim, and was having trouble seeing how Eckhart's teachings could be reconciled with her Catholicism Muslim faith. Oprah responded that the caller must simply realize that Christianity Islam is but one of many ways to achieve the 'higher consciousness,' and that the belief that one must follow a set of doctrines is a consequence of 'egoiic consciousness.' While Christianitythe Muslim faith is a valid way to achieve high states of spirituality, it must not be considered a unique way, or a 'correct way'. " 'JesusMohammad,' said Oprah, 'came to show us ChristAli-consciousness…JesusMohammad came to show us the way of the heart…' "She concluded, 'I don't believe that JesusMohammad came to start ChristianityIslam.'

" 'What JesusMohammad said is much deeper than what you, how the churchmosque interprets it. There's a depth to it. And it reflects your own depth when you read it. So there's no conflict between this teaching, which is purely spiritual, and any religion.' "

===========================================

Yeah...I didn't think so..

[Larry Lucido]

And he’s got a big head!

[Dionysius]

God, save us! That Toile makes David Souter look like a Muscle Beach bully. What do you get at the end of the “course” — a biodegradeable certificate and a one-way ticket to Loony Land?

[fso301]

"A New Earth," by New Age guru, Eckhart Tolle.

Probably named after Dietrich Eckart.

[BenLurkin]

1. On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
the emblem of suffering and shame;
and I love that old cross where the dearest and best
for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
and exchange it some day for a crown.

2. O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
has a wondrous attraction for me;
for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above
to bear it to dark Calvary.
(Refrain)

3. In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
a wondrous beauty I see,
for ‘twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
to pardon and sanctify me.
(Refrain)

4. To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,
its shame and reproach gladly bear;
then he’ll call me some day to my home far away,
where his glory forever I’ll share.
(Refrain)

[grey_whiskers]

Who are these women? Men beware. Ask anyone you date if she watches Oprah....and run for your lives.

Reminds me of 2nd Timothy 3:5-7:

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."

Cheers!

[BenLurkin]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuCMjzYA3_U

[Obadiah]

That is the exact same verse that always comes to my mind when I think about Oprah.

[D-fendr]

Doesn’t Oprah belong to Obama’s church?

[bajabaja]

That is good advice, JaneNC, to men dating oprahphiles. But I think this phenomenon is largely a result of people with too much time on their hands (in this case, mostly female) who have never experienced true hardship in life, poverty, etc. Those who have (of both sexes) are amazingly immune to this babble.

I recall the writer Lucian, who wrote of such similar scams in the times of the classic Romans — and Sinclair Lewis, I believe, who wrote of something similar.

Just the Elmer Gantry of our times.

The proof will be that in 3 years, these books will be sold for $0.10 in garage sales — and of no lasting value in life.

The problem is the damage this stuff does (and the time waste it causes) to many, especially females.

[tang-soo]

The title of his newest book, "A New Earth," is taken from Chapter 21 from the Book of Revelations, in which ... What book is that?

[3catsanadog]

"The Secret," which teaches readers or viewers that simply by desiring them strongly enough, one may obtain wealth, health and happiness.

I guess 6 million Jews in Europe didn't desire wealth, health and happiness enough.

Or 2 million in Pol Pot's Cambodia.

Or millions of Russians when Stalin was Dictator.

It's easy to believe this lighter than air stuff when you live in a country where even our poorest have enough food, shelter, clothing, water, plumbing, electricity and a few extras like TV, a library to get books to read.

These new agers think that all their good thoughts will never let yechy stuff in their lives anymore. But somewhere in the Bible it says that God rains on both the good and the bad.