Wow! I mean wow!
Neale, you are so awesome and so real.
I don’t see the big deal in what happened, and I mean no disrespect to Ms. Chand. Stuff like that happens to me, and all of us, all the time.
I have learned and been able to stretch my spirit so much with this blog.
I will miss you dearly and look forward to the next forum where your truth will be spoken.
Big Love,
Tracy W.

PLEASE DON´T LEAVE US!! We grow with your blogs, and we are so much better spiritual beings because of them, is there a way we can all request Beliefnet network not to let you leave? I am sure Mrs Chand will understand since she is one of your readers as well.
Please, don´t stop doing what you were sent to do.

How can we believe anything you have written once you start plagiarizing. The Beliefnet network integrity would be compromised if they let you continue.

You made a mistake. Get over and move on. Too many people rely on you, Neale, and it would be a shame to give it up over a silly mistake. If you love doing it, you owe it to yourself to continue. I’m not disappointed in you for making a mistake, but I’d be disappointed if you let it keep you from doing what you love and helping so many people. Please reconsider. I, for ONE, enjoy your blogs and, if you quit, we’ll all miss out. I love you, Neale.

I for one do not agree with what the person posting as plagiarism wrote… Neale, you made a mistake, as we all do, I truly can’t believe that beliefnet would not allow you to continue posting. Do they not understand how many people you help on a daily basis with your blog? Neale, please do something and do not allow this to happen. We love and need you Neale. Peace and Love All Ways. Sharron

Well , I for one am aghast….Neale, is this a rouse?…
If you have 9 or 10 children, how do you know it didn’t happen?…maybe the 2 of you were at the same children’s concert. No, I don’t think Chand should be offended at all. Isn’t that what the cosmic consciousness is all about? Minds and thoughts merging, even if it is a true story for one person, are we betting the odds that it could not have happened to thousands?…..geesh come on..!
I think there is something more behind this.

I just found this blog. I hope to continue reading this life changing material daily, if not here, somewhere else. Whether it was a mistake or an experience you also had and can’t remember that you read about a similar one, saved it and used it – is besides the point. I would just credit her, apology said and charge forward with this new experience under your belt.
I look forward to reading your blog daily. Please update us as to your decision/new links, etc.
Lori

Jamaica Calling!
happy new year…and I would really not like your blog to disappear at all…
a mistake is all it is and you have apologized and yes let’s move on please!

Yes, we all make mistakes, and yes, it is appropriate for an author, particularly an inspirational figure, to set the record straight as well as maintain the credibility of the publisher. However, if you have been passing this as your own work, you have harmed another person, another writer. How will her reputation within the publishing industry be protected if she is not universally perceived to be the owner of her published story? This one-time posting cannot begin to address the larger audience that is her industry.

Blessings Neale,
What is being fixed by you leaving Beliefnet? Who is being served? What is the bigger picture?
I can feel your embarrassment and am impressed with the painstaking explaination of how it happend. I don’t think the solution is what you have offered.
Would your advice to someone with the same mistake be the same? Would you tell them to move on?
But them maybe the choice is not yours. Maybe it is Beliefnet that should do the reconsidering. I will post a note to them asking for this to solved in a different manner.
Namaste’
Ken

You are correct Neale made a mistake. We all make mistakes. The unfortunate thing about a mistake is there are consequences. Plagiarizing someone’s copyrighted work is a serous legal mistake. I understand many of you feel this an honest mistake, but the law is clear. An author of Mr. Walsch’s level understands the severity of plagiarizing someone’s work. He made a mistake and now he must live with the consequences.

For those who are addressing the severity of Neale’s mistake and the fact that it questions everything he has written and words about “living with the consequences”…
You are begging the universe to put you in a position where you will be asked to show the kind of courage and candor that Neale has.
Karma can be a son of gun – be careful.
Tracy W.

Hi Neale, When I joined the Messenger’s Circle in Jan ’06, (leaving in Summer ’07) I wrote then to a couple of fellow bloggers about how I perceive our sum knowledge is doubling every 2 years, adding, that in the years leading up to 2012/13 that doubling of our “entire collective knowledge” would occur every minute, then every second, and then every nanosecond. Lo and behold, when I read Happier Than God, I was surprised to find something akin to what I wrote. Except that you, Neale, used the word exponentially, and used numbers like 2 4 8 16 32 64 and such to explain this expandsion of (our) collective knowledge. When I thought it through, I realized that this idea could have been seeded into many minds through the collective consciousness, and that it was in no way plagiarism on your part. Heck, I could have heard something like that somewhere and wrote away, its possible.
But I must state that your gaffe regarding copying author Ms Chand’s work and passing it off as your own is rather more serious and needs to be examined with conscience. Lessons are everywhere to be learned, and I for one, have been humbled by many. In the end we should move on and keep on keeping on with our tasks after having learned from experience, some not exactly a walk in the park, but valid experience nonetheless.
John

Wow, how embarrassing for you. Whether intentional or inadvertent, what a nasty shock to get called up on plagiarism, and what a position that puts not only you in, but your readers as well.
Your followers will have to decide for themselves whether to believe you now, whether or not to review their reactions to your past work, whether to believe you in the future, and how much faith to place in any inspirational writer from here out.
Yeah, we all make mistakes but I think the true risk with any kind of untruth is the damage it does to trust and the flow of information.
At least in our current western culture. The bible, of course, is full of inspirational writing that decent scholarship has shown to be authored by plenty of folks other than those named. But then as I understand it, there was some tradition of that at the time and over the centuries since we’ve long stopped worrying about whether it was really Paul of Tarsus who wrote each and every letter from Paul.
Your problem today raises an ethical issue I’ve struggled to fully understand for a long time, though – intellectual property rights. I don’t mean to undermine the seriousness of the issue but when it comes right down to it, there are few real original thoughts out there in the first place. And now the internet has thrown a spin on what was already a fast ball.
Not long ago a friend forwarded a lovely Powerpoint presentation of wise words that supposedly came from the Dalai Lama. It was one of those fwd:fwd:fwd’s. I don’t know, Neale, maybe they were your words. At any rate, I doubted very much that they came from the Dalai Lama although they were nice thoughts and worth considering.
I thought it sad that someone, maybe whomever had set the words to pictures and music, apparently felt they had to substitute with the Dalai Lama’s name, in order to have those thoughts taken seriously. As if there were only one possible source of reasonable wisdom these days.
I think the internet and the vast amount of information so readily and quickly available is a challenge not just to the mechanics of copyright law and intellectual property rights, but to more than that. When ideas and information become so ubiquitous, how does one claim ownership of anything? A musing? A story?
And where does sharing and giving stand with making a buck and protecting a career?
Plagiarism, and our loss of trust in a writer who turns out to have been a plagiarist, is predicated soley on the notion that people can own ideas. That a person can claim that this idea or that originated with him or herself, and only so, and that having such an origin affects the worth of that idea.
Neale, if I were in your business, with as much reading and writing as you do, I’d be loathe to present anything as if it came from personal experience. But that’s just my preference, and it seems that the greater part of your professional identity has been formed through claiming personal experience as your primary vehicle.
Frankly, I suspect that’s a larger bind than whether any of us will accept and forgive your blunder with the Christmas story.
From my relatively new participation in your blog here, I do thoroughly forgive your mistake – whether it was intentional plagiarism or accidental. For what it’s worth, I know that false memories do exist, the interplay between imagination and memory has been proven in studies I could dig out and cite.
My interest lies more with whether your writing and your blog have been helpful and useful. I think they have, to many. Given that, I personally don’t care whether it was your son’s Christmas pageant or not. I’d taken all that with a grain of salt in the first place.
Good luck to you. You’ll be in my prayers.
If your blog here discontinues, I thank you and all of the people who have contributed thoughts and questions and experiences. It’s been a good venue and everyone here has helped me more than any of you will ever know.

As a writer, poet, and english teacher, I have sometimes happened upon a fellow author’s moving phrase or sentence or image that whispers to me in some spiritual way even to the point where I write it down in my journal or stash it away in a drawer so that I might return to it a later time when seeking a catalyst for inspiration. This is a common practice among writers. Many is the painter, poet and writer who look to others for inspiration, daring to make no secret of it as they publish a “redo” of a particular painting, poem, or story. Even poet laureates redo poems, translating a previous cultural story to a modern day version.
Certainly, it is easy to see how a writer, as prolific and famous as yourself, already possessing a great readership of admirers, daily mailing to you clippings and printouts of pertinent stories, many likely without an attached author’s name, might carelessly stash one in a drawer only to return to it thinking it his own. It is also understandable to see how easily the impish mind can play tricks with its clever sleight of hand, returning over and again to an emotional image, idea, phrase to which we have attached, so much so that it attempts to convince us that it is our very own experience we have incorporated into our memory, no matter how remote from reality. This very thing happened to Helen Keller and Coleridge and many other famous writers I can’t think of right now. I thank God that they did not discontinue their mission to continue inspiring a devoted reading public all due to a minor misunderstanding.
I sinscerely pray that Ms. Chand accepts your gracious apology in light of the circumstances that you have attempted to correct the misconception, and in light of the knowledge that you, with 22 books out and counting and numerous articles published, stood to gain nothing in printing her story here as your own. Now that you have graciously given credit where credit is due, I can imagine a possibility that Ms. Chand might even be flattered by an author of your stature finding in her work such quality that it moved him to breed further life into it by putting it on this very public and popular forum. I can even conceive of the possibility that Ms. Chand, whom sadly I have never heard, might actually benefit from the attention given it.
I have sincerely enjoyed the lively exchange of ideas with you and all the fellow bloggers here at Beliefnet, a place I have come to know and love and gain spiritual inspiration. I know that where there is a will there is a way and I know that there is a better way, and I hope that all is resolved by morning. I hope that when I open up this forum, as I have done everyday for awhile now, that I find another entry by Neale Donald Walsch.
No matter what happens,Neale, remember that it is God’s work we are up to. You cannot let any earthly setback deter us from our Godly mission to spread the message of Peace and Love and Oneness throughout this world.
Love and Peace and Namaste, my forever friend,
Michelle

I do wonder if this was the first time, or just the first time he was caught.

Neale, Someone once said,”I’m all in,I’m totally committed here,Even if the going gets rough,Especially then.” Aging puts wrinkles on your face,Quitting puts wrinkles on your SOUL. YOU will not have to think but for a second as to why YOU received THIS message today. LOVE Your Friend, SEAN

I have read with interest all the related articles and comments since being referred here from the NYTimes article. The comments are both original, inspiring, and troubling. There are so many voices we read through the Internet, including mine now. I too wonder about the concept of intellectual property rights existing as the original author’s name gets deleted, and then a few introductory words changed.
2 points I wish to make.
One point that bothers me is this fact, if it seemed to be a an original memory that Mr. Walsch had, why did he change anything of it? Perhaps it didn’t seem quite vivid enough? An added flourish here and there? Well, that is one lingering thought that bothers me.
2nd point is back to this issue of intellectual property rights, which I appreciated the lengthy musings on by Mr. Jinba. As we spend our quit hours reading, reading and commenting, hoping that this leads to some recognition, some money, some adoring fans…..I think all this is leading to a change in what is happening to the concept of authorship. The sheer competition of quantity will outweigh the value of quality.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this is NOT the very first, and only time that Mr. Walsch, and others, have taken and altered lesser known works and presented as “their own”. When I worked in Los Angles it was a fairly common grumbling of musicians, and screen play writers that this was part of the price they had to pay in order to eventually be recognized by “the people inside the castle”. Only a few get into the place where Mr. Walsch, and some others abide, and narrow is the gate and the way to get in. One of the taxes is to send things in by blind trust, and hope that by doing so, you will be blessed with some form of “recognition”. But “how many times can you sustain this creative act?” is a question faced by those inside and those seeking admission. For it isn’t just one unique beautiful story that will allow entry, that time had passed long before the Internet. The Internet merely raises the bar, I think, a hundred fold, or at least we are seeing the bar rise, the bar for admission into THE largest and most-difficult-to-get-into castle. For if every small group, or even one blogger can have their own castle, fewer and fewer will be clambering fans wanting to catch a glimpse of the snowy white beard, the perfect style etc. There will be many pretenders, “false authors”. Thus one of the measurements will be not whether you have written 10 touching Christmas stories,that you claim authorship, but 10 books, 20 books and counting.
Third point: The fact that English will lose its gate into the center of global attention as other regions with voices in other languages improve
We in America are also going to be assigned a smaller share of the glory as the American ecomomy balances out with the rise of other regions and single culture economies. The Internet will have a plurality of fathers, not the single English one which we have come to expect. And this change willNn produces more authors writing in languages other than English. The many “unique ideas” that Mr. Walsch already claims ownership, and has an agency, it’s fathers attending Christmas pageants on snowy weekend evenings, while during the week rigorously protecting his ownership will eventually be powerless against the eventual “theft” as “his” ideas get translated and claimed as original by Chinese, or one of dozens of Indian area language authors.
There is a storm on the horizon.

Let’s reverse the situation, shall we? What if, say a relatively unknown author read a bestselling book, maybe one called Conversations with God, and found it “utterly charming and its message indelibly true” and began to tell it in public over and over until one day they believed that THEY had had a conversation with God, and published a book listing themselves as the author that was word-for-word lifted from the original? Would anyone be at all sympathetic to the word-swiper in that scenario? I doubt it. Yet that is what has happened here — he took someone else’s story word-for-word (okay, he dropped her first paragraph and write a sentence of his own to start if off)– and claimed it as his own. How odd that anyone here believes that Candy Chand, who makes her living by writing true stories, should turn the other cheek and graciously permit her work to be stolen.

well i must say that i have truly enjoyed the blog and i will miss the great insight.if Neale stole the story or not only he and God know and it is ok either way.God bless you and may you continue to live your highest truth

I love you Neale. Even if you decided to give up the blog because it has become too demanding on your time, it would be ok. This is your experience, to do with as you wish. Blessings, Love and Peace to you dear friend. I appreciate all you’ve shared. May you have rest. Love always, Susan

Some would say that since only ONE consciousness exists and that all ideas come from that eternal source that we act only as a radio receiver for the broadcast. I agree that this forces us to examine property rights and ownership of ideas. Scientists often make the same discovery at the same time without any direct relative communication. This shows us that perhaps the ideas and words that we so fervently seek to hold onto were, perhaps, never ours in the first place. When reading a lot of spiritual material, as I’m sure Neale does, it’s easy to forget where something came from.
This Candy Chand is also a spiritual writer. Neale was spiritual enough to recognize his mistake, let’s hope Candy Chand and Beliefnet are spiritual enough to forgive it.

“Would anyone be at all sympathetic to the word-swiper in that scenario? ”
Your Name,
Your analogy is false. On the one hand, you have a multi-million dollar, best-selling author, with twenty something published works translated into dozens of languages, and on the other, a comparatively little known author of ten stories.
Why on earth, would Neale maliciously, “intentionally”, as you seem intent on implying, have the motivation to pass off a short story as his own.
Who stands to gain and who stands to lose?
Michelle

So the original message is lost in a maze of ownership? Priceless.
Ms candy: “Christ Was Love” TM
So she witnessed an event that was witnessed by a bunch of others and she goes and writes about it and now she owns the public story? Oh yeah and the whole thing about Christ was love? Is the point that Christ Was Love so she doesn’t have to be or is it just that “Christ Was Love” but only if you quote her on it?
Religions selling God at a price, pure and simple. Every religion does it. First people claim to have the way to God and second they try to sell it or own it.
I think I’ll stick with this guy:
the love guru: “Gee You Are You” TM

since we are all one soul, and since we are all able to jump to different pages on the spindle of time, it’s not implausible that your conscious could do this. Your books explain this quite well. PEACE FRIEND

I couldn’t even begin to estimate how many times I may have done the same thing. Yes Plagerism is wrong, and easily unintentional as in this case. Obviously, since I’m not a high profile person, I’ll never have to worry about it. Neale, you have my permission to plagerize anything from me you see on my “my Space”, facebook and any other place I happen to add my stories and philosophy. I would be flattered that you thought so much of my writing, that you continued it through your branches of communication. After all, wouldn’t my intent, the end result for the material be achieved? It would lift the spirit of others. Where it came from is just a means to an end, the real source is God in the form of inspiration. Ego would demand my name were next to it. I don’t cater to ego, it doesn’t serve me well.

Neale, you are the only reason I visit this web site. If you will no longer be writing here, please can you tell me where you will be writing online so I can continue to follow your work.
Your loss here will be a loss to a great many people and this web site will be the worse for it. Shame on anyone who has a part in this happening.
Dylan

As I said before that I think there is something more behind this, I am grasping the seriousness of all of this. I read Marianne Williamson’s comments on the war, and there is something here that really coincides – its the fact that we are witnessing the war of words, so to speak. Who is right and who is wrong – and how will this “war” be settled. Neale has admitted to a wrongful act, and apologized giving credit to Ms. Chand. That should be it in my eyes. As many have written here – and I believe myself, “tapping into” same thoughts will become more and more prevelant. This is just a Christmas Story – and as another fellow poster wrote – the story is the same, even the other Christmas Story in the Bible is the same story but with different authors – please lets put this whole thing in the LIGHT and send Love to it like Marianne says. Lets just raise the consciousness around the whole situation. If this is the final exam, Neale I do hope you do well on this test. Our thoughts and prayers are dutifully focused on the end to all wars each week in the healing/prayer Circle I participate in. This will be no different. Peace and Love Always to you Neale.

Well, I for one will miss coming here. I can’t afford to pay to join other places where Neale posts, so I will miss having the opportunity to post to him and read what he has to say every few days.
This phenomenon is well-known in police investigations and psych experiments have proven that the mind is susceptible to just this kind of false memory. I think the main concern is, Was there malicious intent? Obviously there wasn’t. Methinks the punishment a bit harsh considering.
However, if it made the New York Times, I can see the embarrassment factor being such that discontinuing the blog feels like a welcome relief. Too bad the whole incident can’t become a sort of model for forgiveness. What is the ideal way to treat a person who’s made an honest mistake anyway?

Easy to understand and forgive especially considering his oldest son is 27 and named Nickolas. If you wrote hundreds of letters a year as he does and you found one with your son or daughters name in the story would you think you wrote it? Maybe!

You shall not steal
You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor

Who was it that said, “Turn the other cheek?”

Neale, I believe this is a beautiful story of creation. You’ve experienced Candy’s story – twice – then and now! I don’t think you stole it…it is a beautiful story of oneness! Empathy somehow. Am I going too far?
You two should unite and create something new…maybe a page that contains something like experienced stories. As you for instance being that girl in a story right now. And at the end everyone astonished! It would be a beautiful prove of oneness or love from all the people of the world!
What do you say?
Love,
Teja

Dear Neale
Everything happens for a purpose.
Perhaps a new opportunity is in the process of revealing itself.
As Rumi’s “The Guest House” poem that I posted as a comment to your last post says…
“Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.”
I came to this blog as a result of finding that it began on the same day as my birthday – July 9. I found this blog through Gary Zukav’s blog which started on July 10. Yesterday, I posted a Rumi poem in response to Marianne Williamson’s wonderful piece that also quoted Rumi.
I then looked up more about Marianne, and was astonished to discover her birthdate…
July 8.
And yesterday, while taking Deepak Chopra’s “Vow of Non-Violence” (which I found through Marianne’s site), and posting it in a forum to encourage others to do the same…I quoted words from the 14th Dalai Lama about his views on the matter.
I’ve just looked up the birthdate of the Dalai Lama…
July 6.
My instinct tells me that an opportunity may be arising for you to co-create something wonderful with others collaboratively
Or it may be to return here (or somewhere similar), and continue to draw on the wisdom of others, as you have been doing.
Whatever opportunity you choose to create from this situation…I wish you well, and hope to continue interacting with you in some form.
Thank you for all of the wonderful gifts you have already given to the world.
I have a feeling though, that the best is yet to come.
bhdt

Surely one can be forgiven for making such a mistake? Even in the seriousness of the error, assuming it is a once off and an accident as explained. As a previous commenter said, what will quitting resolve? You should continue on with your positive message.

July 6th and a prayer was sustained to the Father and His son…
They power of creation works in mysterious ways for those who believe in the true and rightful God and heir to the throne of the universe.
We Love you Neale. It is time for a season of reflection within your own heart regarding all that you have experience here.
For to mislead the innocent is a sin against God and His son. But to continue so after being told the truth with it being ignored, is an even a greater one.
My suggestion is that in your period of reflection, you begin to speak to Christ. And I say these things for loves purposes…
For there are no coincidences. Simply the purest form of the Divine coming through when needed.
love always

Neale,
“Illegitimi non carburundum”
And an important message for all:
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/

This is what is known as the communicators trap. In an attempt to do good and appear relevant, another’s story is retold as one’s own in a communicative attempt to be persuasive and immanent. In doing so the communicator usually thinks inwardly, “the ends justify the means.” But they do not, as we find here. In fact at a deeper level of spirituality (with Christ calls truth for us orthodox Christians), the means is as vital as the end and a lie is the violation of communication as adultery is the betrayal of marriage. We all make mistakes and can ask forgiveness. However, forgiveness doesn’t mean that we can continue on the same path. It is betrayal of the trust in the integrity of all else that the person has written and makes every statement dubious at best. Mr Walsch can continue to do good, if that is what he has done, but it shouldn’t be through the avenue of written word teaching for a long season until trust can be restored.

What would Love do now ?
Blessings & Compassion to All
AM

I accept your apology, Neale. Plagiarism is a serious affront to the integrity and creativity of all authors. I, for one, do not believe you intentionally stole Ms. Chand’s story, but appreciate the stand you have taken. Accountability is important.
I’ll deeply miss the friends I’ve met here. I’ll miss their wisdom and their beauty.
I’ll miss the charge I got when I logged on to find you’d posted a new blog. I’ll miss the times I agreed with you. I’ll miss the challenge you afforded me, learning to word my disagreements as politely as I could. You helped me to grow, Neale.
When at last we all meet, it’s going to be a heck of a party.
God is blessing you. God is blessing all of us. The best of Christ Was Love, as Love is the best of all of us.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Neale Walsch has written thousands of pages of material in his life. From being a news reporter, radio host, author, businessman, ghost writer to writing this almost daily blog. All of this material just doesn’t come without Neale doing exactly what he said he did …. saving files for possible future use.
When you add in the fact that Neale is one of the most entertaining
story tellers around – and the fact that he has stood in front of hundreds of thousands [if not millions] of people and told thousands stories – It’s no wonder that something like this could happen.
Having known Neale for over 40 years – Please believe me when i say that there are few if any men as open and transparent as Neale is.
I would stake everything on Neale’s integrity.
That said – let me tell add something here that Neale’s audience may or may not like.
Joe Biden’s plagiarizing was the sign of a sick man – and perhaps at the time he did it – - he was. Hillary Clinton has quite a list too: Very similar to plagiarizing – because it’s all intentional lying
• Chelsea was jogging around the Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. (She was in bed watching it on TV.)
• Hillary was named after Sir Edmund Hillary. (She admitted she was wrong. He climbed Mt. Everest five years after her birth.)
• She was under sniper fire in Bosnia. (A girl presented her with flowers at the foot of the ramp.)
• She learned in The Wall Street Journal how to make a killing in the futures market. (It didn’t cover the market back then.)
• She didn’t know that her brothers were being paid to get pardons that Clinton granted.
• Taking the White House gifts was a clerical error.
• She didn’t know that her staff would fire the travel office staff after she told them to do so.
• She didn’t know that the Peter Paul fundraiser in Hollywood in 2000 cost $700,000 more than she reported it had.
• She opposed NAFTA at the time.
• She was instrumental in the Irish peace process.
• She urged Bill to intervene in Rwanda.
• The billing records showed up on their own.
Lastly – When GW Bush listened to the all of the worlds leading intelligence from The Mossad, All of the UN Security Council [Russian, German, French and other intelligence], China and detailed documents from the Clinton Administration – to determine that Iraq was building more WMD … THAT WAS NOT A LIE !
In fact, if anyone other than GW Bush was in charge – the media would have called it an overwhelming consensus.
Let’s not do to Neale what we did to GW Bush.
This has nothing to do with being conservative or liberal.
It has everything to do with being honest, reasonable and credible.
Thank You,
BLW

On Dec. 28 I also enjoyed very much reading the Christmas story that I didn’t know before.
Many thanks to both Ms Chand and Neale.
May true Forgiveness put into practise help in this case and always among us brothers & sisters growing up together!
Love, AM

Wow.. this is a shock all right. Now its on the NY times too?
Surely, Neale can’t be that stupid to not quote an author if he was indeed copy-pasting stuff. I am sure this mess is serve as a great inspiration for all those involved to redefine their Grandest visions of themselves.
We will all miss your blog, Neale.
Love and Light,
Prasad.

P.S. Neale,
I want you to know that you are more gracious, kinder and more loving than you even know. One day you will. Until then, friend, I bid you adieu!

I do forgive you, but you did break the law and I don’t think the law will be very forgiving.

My friend, you erred, apologized, and ultimately gave due credit. I see no need for any more energy invested into a perceived negative aspect of this experience. The opinions of others with a decidedly more punitive tone may indicate missing out on the real message of this blog…and perhaps the expression of love through the whole of your life’s work (should I call it work?).
If you like blogging, keep blogging (now, to be clear, I’m borrowing from your “pastrami sandwich” example from “The Secret”). This endeavor on your part has thus far been perceived by many, if not all, as worthwhile; and from this being’s perspective, healthy, positive, and catalytic for my continued growth, and ultimately the pure joy of being.
Peace
Dave

Well, you are a wonderful and wonder-full guy, Neale! God grace is fully with you and through you with all of us. It was a great experience being here, and a very loving one.
One day we will all meet each other…well, haven’t we already?
It was really nice spending time with you and all of others writing, co-creating on this blog..it would be great to continue, but I guess this is when our road ends. But will never depart.
We’ve created something together, haven’t we? It can be felt. It will be spread and is to all of the world.
So, I wish you much freedom, that our wings will be spread, flying around to fill every room with light! You were and still are all my angels!
Bye – much much love,
Teja

Not to worry Neale,
you’ve reiterated to us so many times, how we are all one and therefore there is only one Author: God. I see this as a chance to remind ourselves of the constant duality we face between the individual (me, myself, mine) and the universal consciousness. In truth, whether it came from you, me, her, him or them – it’s all coming from the same source, and in the end it really isn’t about where it came from, it’s about the true meaning and power of that particular piece of information, and the positive effect it has on our lives. I see no need to forgive here, but at the same time I understand that there are others who do.
All the best to you in the New Year.
Namaste.

I have daily enjoyed Neale’s wisdom and kind, loving words. I’ve never met him, but through his writing and this post, feel that the anguish and bewilderment over his error is genuine. It’s easy to sit back and judge – I would rather move forward with compassion.
While I feel for the author whose work was plagarized, I am also taken aback by her response. She’s gotten national exposure and an apology, but she’s quoted in Yahoo News as doubting Neale’s statement, effectively calling him a “liar”. I find this odd, considering this hoopla is all over a story about “Christmas love”. Really, is this what Jesus would do?
But I digress. Neale, if you’re reading these posts, know that you are forgiven, you are loved and I remain a loyal and faithful fan. It’s only human to make mistakes. The true test of character is owning up to them and doing all you can to make things right. Certainly, you’ve done that.

I just found this blog very recently and I certainly hope that Mr. Walsch will continue his blogging.
Stuff happens, and he apologized for it, do you think we can show some forgiveness?
The only reason why I come to beliefnet.com is to read Mr. Walsch’s blog.
I hope that you keep blogging.
With love,
Denise

Neale, my heart sank when I heard about this. I had read the original post, had thought it sounded familiar, and Googled it. Sure enough, it wasn’t your own experience. However, I just thought an introduction to it had been inadvertently chopped off. I didn’t think anything of it.
Now that I’ve learned that you thought the experience was yours, I am even more keenly aware of the failings of the mind, especially as we grow older. Just recently, I saw a couple of movies I hadn’t seen in years. I was convinced, absolutely convinced, that I remembered a particular scene a certain way. To my astonishment, both movies proved me wrong. I was astonished at how I could remember something so clearly that hadn’t happened. And yes, your experience goes beyond that, but in one sense, it’s no different. I, too, have wondered occasionally whether I have actually experienced something in the past or if I am just imagining I did. The older one gets, the more this makes sense.
The worst part if that your reputation has been tarnished and now your critics have ammunition to use against you. I hate that. I too am a published author—and was honored to include a story by you in my last book—and I have been bracing myself for attacks once my next book on spirituality comes out. Any time you mention the word God in public, you will be attacked, sometimes viciously, and there will always be a segment of the public who will be rooting for your downfall. And yet we press on, because it is the work that is important, not us.
This is just a small blip in the grand scheme of things, Neale, and yet it looms larger than it should be. You are a good man, you have a good heart, you have done God proud, and I believe in your integrity as strongly as I ever have.
Blessings be,
Phil Bolsta
bolstablog.com
Author of “Sixty Seconds: One Moment Changes Everything” (www.sixtysecondsbook.com)

Neale…- Please fell free to go on experiencing JOY right NOW…In YOUR/ALL our lives. Maybe this Cristian Stuff is proving JUST HOW VERY intractable they are at being ‘Right” and unforgiving during someones simple mishap. Esp. speaks volumes about the original author who sought to rattle the rafters and be so very fragile about her own stuff. This Blog Site has provided me w/ plenty of enjoyment and HOPE for the FUTURE… Many good people are interested in what and how you view living as spirits having a HUMAN EXPERIENCE> PS. In keeping w/ the christmas theme…: here goes… 1. SANTA / SATAN -both have the exact same letters, -just rearranged a bit. 2. Both have oddball sidekicks… -’Minions’ w/Satan + -Elves w/Santa. 3. Both descend into a fire pit of some sort.(Santa=Chimney/Satan=Hell fire) 4. they both wear RED!!! 5. They both cause undue stress… Santa creates a unhealthy lust for expensive material gifts amoung the impressionalble which you must finance w/ your life blood. Satan who creates a unhealthy lust for greedy aquistions which you pay for w/ your soul.. 6. Finally, -you never see them photgraphed together! (hey, -They could be One in the SAME person!) That’s just how i see this whole Christmas CRAP. AND the uncompassionate response to your mini-flub is PAR for the Christian COURSE! Sorry that happed to you Neale. I’m hoping join the messsengers circle soon. Your Friend Anna/Pharfel

Should there be credit for ownership of words arranged into a story?
What ownership? Who’s ownership?
There is nothing new under the sun Neale.
There never has been.
There is only all that there ever was and all that there ever will be.
If it comes from a thought from someone; somewhere within the perception of over there, then it has previously been thought of; so the question remains as to who could own a thought in the first place were it not for the perception in this illusion of ownership we all seem to share.
There is nothing new in the ether; all thoughts circulate among all minds everywhere.
This has been demonstrated time and time again.
The problem here is that in this illusion we have created the perception of ownership and then added in attorneys and copy rights for good measure.
We are merely the custodians of all that there is and not the owners.
Alas Neale! There is no harm and no foul except to the egos involved.
You are a writer and I am a pilot and we both fly all the time while neither of us invented flight we each may use it freely.
No one invented thought and I defy anyone outside the illusion we live in to demonstrate that they have.
Although history has it that Al Gore did invent and publish the “Internet.”
I am wondering, however, if you had not offered to discontinue your blog over at belief.net if those geniuses would have extended their graciousness and not actually shortsightedly asked for your resignation?
I have yet to read anything by numerous authors on their site that actually have any completely original ideas involved.
Even Socrates borrowed from his predecessors in many of his thoughts.
Who cares now anyway?
The Bible is so fooked up we no longer respect or revere much of what was written in it by the now nameless and faceless; let alone the mysteries of the Quran that plague us every day of our life now.
Who knows?
All is now water under the bridge as all things go and good thoughts become, with us humans.
You are a good man Charlie Neale Brown and don’t you ever forget it.

Neale,
Who you were 10 years ago, 10 months ago, 10 days ago, or even 10 minutes ago is not who you are now…….unless you declare it so. Shame, guilt and regret will only create more of it. In this eternal moment you have the golden opportunity of recreating yourself in the “grandest version of the greatest vision……”
Accept that who you “were” created this. How else was God supposed to get the information that you have been asking for to your attention? Accept the gift of reflection and use it to choose differently now. Stand up, dust off and KEEP GOING. Shine ever brightly. ?
“I hope that she will accept my personal deep regret that such a thing occurred”
Remember, you do not need her forgiveness. The only forgiveness/acceptance you ever need is your own. If you could have done better you would have. That is the simple, undeniable and self-evident truth. Realize this truth and the truth of your perfection in this moment, and you will be free.
Infinite Love,
Howard
http://www.2minutesoftruth.blogspot.com/

If not for this error, I would not have come upon these mindblowing words at this time. I bought Neals’s books years ago, and they helped so much in my time of need. Then, Life (or I) threw one too many curveballs for me and I deverged from the path for a while.
I hope the original writer has it within her to accept Neale’s humble apology. Based on what he’s done over the years and how he’s asked for people to name sources if they knew, it sounds like perhaps she could. After all, to err is human and to forgive Divine. If we all have the power of God within us than we can forgive. I forgive a man I’ve never met who helped transform my life in the last 4 hours and in the past. Please come back Neale!

Hi Renee – message for you at the end.
BW In Wisc – Thanks for sharing from your personal knowledge
Hello all -
I have read loads of Neale’s material.
Neale is constantly giving credit to other authors – and goes out of his way to inform where he “picked up” things.
I hope Candy will realize that Neale would have literally thanked “other authors” perhaps hundreds of times in his career – if he was stealing material.
Also – Neale is like a radio talk show host that spends 4 hours a day on the air. No matter how much integrity that host may have – there’s going to be time when that host “slips up” and unintentionally says something that isn’t very nice or false.
Renee this error has happened right now at this moment – for many reasons – one of them is for you to e-mail me at ImSoulDeep@Gmail.com.

I absolutely cant believe that every letter on this forum is either accepting this story or no caring, claiming the free flow of all that is as some kind of exit door.
To have clouded memories of minor events or traumatic events is one thing. To remember in detail a story this unique involiving your own child is incomprehensible. Even as I have aged I cant conceive this as true unless someone was senile. Please people, you are wading into this wanting desperately or already deciding you are going to accept anything he says, or just, frankly, not care.
To have anything negative to say about this woman is absurd. Again, as you have all stated, she is a relative nobody- he a world famous millionaire. Just imagine you sitting at home and seeing your uncredited work, word for word, used in this fashion.. and with the first paragraph intentionally deleted?? Think people, think. These are the actions of an active writer with a very sharp mind. His own son in the story? I would be extremely skeptical of this no matter who was saying it.
Final thought: Any time a high profile public person is caught in a lie and their response is ‘I dont remember’ you should send a huge red flag up the pole. If you have not learned this lesson in the last 8 years we may all be doomed.

Good Grief…we love you..you did no harm…lighten up…really…my love from Lively Las Vegas…Elta

How wonderful that all of you Christians can slap each other on the back and forgive the plagiarist with such ease as you smother him with agape-driven hugs and “oh cheer up now Jesus still loves you” sermonettes.
However, in the real, cold, hard world that your numerous bumper stickers “NOTW” claim you are thankfully not a part of (of *course* I see them – you cut me off on the freeway and give me the finger virtually every morning commute!), some of us filthy greasy heathen with our filthy greasy need for mammon have to work for a living and some of us filthy disgusting sinners do so by writing.
So when some holier-than-the-rest-of-us-because-Jesus-made-me-forget THIS DIDN’T REALLY HAPPEN TO ME *thief* steals our words, they steal money from us. And food from the mouths of our children.
What? Your Jesus didn’t inform you of this while you were praying, “Lord, I am so glad I am not like that publican”?
Please, stop falling all over each other to be the next person to forgive Mr. Popular Story Thief without giving a second thought to those he steals from. You continue to misrepresent your God when you do so.
Jesus wept.

Wow. I had to do a double-take after reading this on Yahoo news. You know, I read tons of books on spiritual subject matters, and on a couple of occasions have given sermons at Church, plan on going to seminary, etc. And I’ve always wondered (worried) about how do other people keep all the information straight in their heads? I worry about getting to a point to where you can’t be sure if an idea is original to yourself, or weather you read it somewhere long ago and it just happened to re-surface from your subconscious.
I had this happen to me once when I came up with a name for a landscape company I had. I was taking a shower one day and thought I had some brilliant stroke of genius on picking a name. So I told a few people about it, only to find out it was obviously derived (it was close, but not exact, so still usable) from someone I worked with! Now I totally had forgotten what he called his company, but I know he told me the name and showed me a business card about 6 months before. It just slipped into my subconscious, only to re-appear in a way to make me feel like a dork. Luckily he didn’t mind, he just laughed at me. And in my pathetic example, we are only talking months…not years as the case is with Neale! I can just imagine the affect would be exaggerated that much more.
I guess to make a long story short (too late!) I can completely see how something like this would happen. And feel so bad that it happened to Neale in this instance. As “Your Name” said in the above comments on Jan 6th at 8:40: “This phenomenon is well-known in police investigations and psych experiments have proven that the mind is susceptible to just this kind of false memory.”
I feel for you Neale. You are an inspiration for many and I hope will be that for a long time to come.
Peace,
Chris Rudolph

Before everyone gets offended by my post, as it is such a black sheep here I just want to say one quick comment. This does not mean I believe Neale is a bad person and/or has not contributed greatly to the literary world with original work. It just means that none of us know the truth about what happened. And to just believe without question his fairly improbable story- then to discredit the original author because she is offended and may not believe him is really not independent and critical thinking.
There are just as many dark places this kind of thing can emanate from inside Mr. Walsch as there are in each of us. Myself included. Integrity is everything.
Respectfully,
Greg the guy

Enough already with the pigeonholing of the tired old ‘GW this, Republitard/Demoncrat rabble. No one here wants to hear that. Please stay on point and drop the anger. This is likely a moderated board and you will likely just get yourself banned.
Settle down a bit and state your case with some dignity. I get dirty and greasy for work too, but I am not angry at the world about my lot. Read my followup post above about the blogger in question.

This is the biggest load of BS I’ve read in quite a long time. Just admit you ripped the woman off and move on. It is funny though how baffled you’re pretending to be.

Michelle (from January 6, 2009 7:18 PM),
You have got to be kidding! That reverse analogy was spot-on. Chand has just as much cause to be as upset over this as Walsch would if someone had lifted from his work. You supported your position with two logical fallacies (appeals to authority & popularity). Plagiarism is plagiarism, no matter who does it. The one at the top can plagiarize just as easily as the one at the bottom. If you think Chand had motive, then provide evidence, not conjecture. I’m not taking a position for or against Walsch, but I have to call BS when I see it.
Another thing, Michelle, there was a time when Mr. Walsch had only written ten stories. At that time, was he also (using your logic) the one who stood to gain (by plagiarizing, that is)?

Forgivness is not needed here,from anyone,Neales books have changed my life or shall I say clarified my life. Neales words have allowed me to finally remember who I really am and move forward after many years of aimless wandering.I get it, I understand this and it does not change anything for me…..I love you Neale and Thank you from every part of my being….

That lady who threatened you should not have a monopoly on the story and she should have been big enough to let it go after you made your formal apology. what a world we live in when a person can’t make a honest mistake without being publically chastised. This is not what Christianity, Judaism or Islam teach.

I wrote no such “Republitard” stuff.
You are so busy spewing your vindictive threatening responses you aren’t keeping simple track of who wrote what.
I am not angry at the world about my lot-my lot is fine and dandy thank you. I am angry that some smarmy Christian stole and doesn’t have the spine to admit it.
Do try to keep up.

Mario, mario. Before you play jury, knowing nothing of the case, keep in mind this man could be both a thief and, now, a liar.
Just suppose, for a minute, that he had a change of heart tomorrow and confessed to not only taking this as his own, but numerous others over the years. How would you feel then?
Be careful who you let off the hook just because of the personal gain you have received from them- weather those gifts be money, favors or a door to new perspective.

Let it go Neale, you did your best to make it right. She experienced the connection and being acknowledged through you, not to you. Just say so be it, and have a nice day/days.
Blessings,
Linda

I’ve wondered for a long time just when Neales message would be considered too dangerous for the unseen powers that try to rule our world. Accusing him of dirty tricks in the NY Times just seems like a classic attempt to dis credit him.
You cant fall for this people, please, open your eyes.
Neale, be strong on this, dont let the monolithic, hard-to-define, selfish fascists and their whipping boy, bastard-press organisations win. They have defeated so many of our messengers of truth in the past, don’t be another one.
Its been coming a long time, you must have realised this?
Who gives a sh*t who wrote the story? The message is still the same, it is tragically ironic to me that a story such as this could cause such an outrage, all because of ‘legality’.
It gives me pains in my chest.
You saved me from suicide Neale. I read this blog constantly, I removed myself from the hustle bustle of life for 6 weeks to slowly read Happier than God at your suggestion. I have people dear to me who have transformed their lives through the act of me sending them copies of your work to them from Amazon.com. Show us your next move, I know it will be inspiring.
Fred, fröjd och kärlek till dig och hela världen också!

Very unfortunate circumstances. I hope it was truly an oversight and you can move on and develop more real words from real life situations.
Apology has been made and accepted. Learn from the experience, move on and don’t dwell.
Forgiveness starts with forgiving yourself first.

After all. It is just a story. I could have made it up.

I’m feeling disappointed at the moment, and I;m not sure what to make of all this. I have only been coming here a few weeks, have loved reading the blogs and comments, and decided one day I would join in. So here I am
About 2 months ago I read the first “Conversations with God” for the first time, and I have just finished reading it for the fourth time. At first, I wondered if it was all true, or just another so-called prophet out to delude the world. As I kept reading, though, I thought, I don’t really care. I have taken so much from the CwG that my life changes for the better daily. I’ll keep reading Neale’s words, whether from his books, or a blog somewhere else. I don’t care if this was an accident or not. I’ll take what I need from his words.
Annie

As a big fan and supporter of Neale Donald Walsch, I just had to weigh in after learning about this on Yahoo news.
Have people forgotten that Neale Donald Walsch is the author of more than 20 bestselling books over the course of almost 15 years? Add to that countless essays, podcasts, videos and yes, blogs that are viewed daily by millions of people the world over. If Neale were a career plagiarist, don’t you think he would’ve been caught by someone, somewhere by now?
I’m not defending stealing anyone else’s intellectual property at all. I’m a musician and professional songwriter so I’m kinda familiar with intellectual property rights. All I’m saying is that someone as widely read as Neale Donald Walsch is under much more of a microscope and would therefore be more mindful of being accused of using someone else’s work because the very accusation would be extremely bad for business.
Another point. If Neale is in fact guilty of plagiarism, does that automatically discount the messages found withing the pages of his more than 20 published, bestselling books? Neale has said on several occasions that he hopes the messages won’t be discounted because they are coming from such a fallible messenger.
Neale, you’re still square in my book.
Jeff Celentano
http://www.myspace.com/jeffcelentano

Dear Neal,
This is the first time I react on this blog, after reading all of them
( and read all of your books, and own most of them )
Please don’t feel ashamed because the human mind really can play tricks on you. I belief in you and you sincerity, please don’t give
up on us and let us continue this wonderul messages.
Anyway, whatever you will decide, thanks form the bottom of my heart
for all the wisdom and kindness I received from you over the years.
Love and light from The Netherlands !!!!!
Namasté

Not even the air that we breathe is ours; nothing belongs to us save our responsibility how we treat all that we graciously are given to administrate, be this a thing, thought, idea, money, land, food, or resources.
There is nothing new under the sun and to claim ownership over any thing is a sign of a mind that still has a far way to come in understanding that it is only a tiny part of the big grand whole and merely is discovering things that always have existed.
This latest incident shows us all clearly where we as a whole stand in our spiritual evolution; we still have a far way to come, for we still claim ownership over that which we believe to have discovered, not realising that everything existed already long before our tiny minds recognised that it has always been there.
We create laws and copyrights and in peaceful times fight each other with those tools in our courtrooms and if that does not bring the world on its knees we reach out for our weapons and destroy everything that is not willing to grant us sole ownership over that what which never can be ours for it always has been ours.
And then when one man wakes up from this madness and realises that there are many things in his mind that are whole and good and beautiful and that have arrived into his mind from another’s mind, we stone him whilst he reaches out for his highest truth and opens up his realisations for all to see.
The next step in our human evolution may well be transparency, but it may be a long time until the world can see the few who are evolved enough and brave enough to reveal it, for we first must muddle through the ocean of countless fingers pointing in accusation at those very few.
Clean and holy must those souls be who feel they have the right to accuse a man who dares to admit that not all in his mind is solely his, but I look at this man for inspiration and think to myself that this and more can I also do and I thank this man for being a unique example for our next step as a whole, and for lightening up my own personal new way, namely that of transparency.
All I can say is; thank you Neale.
Snædís

The fact is, he truly slipped with the wrong story. Really slipped with the wrong story…
For it is he that is un-accepting of the whole. You are speaking to the man that wishes for everyone not to believe that Christ is real. He never acknowledges Him accept for in death… And he tried to claim That story as his own? Further enforcing his desire.
Which is not worthy of a truly spiritual messenger.
You are forgiven, but you do not deserve to be an author that moves hearts if you steal others works and cut others down!
period. Total law over total freedom…
love always

This probably couldn’t have happened at a more perfect time. It was written in the CWG material for Neale to do something that would ‘despecialise’ him from making people believe he is any closer to god than the rest of us. And so i think plagiarising fits the bill perfectly lol

I personally forgive you Neale.
But you need to realize, as many people as you have helped, you have also hurt. You have hurt a community that has done nothing to you, you tear it down which is what you have been attempting to do for years. And it simply isn’t o.k. For in your own words, this community that is still very real and very strong, has been assigned the meaning you gave it – and in my own words I will add, not necessarily what is true…
You plagarized a story that is from the community you have been not working with, but against.
love always

I for one, believe in your sincerity and innocence in this matter. Many years ago Scientific American published an article on the kind of tricks memory can play on one – which is to say, how inaccurate it can be. In one experiment, a woman was shown a half-completed triangle. Six months later (!) she was asked to reproduce the triangle which she did, but she drew a completed triangle, believing that this was what was shown to her six months earlier. I am very disappointed to read that the offended author does not believe you. Proof of you innocence lies in the fact, as you pointed out, that how could you possibly hope ‘to get away with it on a website read by hundreds of thousands of people hourly’.
I have no doubt of your innocence. Your books inspired me, and I hope you continue to inspire people, many of them in need.

Dearest Neale,
None of us can tell you anything you don’t already know. But we can offer our support (as you’ve done for us so many times, in so many ways).
Neale, I trust both your sincerity and integrity.
You ‘expose’ yourself to our world on a daily basis. How many of us can say the same?
You weren’t guaranteed anything when you started, yet with great courage and faith you did so anyway, and have continued to do so regardless of your material successes or outside criticisms.
As a result, your message of love and light has touched more lives than many of us have ever dreamed of.
That’s why ‘millions’ of people admire You. You’re a real person like us, only you’ve chosen to live your life from a place of ‘love’ not fear. You’re a living example of who We can be (no matter who we are).
You’re strong enough to rise above this Neale, because what you’ve found inside is far greater. Let it shine.
God will handle the rest.
Much love,
Matt

Sense of guilt is enemy of human being, so as fear is. Your Books say this. Now You want to stop making Your great blog, blog that is so priceless, becouse sense of guilt???
NO!
If You quit, You will act against Yourself. You teach, that eaven Hitler went to Heaven, and You want to stop Your blog-work becouse of mistake? So, sense of guilt is a winner? Please, do not do anything against what You teach us! Read Your own book again! If You will say “No” to this blog, You will say “Yes” to everything, that You wanted to say “No” to.
It is a moment for a deed… Is this action – leaving this blog – what You Really Are??? You want to run away? I do not belive, that You do. We have community here, it can not be destroyed like this!
Besides – THERE ARE NO MISTAKES, THERE ARE ONLY POSSIBILITIES! Use this “mistake” as a tool of creation, say “NO” to sense of guilt, otherwise You will do against what You teach.
This is great blog, very importand, and I would like to still be here:)
THERE ARE NO MISTAKES.
Do You know, what I felt, when I read about this mistake? Before I read about Your reaction,
I felt – really – “Wow, how great! This “mistake” only shows THAT WE ARE ONE! How great example it is! Neale choose to have someone’s thought like it was his own! Becouse it was!”
I REALLY felt JOY about it!
It’s fantastic gift! Your thoughts are mine! Merging into one! It was piece of God’s nature! Revealed to You in this golden moment! I envy You:)
And now You want to destroy part of Your work, becouse of this miracle, that You see as a mistake???
Nothing happens by chance, God gave You opportunity to break through sense of guilt, to see where You are, how You react! Do not run away, we really respect You so much, You are great messanger, be sure about it!
You told the truth, great! Now see how interesting this expierence was! Do not miss it! It is a gift!
Do not leave this blog behind, do not turn gift into tool of destruction!
It is our blog too, so do not go away!
IS THAT WHAT LOVE WOULD DO?:)
You are Great Messanger! Do not deny this!
WOULD LOVE DENY?:)
I was born on September 10th too! Listen to me!:))) ) )))

It is called the end justifying the means.
I believe you are dishonoring yourself much worse by making up a story to cover up your tale! Be honest! Your plagiarism itself is evidence you are not telling the truth in your attempt to explain your mistake!
I do not see a sincere apology from you. I did however read something much worse than palgiarism. And that is a disingenuous definition

In response to those that finally bring up Hitler…
It is rightly disgusting.
People, because of an author that has made it ok, support the person who ruined Russia and killed how many?
There is forgiveness, yes. But there are lessons to learn from our past as a human race as well. Covering something of which effected our entire world and its people, allowing the innocent to not be justified by one Gods perfect judgement is simply ugly – For the books and the thoughts within them have allowed people to forget those that have been harmed by other peoples actions.
Actions have real consequences, as is evident by our entire history. There is pure love, but love is a sacred thing that needs to be tempered with actions that will love the love. And safe guarding love, is right and just.
Hitler was not love… And my heart goes to those in Russia and in Germany whom you most likely would offend if they knew you minimized their pain. Stop opening the wound! What happened was wrong… And it isn’t any persons position in this world to make it right for him. That is between Hitler and God.

Shoe from the Other Foot,
No, I am not kidding. A false analogy occurs when someone attempts to persuade an audience of a particular thesis using two insufficiently parallel cases. You compared the case of a well known, well published author to the case of a lesser known, lesser published author in an attempt to argue the thesis that the motive to “plagiarize” would be equivalent in both cases.
I was in no way attempting to suggest anything specific about Chand’s character, her capability as an author, or her possible motive in coming forward with the story. As I said before, I do not know her and I have only just now read her Christmas story, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
My post was merely addressing the fallacy of your argument. Logically speaking, while it is possible to argue that a lesser known, lesser published author might consider plagiarizing in an attempt to gain publicity or cash, it is not plausible to argue that a well known, well established author would do so. Obviously, Neale needs neither publicity nor cash.
I can’t help but notice a great irony here– a contradiction between the whole “ChristWasLove” theme of Chand’s story and the now absence of an attitude of forgiveness–which was not merely an attitude, but the fundamental teaching of Christ himself.
Michelle

It has been proven that memory is not reliable and that the mind can easily make up memories given the right set of circumstances. No biggie.

Ego’s wrestling in the confines of this time and space is of little consequence it seems, considering 6 months from now none will remember the supposed inequity.

So if I bumped into you without realizing and you then let me know I did, and then I apologize immediately, does that mean i need to stop walking?

As a fellow writer I think you are making the right decision by ending the blog. You are a smart and engaging writer but this mistake–intentional or not–has compromised the blog and the public’s trust in your words. Call me old school, but I think ending the blog is also a sign of respect to Ms. Chand and an act–not just a statement–that shows that you are truly contrite.

Dear Neale,
This must have been an incredibly difficult decision for you, and I applaud your integrity in offering to end your blog. Having said that, I hope Beliefnet and Ms. Chand will appreciate your candor, accept your apology, and encourage you to continue. Your posts have been a tremendous gift to so many people. It would be a shame to deprive your readers of your insights because of an honest mistake.
Whatever happens, thank you many, many times over for the gift you’ve given me. Your work has been a Godsend in every sense.

Hi Neale
We all make errors. Here are my 2 cents.
Blogging is catering to a hungry world. Hungry for something new. Any repetition on media is calling for suicide. The world of media only survives on one thing, something new. Well then you gotta churn up new stuff (I mean written differently). You then have to also continually think in that direction.
Now I initially made a picture of you as a teacher, not a writer (just as I think of Dr Brian Weiss as a spiritual teacher and not a psychiatrist). So here is what I have to say with regards to that and I may wrong but nevertheless……
I took notes from a fantastic professor in my 2nd year university and absolutely loved him, he explained with so much clarity. Now his notes don’t change over time, then what changes. The students.
He teaches a new set of students who need to graduate from that course, to take further courses in 3rd year and so on and so forth. Actually he had his stuff so thoroughly memorized that he would first just come and write on the board and then patiently explain.
You will be surprised that so many out there actually need to understand the CWG. Why not just lecture around with stuff already written. With as many books as you have written, it should be a material to teach a lifetime. Forget about churning new stuff and teach with what you have already written. To those who need it. I am the one on one kinda guy. Even in university never really cared about the courses offered on TV and loved the classroom effect. Just lecture around……
All the very very best what ever it is that you choose to do. My cousin who is now in an advanced state of yoga still recommends your book to everyone he meets to get started on the spiritual path.
Lastly I would like to thank you for CWG and especially the little soul and the sun parable.

What a bunch of sheep you all are. no wonder Jim Jones could convince so many people to drink the koolaid, plenty of blind followers out there.
He stole someone else’s material and passed it on as his own. He did NOT admit to his wrongdoing until he was caught. Gimme a break.
Wonder what God will tell him during their next “converstation.” What a bunch of nonsense.
Have some koolaid on me.

Ideas may not be ‘new’ – but they are also not copyrightable.
A story is copyrightable. Words, how they are threaded together, make the idea ‘unique’ in the way it is presented. These words are copyrightable.
For those who say Chand’s story could be anyone’s. Well, the experience may be similar, but her unique words make it hers. And copyrighted.
Further for all the authors: if you take snippets of something you read to keep for further reference/use – you’d well be putting down EXACTLY where you found it, and by whom.
Finding inspiration from anothers’ work is fine – by not giving credit is not. As an author, I would never take something from my ‘inspiration’ folder and fold it into my own experience/words – unless I can give the credit. If you read it – assume it’s copyrighted and do the right thing. It’s not that hard.
If your folder contains items you cannot source – DO NOT USE IT. Repeat – DO NOT USE IT.
As technology contracts our world – it is far easier to find ‘our’ words being used by others. Ask Google.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this blog – and if there’s a way for BeliefNet to continue it, great. But as I do not know the entire story of this ‘story’ and how it all came to light – I understand policies have to be followed. And as an author – we must be protected.

Neale wrote, “I am embarrassed to say that her story and the “anecdote” that I attributed to my own life have apparently the exact same wording except for my personal introductory sentences.”
I don’t know about that, as it seems that Ms Chand’s introduction in her published story references that she cut back on non-essential obligations – extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating…
So I guess that when someone sent you the story, and/or when you cut and pasted it to your own computer Neale, that the reference to card writing, baking and so on was accidentally omitted? That is unfortunate, as with that reference included in your own version, it may have triggered your memory that the story wasn’t your own.
Many of the comments put forward here suggest that with your publishing success and prestige, that you wouldn’t have need to plagiarize. I don’t think that need is a predominant factor however. There are many people who do something not because they need to, but because they think or know that they can, until their actions are brought to light.
Ms Chand has her own reputation as an author to protect, and it is no more insignificant that yours Neale. Her words in various publications will have undoubtedly brought a sense of hope to many, and any question of her validity or personal integrity could therefore come as a crushing blow to some. In speaking out, she has very likely reinforced a collective desire for personal integrity and truth to be embraced, and I am grateful to her for that, as I am to you for choosing to print a public apology.

Loftus et al study on eye witness tesimony proved long ago that the mind can create false memories. Yes Neale made a mistake, the kind of mistake that any human being alive routinely makes but under the kind of circumstances that involve heavy consequences.
I greatly admire Neale’s integrity.

this was written on a blog, a discussion for crying out loud… people casually discussing things. He’s not financially benefitting from it. He’s trying to inspire people! And what about all the other parents, teachers at the so-called winter celebration? Are THEY allowed to tell the story or must they quote someone else because she owns the words? Who owns words? If a book is copyrighted, do we have to quote someone everytime we say the words “The, I, you, me, and, of….” What about if we say something like “God Bless America” or “Let there be Peace on Earth” or “The ocean is healing to the soul” or tell a story about a historical event?
Its clear Miss Chand would like to be known as an “AUTHOR” but let’s not mistake her for Christian.

Good one, susan but I must disagree with you. She’s a perfect example of a Christian. Here is Christianity:
God loves you. You must bow before him and pay homage to him. If you screw up, he will say depart from me you worker of iniquity, he will show no mercy and destroy you.
So therefore as a Christian, I love you. You must bow before my ego and pay homage to me. If you screw up, I will publicly humiliate you, show no mercy and destroy you (with God’s blessing).
I think Walsch is going to be useful in blowing Christianity’s cover wide open. Watch closely and you’ll get to see its true colors. Christianity is the “Wolf in sheep’s clothing” and you “know them by their fruits”. When the chips are down, their claws come out. However, you are supposed to know Jesus’ followers “by their love”. And by the way those quotes are from the Bible’s New Testament. (You think God would mind if I left that part out?)

Dear Mr. Walsch,
We are all one, we all share the same God, soul, higher power, illusions and experiences – you personalized with the experience because it IS yours. We are all raindrops falling into the ocean – the ocean is God – we are not individuals, although our egos (which rule the body) would like us to believe so.
Remember….Hitler went to Heaven.
Ms. Chand’s ego is out of control. Her screaming of “Mine, mine, mine!” is the epitomy of this selfish materialistic world.

Do you seriously believe that God played a trick with your mind?
No trick, no gimmick its called misinterpretation a product of evolution!
Mature! Accept there is no God as there is no Santa Claus!

Anyone saying that his story is unbelievable has obviously never taken a general psych class, or failed to retain the information learned therein. Failure to retain information would be discussed in the chapter about memory. Also found in this chapter would be the very common issue of false or distorted memories. Let’s review a common type of false memory that almost everyone has experience with:
You are told about an event and later think you can remember the event, even if that isn’t the case. This often occurs when children (or even adults who don’t realize the limitations of memory) believe they remember an event that they couldn’t possibly remember, either from not being physically present, or from being too young. This was proved by a study in which parents or older siblings told younger siblings, in vivid detail, about a supposed event that took place. The event was fabricated, but when questioned at a later date, the younger children often insisted that the event really had taken place.
What has occurred in this situation with Neale is obviously a similar case. A file was saved several years ago and, after most likely having been read several times, the story was ingrained as autobiographical in nature. It isn’t at all hard to fathom for anyone who retained information from their general psych class or from a book read on knowledge and memory.
The true tragedy in this story is not that someone accidentally plagiarized another author, but that because the original author was so focused on herself and getting credit, that the entire message of the story is lost because people are so focused on the scandal of it all. How very sad. I can’t imagine the saints in heaven fighting over someone else getting credit for a certain book of the bible… and do you know why? Because it’s the message that matters. Christ is Love! This is not an original concept. God is the master author of this message and he uses many different authors to get the message out. It’s too bad Candy Chand didn’t see that.

Apples and oranges – the plagiarism (puported) and Christian thinking.
The story was written and copyrighted. Not giving the proper credit is not legal. That’s one reason to copyright your work with the Copyright office. If you don’t, your work is copyrighted to a degree (as it is written down) but you cannot go to court for damages etc., UNLESS you pay the fee to the LOC.
Any other person at the pageant years ago had similar experiences but did not write the story. They can. They can go write their own story. They can tell their own story. But if the RECITE/use Chand’s – it’s not their story, it’s hers.
Why is this so difficult for some here to understand/accept?
It’s not about being Christian. This is about the law.
Why is it people play the race/religion card when things aren’t to their liking? It’s like the whole Burris situation: it’s not because he’s black – it’s because there is doubt that the person who appointed him can appoint at this time. Something about laws and all…
Apples/oranges.

One thing that strikes me is that networks that are about Oneness and forgiveness like the beliefnet, they preach it for others to apply, but do not practice it.
I would like to see a note to Neale that grands him the forgiveness he asks, having admitted that he did make a mistake. After all this is something that we all might have done at some point in time so “let the sin-less throw the first stone”.
I think that this would inspire the audience much more than any past story telling
Love and light to you all
Dimitra

Neale,
I respect any decision you make but I encourage you to ponder a little further on this one.
Is this what “works”?
Is it in the best interest of the One “Self”?
Remember, in The New Revelations God said to use all our technology to change the world’s beliefs: This blog is such technology – and it’s changing lots of beliefs.
This reminds of the end of book three when you said it was the part of you that was Nancy that thought of “the best question in the book”.
Bless us all.
George

I would like to add my personal experience with Neale.
I went to a workshop he had. I expected to see the typical exalting of a speaker that normally occurs at such things. Instead, he sat with us, and gave each of us his personal attention. He asked some of us to move our seats so he could see us and we could see him. When he spoke, he asked if there were any questions and made sure to answer it fully before moving on. Then asked us what each of us needed help with. The day was devoted to US. He personally helped each of us through our own personal thing. He was kind, gentle and caring with each of us. He was also in alot of pain because he had fallen and injured his back. But he didn’t complain about it and he didn’t cancel the event. But the biggest thing was that people were finding resolution and inspiration for the most difficult and traumatic things in their lives. And at the forefront of all of this was Neale… not talking down to any of us, not acting superior or like a “Master” but someone who cares. And to one of us who had struggled with depression and suicide attempts and had no income, he was so kind and fatherly and asked this person to attend the 4 day retreat as his gift for free. It was like a family gathering.
People are nasty. They say things they know nothing about. They make judgments to suit their own purposes. Neale is a good-hearted person. His wisdom and humor and light goes way beyond some simple anecdotal glip. I will miss Neale’s blogs and the encouragement they’ve brought everyday. And I will miss talking to my blogmates here… Deb! I really enjoyed your insight and will miss it. And so many others of you as well. Blessings to all. PEACE to ALL.

I am just astounded at the lack of sympathy being extended to the real victim here: Ms. Chand. All the pity seems to be reserved for the plagarist that got caught. Don’t get me wrong, I think Mr. Walsch’s apology is ample & it could very well have been nothing more than an honest mistake. Unfortunately, in the end it was, at best, a MASSIVE honest mistake in the world of writing, where your words are your legacy as well as your source of income. Actually, I bet Neale himself would strongly object to the cries that there is no such thing as intellectual property, considering that that’s exactly how he makes his money.
As I understand it, Mr. Walsch is not being forced to quit the blog, but rather he saw that volunteering to leave was the only gesture that might salvage some of his credibility, and Beliefnet accepted the offer in order to protect theirs. As others have already said, even accidents have consequences; there’s no need to make a martyr out of anyone.

Ms. Chand missed the point to her own story. I find her response to this annoyingly arrogant and completely devoid of “God’s love”. I don’t think that your blunder should result in the cancelation of your blog. Everyone can make mistakes. She, however, I find to be a complete disappointment.

dear apples and oranges,
are you saying that the law supercedes christianity?
if you are a christian you can excuse your unforgiveness and unlovingness and self exaltation and behind the guise of legal issues?
interesting! back in the old days some bible guys faced lions and whatnot rather than go against God’s righteousness.
is this the kind of thing that Jesus the Christ would do? If so, I’d think that there is hell to pay in the courts of heaven for plagerizing him to benefit religious organizations.
thanks for clearing that up.

Your Name:
“the real victim here: Ms. Chand”
Please. She is not a victim. She was virtually unheard of before this. If anything, she is lucky Neale made this mistake.

she’s a victim? LOL if she really gave a rip about getting the message of the message out she wouldn’t be making a stink about it being hers. She’s just revealing her true motivation. It wasn’t to tell people that Christ Was Love but to make money off of Christ’s message. Repulsive. If she’s a victim, she’s a victim of her own greed and ego.

no religion:
I’m saying apples/oranges.
There are consequences when one does an incorrect act. And if the act involves a legal issue/precedent, then one should be bound by same.
This isn’t about the ‘Christian’ thing to do.
As an author, I am surprised and saddened to see so many postings saying Chand is somehow in the wrong. She is not. And I do not know how this all came about (none of us here do) – how it was handled from the beginning. We do know the outcome. But if someone took my words, and used them without giving credit – I’d be rather miffed. For some, this is our life – our bread and butter. I don’t know the author’s circumstances – but I can sympathize.
I have every right to expect my original work (and yes it is original) to be mine. So does every writer. We share it. We want there to be discussion – but not without credit. I live in a society governed by laws.
As to the insults you threw out – I have nothing to forgive. It was not something ‘done to me.’ I have already stated I will miss this blog (you might want to reach back and read…). I don’t claim to be able to forgive someone for something not done to me.
Turning this into some religious witch hunt isn’t exactly christian, now is it? Chand is not to blame. She can forgive NDW. BeliefNet has a stake in possibly forgiving – if there is something to forgive. I don’t know what happened between the parties.
Those who feel NDW did something to them – they can forgive.

In my view, neither Mr Walsch nor Ms Chand are victims… Ms Chand quite rightly and appropriately stepped up to cite ownership of her work and Mr Walsch publicly apologized.
I have been reading this blog for some time now, and have noticed many of the regular bloggers speaking about Oneness. Yet it seems that whenever the slightest shadow is cast upon Mr Walsch, or indeed, whenever an opportunity presents itself to comment on a particular religious belief, their concept of Oneness goes right out of the window and outright hostility ensues. Integrity, love, forgiveness… wasn’t that the message of CWG? And equally wasn’t that the message of Christ? The message is the same, its what you choose to do with it.

How many more examples of your plagiarism are we going to find? I bet quite a few.

Words like “idiot,” “hypocrite,” and “ignorant fool” get thrown around a lot on message boards so I try to avoid them, but I can’t think of a better description for the people who think Neale is the victim & Ms. Chand is the one who’s out of line here. Perhaps none of these people have ever worked for a living or undertaken a project they were passionate about, but is it really that hard to understand that Ms. Chand was the one who actually had the experience & put the effort into writing about it, while Neale was the one who copied & pasted her words and signed his name to them? He apologized and that’s all well and good, but what’s the deal with demonizing Ms. Chand or calling the theft of her work irrelevant? I’m willing to bet everyone here could see a problem with someone working an eight hour day in a foundry only to have their foreman take credit for their efforts. The foreman could try to make ammends if they wanted, but is there any reason whatsoever to berate the cheated worker for pointing the crime out?
This is the basic outline of what has happened here: Walsch unwittingly steals Chand’s work -> Chand points this out -> Walsh admits actions & apologizes -> Commentors accuse Chand of being unreasonable and un-Christian for wanting credit to be given where credit is due.
To his credit, even Neale recognizes that he is the one guilty of wronging Ms. Chand, not the other way around – I sure hope he pops his head in at some point to set you people straight.

I agree plagiarism is bad, having been grilled in undergrad in practically every course and genuinely seeing that credit should be given where ever it is due. But is this issue that serious that it be reported in the associated press. I guess it is, 113 responses to this and 14 (and 18) to the blog on a more serious issue that has not only claimed lives but is claiming as we speak.
My friend’s roommate did some serious sh** and was expelled from the apartment by him and his other roommates. I inquired (not because I cared but I guess shedenfreud had too strong a pull back then). All he said was
“I will hide his mistakes so that may god hide mine tomorrow, for I am bound to commit one”.
Candy should have e mailed him or something, in my opinion (as seriously he absolutely has nothing to gain) he would have fixed things up. It seems this was circulating on the net for a while without an author
“Several months ago, the following
e-mail appeared in my computer
inbox from an unknown source!
Normally our e-mail filter would have
removed this e-mail as spam, but it didn’t! As
soon as I read it, something I normally would
not have done, I thought, wow, what a wonderful
Christmas story to share with all of you.”
http://www.mcremc.coop/editor/assets/miamicassdec2007.pdf

Calling names and using phrases like “you people” generally exposes the one using these tactics, not the ones of the receiving end.
If you look at the cached version of the blog post, in it’s original form, not only does Ms. Chand ask to be given credit (which she is, immediately) but she also has her friends come over to post comments as well.
Then, in the news articles in which she is interviewed, she basically calls Neale a liar. Neale is not a victim, but neither is Chande.
I keep saying it over and over–this incident can only help Chand–someone many people had never heard of before.

Sorry guys I miss spelt Schadenfreude

To fans of NDW:
It’s over. and you give me one good reason why anyone should be upset by that!

Neale, I think you gotta decide whether you’re a writer or a prophet.
People have been following you like a prophet but now your followers are all in disarray from your having been caught in a lie – at the very least plagiarism, which is a lie of the written word, if not also lying about whether it was an honest mistake or whether you knew what you were doing and just planning on not getting caught.
Either way, putting yourself up as a spiritual messenger (a prophet) holds you to a higher standard. It’s a very high standard, which is one reason why sensible people tend to shy away from it. Few of us, well, none of us except ostensibly Jesus, the Buddha, Mohammed, are able to live up to that kind of test.
An awful lot of the people who look for accessible leaders like yourself to follow are truly in need of guidance and direction, and a great many – not most perhaps but a great many – are fragile, rigid, hurting, prone to absolutism and literalism, and tend to look for simple, directive leadership. That makes those particular folks very, very vulnerable.
So Neale, what have you done?
You’ve been making money on your talents, like any writer would, but you’ve also been making money on your apparently unique and sacred inspiration from God Himself. Hmmm. A lot of money.
I sincerely believe you’ve been given the lesson of humiliation, for not only your own good but for all of us. And you brought it upon yourself, which is usually a real indication of personal relevance. Anyway, the lesson is calling you now to choose.
If you’re a writer, and CwG and all the rest has been a way for you to make money and succeed in the world, inspired by what you yourself have always known if only subconsciously, it behooves you to fess up and make yourself less “holy.” Just be Neale D. Walsch, the writer. This is important in order to undo the betrayal of the people who’d been following you like a prophet within their lifetime.
If you are sincere about being a spiritual messenger, then I think you have to fess up to having made a very more human mistake than you’ve already admitted, if that’s the case, and STOP making vast amounts of wealth through your work.
You cannot serve two masters.
Start setting the fees for your workshops at rates which the poor, as well as the upper middle class and the rich, can afford. Cover your costs but that’s all. Do not charge money for your “Messenger’s Circle,” and donate what ever excess you receive to worthy charities. God knows, a million people in our country could use it today. Make your books and other materials readily available to everyone, not just those who can spend the additional dollar.
With the wealth you’ve accumulated so far you should be able to do that.
And, I might add, be prepared to take the heat that a true modern prophet is going to take, from current religious leaders to truly unbalanced individuals who will cling to you like a slippery rock in a bad sea.
But either way, get off the fence, Neale. Make use of your lesson. Are you reading any of these posts? You can’t have it both ways and I think your own soul knows that. It’s been a good ride for you thus far, I’m sure, but do the honorable thing now and choose.

Dear Neale, I have just read your comments regarding the Christmas blog. I am an avid fan of your work and books. Your message has not only changed my life, but many others around me in the process. As you know this is what it’s all about! I look forward to hearing from you and respectfully urge that your blog is not removed. Your friend, Hugh (UK).

Why didn’t God tell Neale not to do it? Wasn’t he paying attention? Or does he not like Neale?

Hi Neale
I consider this blog of yours the MOST inspiring in the net.
If beliefnet is blocking, that is a sure sign to move proudly on to the next platform, from where to continue this glorious work you are doing.
Let the dogs bark, the caravan moves on.
To me it feels sooo insignificant what happened, I can only laugh and laugh about the small-mindedness of some individuals.
I myself I am also a writer and I regularly inspire myself from myself (other people). To me it feels like embracing a multi variety of fresh winds. Still when I get to the point to publish on international level I am careful to not even take ONE sentence from others straight.
Again, in conclusion it’s such a small time thing what happened I am just surprised how people in general are handling such a matter.
In my perspective Ms Chand should feel honored that NEALE DONALD WALSH himself, one of the most influencial positive writers in the last 2000 years, used a few words that came from her pen.
Neale, what a breathtaking service you are doing – with fervent passion and outstanding excellence.
Blessings to all.
Johannes

“I keep saying it over and over–this incident can only help Chand–someone many people had never heard of before.”
For one, spare me the guilt trip – I acknowledged that the name-calling was crossing the line, but I chose to indulge my frustration with the irrational people on this board. For another, I had never heard of Neale Walsch before today, either.
As I’ve repeated, the fact that Chand got some free publicity doesn’t excuse theft. That defense implies that Neale did her some kind of favor by plagerising her work. But what if he wasn’t caught? Frankly, I don’t know either of them personally, so I don’t know if Chand is out of line for getting so upset (she could be emotionally unbalanced, but Walsch could be an opportunistic thief – I don’t know). The bottom line is that far too many people here seem to think that Neale’s actions were totally fine, and Chand should be happy he claimed to have written her work. There’s nothing reasonable about that.

You’re right. It’s about the law, but not your law or our law, God’s law. God’s law says to forgive and to love one another as Christ loved us. I guess Christ was love, but Candy isn’t.
You may speak from your heart, but from here it looks pretty dark.

What an incredible series of unfortunate events–I mean what are the odds of two devoted spiritual writers, both with sons named Nicholas, colliding in this moment in this way? Truly it is testing our ability to put to use the true meaning of the message of compassion found in both CWG and in Christ.
How many of us can honestly claim that our memories would not utterly fail us if we were holding in our hands, an anecdeotal story, told in the first person, describing something as universal as a child’s Christmas pagent, an event which we believed to have occurred twenty years prior, particularly when it just so happens that the name of the narrator’s child and our own were identical?
I recently received in the mail from my dad an autobiography of my grandmother’s, a piece that I was already thoroughly familiar with, having read it repeatedly in my teens and twenties. Yet, twenty years later and the writing–the style, the tone, the story line itself–appeared completely unfamiliar to me. It was as if I were reading about my grandmother’s life for the first time. Anyone who reads a novel once knows that if they read it again they will discover at least a hundred new things. This is how our mind works.
Noone, least of all Neale, believes for a second that an author doesn’t have a right to be credited for her original copyrighted and printed words. Neale rectified his error when he immediately took the post down and even went so far as to offer his resignation from the entire Beliefnet, a painful decision I am sure as his was a highly frequented site.
I wonder how much damage an author can hope to claim in such a case as this when the text in question was never actually printed in the permanent book format, but was rather a temporary post immediately retrieved when the blunder was discovered. I also wonder how one can claim malicious intent when he made no money off the temporary posting, which someone has already mentioned has apparently been circulating on the internet for awhile without being properly credited.
What with all the publicity her story has been receiving, Ms. Chand’s book sales on Amazon shot up from 500,000 something to 100,000 something overnight. I think if it were me I would have to consider this blunder a blessing. Heck, I think I might even send him a thank you card.
Love and Peace,
Michelle

The age of gurus and messiahs is OVER. Lets get over it! In this transitional period between lies and truth, many things inevitably, have to be exposed. When the dust settles, and it will, we’ll surely discover that there are no victims, only participants who have pre-chosen this situation for their/our ultimate good.
Neale, please come off the fence, off the high horse many devotees here have placed you upon. Come down and be who you are, one of us, one with us. Together we can discover the treasure box we are sitting on. As One, we can discover,as did Rumi, many reasons to kiss the ground. As we are about to soon see, its not only death that’s the great leveller, but the Age of Truth that’s urgently knocking on our door.
John

Couldn’t have written a more well laid out and explanatory appology than that. Your mistake certainly calls for one and you’ve certainly come through. I don’t see how it calls for your dismissal from beleifnets blogsite but if that’s what they feel is neccasarry then so be it. I only found your blogs a few weeks ago and have been excited to read each one. You are an amazing authour and spiritual guide, I am sure you will find another forum with which to publish your thoughts. I know from your vast collections of writings you have no need to steal from others and I know how tricky the mind can be so I understand your mistake. I’m sure you wont let this discourage you and I look forward to your finding a new place to post.

What the heck? How on earth am I becoming some wicked thing in some anonymous post?
Chand is not being unchristian. And as for her getting up there in the Amazon rankings – well, this is how things happen. But she didn’t go out and post her story under another name, claim copyright violation, and maybe the NYT contacted her (I don’t know how that worked).
And yeah it is about Copyright law – a law we all live under in the US, and for those whose countries work under the Berne convention.
Why religion is even being brought in as a reason to condemn the original writer, is beyond me (the fact the story is of Christmas has nothing to do with the actual EVENT going on).
To the anonymous poster – have you read in any of my postings that I am somehow unkind to Mr. Walsch? No. So why are you trying to infer that I am something I am not?
Peace

NDW admitted he has used this story for years. If I were the author I would sue the heck out of NDW. An author’s words are their income. If someone stole money from you would you not want to try and get some of it back?

“Chand is not being unchristian”
I agree. Being egotistical, unforgiving, self-serving and greedy are definitely Christian fruits.

you can’t chicken out on us because you made a mistake. What you’re saying now is we make a mistate, we have to withdraw and put our head in the sand instead of moving forward.
Sheilah

Where in this (hopefully not) last blog is there any indication Ms. Chand was “overly upset”? I’ve read it twice and see no evidence she asked Neale to do this – or even indicate that he should do so. She wrote an astoundingly beautiful story for which she has been given credit by an astoundingly wonderful messenger. I praise and bless both of them for helping others recognize the beauty that we are. If Ms. Chand elects to follow legal recourse that is her choice, but I see no indication she chooses this. Truly, she can only benefit from this world-wide recognition of her gift. I thank her for the story and Neale for bringing it to light (for me).
Thank you all for touching my life.

Hard to believe his explanation. I do alot of speaking and have repeated several stories many times, but never have I taken them as my own, even inadvertantly! Please be honest, especially if you really know God!

The last comment was from me. I certainly want my name on it. I don’t often post!
George

Sheilah I don’t believe he had a choice. Beliefnet would be a fool to let a plagiarist continue to publish on their site.

Thanks for keeping it real, Neale.

Neale,
Bottom line: Does beliefnet think you should quit the web-site?
Does Ms. Chand think you should?
Do YOU think you should?
What is your decision based on?
This is important to me.
George

Please, don’t leave this blog!
It helps us all to remain connected with one another and with Love!

what if neale is telling the truth. maybe he did create a false memory. perhaps certain people or minds are more susceptible to that sort of thing. but if his mind is susceptible to being able to read a story and then think it as his own….how far of a stretch is it to assume everything he has ever written, was just different things or beliefs he picked up along the way, then wrote about it…all the while thinking it was “god” or some higher Consciousness, but it was his own all along. surely if u have read his material, many things he has written, has been talked about, or the information has come from other sources. he doesn’t really word for word state such things verbatim, its more of a paraphrasing of previous known beliefs, thoughts, etc.
what if he is a liar tho?? i do find it interesting that when i logged onto cwg’s website , they have a new headline that wasn’t there yesterday, that now reads “……..”
well never mind that. i just went to website again to copy and paste it and it wont load anymore. it comes up with an error..i wonder if its just my computer or is it not working for anyone else?..

I think Neale made an honest mistake, grave though it was. Passing off another’s words and experience as one’s own is no small thing. I can understand Ms. Chand’s ire. But, after reading Neale’s gracious, straight-from-the-heart apology, I must admit that I find her response hostile and dismissive. Is this how she would like to be treated when she tenders an (honest) apology sometime in the near future? To be told that her repentance is glib and unbelivable?
I hope not.
As for Beliefnet’s decision to gladly accept Neale’s offer to go his own way, it is going to be their loss.

In regards to the issue of this mistake and wether it tarnishes the rest of Neale’s work and the sincereity of the CWG books; it has been mentioned that now the “followers of neale will doubt and question everything he has written” well as a “follower” I have doubted and questioned everything. In fact Neale encouraged us to right from the beginning unlike nearly every other Religion, path, or what not. For me that was a big indication that he was telling the truth, for when anyone syas believe in me or in this book and there are consequences if you don’t, that alone is a clear indication that it is not true, because truth is self-evident and has no need to proslytize or needs prosyletizers. Sadly those of you who are threatened by the light of truth Neale has shared will be delighted in this, some even imagining it to be God’s will… if you only knew.
Anyway much love Neale, keep on keeping on.
Josh

how many other things has this guy stolen. just another reason to never trust any one selling “god”.

George, God is speaking to you in the same way God speaks to Neale.
Susan, I love you dearly, you sweet, sweet, woman. Johannes, you are gorgeous. Birdie, I love you, precious. Teja, you are like a brilliant butterfly. Walt, I have been blessed to know you. Speaks From The Heart, you are awesome, you too, Howard! Tracy, Don, xo.
If the newest among us is 18, we will all be together within 80 years, give or take. Our lives are providing us with beautiful, poignant lessons. This is one of them. We are so much more than we can see.
Neale took ownership of his error. Who is confident enough of their own perfection to cast the first stone? We’re all living in glass houses. He has done a wonderful job, and will continue to do a wonderful job, being the best person he can be. You can’t pop into Candy’s or Neale’s heads.
Live your own life and forget the judgment. That might leave Satan in boredom and frustration, to find his way home. Neale, I hope you are ok, and you don’t allow this to effect you physically. See you all before we know it!

I just passe through (Beliefnet.com) here to reed/heard Your words like a seed need water.
Thank You… for the water!!!
IM

GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND MUCH LOVE NEALE

Jim, the story is only hard to believe if you know nothing about the human mind’s ability to create false memories. This is a common occurrence and is covered in general psych class. Many people here obviously have a specific desire to be hateful, and thus deny the truth and remain ignorant so that they can condemn someone else… more than likely in an effort to feel good about themselves. What a shame.

“Neale, I think you gotta decide whether you’re a writer or a prophet.
People have been following you like a prophet but now your followers are all in disarray from your having been caught in a lie – at the very least plagiarism, which is a lie of the written word, if not also lying about whether it was an honest mistake or whether you knew what you were doing and just planning on not getting caught.
Either way, putting yourself up as a spiritual messenger (a prophet) holds you to a higher standard. It’s a very high standard, which is one reason why sensible people tend to shy away from it. Few of us, well, none of us except ostensibly Jesus, the Buddha, Mohammed, are able to live up to that kind of test.
An awful lot of the people who look for accessible leaders like yourself to follow are truly in need of guidance and direction, and a great many – not most perhaps but a great many – are fragile, rigid, hurting, prone to absolutism and literalism, and tend to look for simple, directive leadership. That makes those particular folks very, very vulnerable.
So Neale, what have you done?
You’ve been making money on your talents, like any writer would, but you’ve also been making money on your apparently unique and sacred inspiration from God Himself. Hmmm. A lot of money.
I sincerely believe you’ve been given the lesson of humiliation, for not only your own good but for all of us. And you brought it upon yourself, which is usually a real indication of personal relevance. Anyway, the lesson is calling you now to choose.
If you’re a writer, and CwG and all the rest has been a way for you to make money and succeed in the world, inspired by what you yourself have always known if only subconsciously, it behooves you to fess up and make yourself less “holy.” Just be Neale D. Walsch, the writer. This is important in order to undo the betrayal of the people who’d been following you like a prophet within their lifetime.
If you are sincere about being a spiritual messenger, then I think you have to fess up to having made a very more human mistake than you’ve already admitted, if that’s the case, and STOP making vast amounts of wealth through your work.
You cannot serve two masters.
Start setting the fees for your workshops at rates which the poor, as well as the upper middle class and the rich, can afford. Cover your costs but that’s all. Do not charge money for your “Messenger’s Circle,” and donate what ever excess you receive to worthy charities. God knows, a million people in our country could use it today. Make your books and other materials readily available to everyone, not just those who can spend the additional dollar.
With the wealth you’ve accumulated so far you should be able to do that.
And, I might add, be prepared to take the heat that a true modern prophet is going to take, from current religious leaders to truly unbalanced individuals who will cling to you like a slippery rock in a bad sea.
But either way, get off the fence, Neale. Make use of your lesson. Are you reading any of these posts? You can’t have it both ways and I think your own soul knows that. It’s been a good ride for you thus far, I’m sure, but do the honorable thing now and choose.”
Wow! Absolutely Wow. This was nearly a perfect post.
For to be a fisher of men, one needs only to walk and call. God takes care of the rest…
Jesus Christ was and is your example Neale. This post above has it nearly right on the head. The only thing Neale, the absolute only thing you are missing from your teachings is full acceptance of Christ… All of it. Which includes the healing from inequity from recognition and then walking straight… That is what heals Neale. We are not God yet, nor in this lifetime! And Christs teachings will explain all of it.
I hope this post above, the nearly perfect post, inspires you!
Susan, this is what forgiveness is about – acknowledgement and then redirection to what is right, true and faithful.
And To Ms. Chand… thank you so kindly for such a beautiful story, and using your voice to defend your works when necessary. Thank you…

To me Neale’s explanation is highly improbable. Yet it is also unlikely that he would plagiarize. He doesn’t stand to profit in any way from stealing from Ms. Chand. Ms.Chand who? But we all profited from it, she in particular. How else would we be exposed to her heartwarming story? How else would we know about her other works of love?
Maybe Neale lied. Who doesn’t? Maybe he stole something. Who hasn’t at one time or another? We all bear the consequences of what we do. So must Neale who is as human as we all are! He doesn’t need Ms. Chand’s forgiveness, only his own. More importantly, this does not diminish in any way the wonderful messages in his numerous books. We can get the best advice from the worst persons. Mabuhay.

I began studying Mr. Walsch’s books only within the past 6 months.
Now the question that haunts me is….”Is there anything else that his mind and memory become confused with?”
Good Grief ! Now I must try to figure out if the CWG series was a “figment of his imagination”

deb, do you have a name for your book yet? I’d really like to read it when you finish.
little girl, on the contrary, forgiveness is very simple:
Matthew 6:14-16
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 6:27-31 But I say to you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from him who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to every one who begs from you; and of him who takes away your goods do not ask them again. And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.

to follow up my previous post. this is now the new headline on his webpage “This is the Home Page of the ReCreation Foundation, Inc., aka Conversations with God Foundation. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit educational foundation formed to support the messages of the Conversations with God series of books. We rely on tax deductible contributions and our few fee-based programs for our existence. We appreciate you buying from our web-store as the profits earned there support our programs, including scholarships for those who cannot afford our low pricing. Please browse our web page to see our programs and how we serve the public.” wasnt there yesterday but its there now. seems weird, like he is trying to show its not about money, showing the good works they do or something. i dont know. probably reading to much into it.

RE; CRAIG SMITH
i feel the same as you. i feel troubled either way. even if it was a true mistake and he is being honest. i understand how u feel.

The message of CWG does not change regardless of this event.It actually validates the message to me. Letting people “off the hook” sounds suspiciously like forgiveness to me or seeing a mistake for what it is. My oh my what would this world come to if everyone did that…..

Hi Susan. What I’ve come up with so far is, “Connected Dots: Memoir of a Woman Who Asked for Bliss.”
Let’s keep in touch. My email is deborahmariepc@aol.com.

I’ve just picked one of your books at random from the library shelf, and opened it to a random page. These words leapt out at me instantly…
You will wake up! You are waking up! The paradigm is shifting. The world is changing. It’s happening right in front of your eyes…
…Don’t give up! Don’t give up! The grandest adventure has just begun!
(from CwG, Book 3, Pg 294)
bhdt

It’s interesting to me as a research psychologist that plagiarism is always assumed to be intentional, but there are many substantiated cases of inadvertent plagiarism. And this memory error is more likely to occur as we get older. The link associated with this comment is to a paper I published with some colleagues a couple of years ago showing this sort of phenomenon under controlled laboratory conditions.

wow. deb! I’m emailing you right away.
I would like to say THANKS to everyone who participated on this blog. You all made me ponder and consider other viewpoints, which is what I was hoping for. Cynthia, Birdie, Victor, Teja, Sheerluck all you regulars… even when we disagreed, I appreciated your conversation very much. Blessings to all. May your path be bright and may this be your best year yet! Love Susan

I just finished reading ALL the postings.
I have enjoyed so many of these words from people who really care. There are so many thoughtful comments. I am also a minor writer of non-fiction and I appreciate the various voices grappling with this real issue before them. It is exceedingly fortunate to have the opportunity to listen to your thoughts and how you build your logic for what both authors should or should not do.
The issue of beliefnet.com is also very interesting.I have seen nothing from the agency of beliefnet. I am relying only on what Mr. Walsch has suggested. There are enticing angles on how they have probably played with this issue. It is easy for me to guess that the advice of their lawyers is paramount to any considerations that have been raised here. So, for the sake of argument that we think that damage to beliefnet.com’s reputation would have an economic impact, and so…….what would they do? I am guessing that Mr. Walsch has a great many more readers and now interested parties like myself who wonder about beliefnet’s real harm. So they might suggest that Mr. Walsch “retire” all voluntarily. I would really like to hear from a lawyer about what kind of damage has been done.
Do the principles that beliefnet appears to support, in drawing from all the major religions and then some, finally bow down to their fear of legal or business standards? What would Christ say, just to take a Christian example, to a group like beliefnet.com if a man has posted a letter of apology on some action he has done? Again if this behind closed doors conversation has merit, I am inclined to say “Beliefnet. you are acting, it seems to me, like the moneychangers in the temple, which the Christ drove out. Go back and read the story and what He said in the Bible, if you have one!”
BUT LET US ALSO RETURN TO MR. Walsch’s situation.
I think Mr. Walsch, is taking the easy way out. I would like Mr. Walsch to go back and read TheManInTheMoon, NoName, Susan, Your Name.
All of these comments have some interesting points Mr. Walsch should have the courage to embrace. It may be that Mr. Walsch, in avoiding these comments and their spiritual meanings for his own growth, is using beliefnet and his remorse as a “fall guy” to escape dealing with the sometimes painful lessons that life bestows on us. For many of the commenters have rightly put this issue into perspective from their own lives, “THIS IS REALLY NO BIG DEAL, NEALE” becauase they are having to deal with much tougher daily issues and your comforting words help them get along. But for you, you, Mr. Walsch can appear to accept the self-inflicted wound and retire to your expensive room behind the curtain.
My thoughts are “USE THIS TO GROW WITH NEALE”. Have the guts to stand by your previous words of advice to others who have used your words to help them get through much tougher situations. Continue to blog, and be man enough to deal with a new group of non-adoring, counter yes-men” It will be a needed dose of humility to accept the critics voices that will appear, but it will also make you a better person. You can bet that the few bad apples will only be showing their own lack of spiritual evolution if they try to throw jabs at you. If you wince from their words, doesn’t this prove that you still cling to a precious ego, which you are trying to shake loose from?
I am going to follow this story to see what happens. A final thanks to all the posters, whose words I really did read.

We are all one and this has happened to me as well. the mind internalizes things that mean the world to us and make them our own. this is neiher good nor bad it just shows us whom we have become. You have met another fine author and person from this. You have also revealed your very human side once again. don’t be so hard on your self for this very human experience. Once again listen to God and let him be the true and ritous judge. Many blessings my friend…Dave

Twice in my life – people have never met swear they knew me.
Several times in my life – people have sworn that I said or did
something that I did not say or do.
In fact – if I added up all the strange things that have happened
to either my own mind or the mind’s of others – It would be about a dozen incidents of “false memory”.
Neale has lived an absolute whirlwind life.
His whole life has been about being Neale – even before
he was Neale Donald Walsch – the famous speaker and author.
His mind surely has played “tricks” on him before this -
and will do it again after this.
Please do not bash Candy Chand either. It will take some time for
her to realize that Neale is telling the truth.
To the people who sit back and claim that it is impossible for anyone
to recall a situation as having really happened – but that it did not – - I ask you to just stop and think off all the weird unexplainable things that have happened to you in your life.
Bottom Line – Neale has proven time and time again that he gives credit where credit is due – and gladly names the sources of his inspirations.
All anyone would have to do is start reading all the material that Neale has written – and is out there on the Net. I have been reading Neale’s blog since he started it on his own website – and it seems to me that Neale has given credit to other writers 50 times or more.
Neale would not try to make this story his own.
He would have to be a fool to try it – and there was no possible
gain that he would attain – that he hasn’t already attained.
So the risk of making this up – would be illogical.
I have been critical of Neale for liberalism and his
insistence that we have global warming, despite the fact that this planet has frozen and thawed on it’s own 7 times – and just came out of the Little Ice Age 400 years ago.
However, that is all up for debate – and we can be civilized.
NDW would have had no reason whatsoever to make up anything.
Hugs

I love you neale, and god bless you . i believe you and i hope the negativity and some of the angry or hurtful comments from people dont affect you for long. your a great soul. god bless you.
after reading up on false memory and how it can be created, its obvious you are telling the truth .
hang in there

The Cynthias, Sheer Luck, Victor, AM, and everyone else! Thank you for the way you’ve given of yourselves.
One last thought Neale. All of us are sharing in what has happened. I hope knowing how much we all care helps.

“To have anything negative to say about this woman is absurd. Again, as you have all stated, she is a relative nobody- he a world famous millionaire. Just imagine you sitting at home and seeing your uncredited work, word for word, used in this fashion.. and with the first paragraph intentionally deleted?? Think people, think. These are the actions of an active writer with a very sharp mind. His own son in the story? I would be extremely skeptical of this no matter who was saying it.”
Well, something very much like this has happened to me in the past. (Not involving the written word, thank heavens, but still.) Since the police were involved I won’t go into more detail, and since I was seven and afraid of getting in trouble I never told the truth about it once I realized what had happened. But suffice it to say that through the power of suggestion I honestly believed I saw something I didn’t see once. So I can totally see how this occurred.
As for: “So when some holier-than-the-rest-of-us-because-Jesus-made-me-forget THIS DIDN’T REALLY HAPPEN TO ME *thief* steals our words, they steal money from us. And food from the mouths of our children.”
None of us pays to read this blog. So Neale didn’t make any money from this error.
I’d be willing to bet Candy Chand might, though. Most struggling authors would kill to be mentioned in the New York Times for *anything.* I know, I’m married to one of them. If it were me or my husband, we’d speak up and ask for our words to be properly credited to us. But we’d also accept an honest apology, and we certainly wouldn’t want the blog taken down on account of it!
“In response to those that finally bring up Hitler…
It is rightly disgusting.
People, because of an author that has made it ok, support the person who ruined Russia and killed how many?”
Uh, that’s not what that quote, “Hitler went to Heaven,” means at all. You don’t understand. Believe me.
Thanks for posting that, David McCabe. And hope to see you all online again one day. Including YOU, Neale!!

What a thoughtful and well formed apology, Mr. Walsch. How unfortunate the circumstances. Certainly your work is valuable and has helped countless many. You are as good a conduit for Ms. Chand’s story as anyone. Your admission of error shows character and regret. May you and Ms. Chand heal together and gain a peaceful and long lasting friendship as a result of this situation. May we all learn from our mistakes, and strive to be compassionate and forgiving to others. I believe we are fortunate to be here, to be part of this world. Thank you Ms. Chand. Thank you Mr. Walsch. Thank You. Namaste.

Thanks!
This is truly a blessed opportunity for Neale and Ms Chand and All of us to experience CHRIST AS LOVE!
re: To the persons unhappy about Neale’s success in sharing his spiritual vision selling books or conferences, etc. I’d say, God being Infinite Abundance, try to connect to The Source and experience It by Yourself, then of course like Neale does share It with others!
Since it’s All One I feel happy about Neale and Ms Chand’s successes!
and am happy too sharing with you Gloria Wendroff’s Heavenletter on this – I hope not last – post by Neale ~ http://www.heavenletters.org/a-giant-of-love.html
Much Peace and Love to the extended class today
with Hugs from HK, AM

I am not even a Christian and even I know that one of the Ten Commandments is “Thou Shalt Not Steal.” Neale has stolen Ms. Chand’s property – not by retelling a story or misremembering something that happened but by copying the exact words of another author and claiming them as his own. This is not a trivial transgression; it’s not only unethical it’s illegal. God may be able to forgive him, but surely his own sense of morality and Christian ethics ought to require him to own up to his crime and give more immediate redress than he has given to Ms. Chand.
No wonder Christianity has a reputation for hypocrisy.

I bet this Whole stry She told happened Actually NEVER DID TAKE PLACE.
How come she did jealously state that she was the only person who could have actually winessed this event? Unless she made the whole story UP!!
Why not have 1st assumed that maybe she was lucky enuf to have another winess to this event?
Is there actually somebody like a fellow student of her son’s to verify this story actually happened?
Or HOW about a elementary school teacher or principal or nieghbor to verify the veracity ?
HUMMN….

I can almost imagine a mistake like this “could” actually occur.
I’ve sometimes found writings and words on the internet I swore I’d written myself (somewhere) but could not be sure – since I do not, in essence, seek publication or collect my own works. I’m not a published nor refined author and my writings are often impromptu and spontaneous. Thus, I haven’t kept literary track of them. (I use to be much better about this!!).
Much less than being organized; profound inspirations over the years have given way to some wonderful insights, words and prose set to embellish living observations I’ve had.
Were it not for a terrible case of ADD and probably just as much – a lack of confidence, I would have taken my writings much more serious and kept them copied and saved, thus knowing that it was me who’d written them.
So you see, I believe it entirely possible (for even the most organized of writers) to not always know your own work & to believe that a piece… was perhaps absorbed as your own written word over time. I know without a doubt that our brains and minds do play tricks…certain experiences and information can strike an imprint upon our subconscious as being real and familiar.
I hope both authors can move on from this. I accept Neale’s explanation as true and plausible.

I just see something what’s happening here regarding to: Christ was LOVE…
Then the LORD said, “Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by.” A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD–but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake–but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
After the earthquake there was fire–but the LORD was not in the fire. After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. (1Kng19)
Love,
Teja

Hi Neale,
i understand that you have to do this. but i will miss your writings terribly. your blog is the only reason why i visit belief net. where then can you continue the blog? please let us know. i believe in you when you said it was not intentional. and who in his right state of mind would do such thing anyway? ironic that it has to end in Christ was Love story. so where is christ love now?

It is apparent to me that many of Mr Walsch’s followers are rallying around him by trying to minimize his mistake and/or trying to deflect the negative attention towards Ms Chand – either by calling her to task on her Christian values/ethics, or by implying that she should be grateful, flattered even, by someone as ‘prestigious’ as Mr Walsch being drawn to her words and using them as his own.
It cannot be argued against that Mr Walsch did make a mistake however. If he did copy and paste Ms Chand’s story 10 years ago, then why didn’t he include the author’s name? And if he was sent the story by someone else, why didn’t he validate the source? I could understand it if he hadn’t looked at or referred to the story for a long time, but he said how he had often used it in his talks over 10 years – this clearly provided him with time and opportunity to validate the source?
As for him saying how he must have ‘internalized’ it somehow – yes, but in the early days, he must surely have referred to the story as something he heard/read/was moved by – at what point did he begin to omit doing this? All this does seem to be calling into question Mr Walsch’s integrity as a spiritual author and speaker – and of providing all concerned with valuable spiritual lessons, including that of discernment.

Thank you Neale, Ms Chand…. for another opportunity for all of us to humbly experience our own humanness.
You continue to inspire me Neale – thank you and bless you for having made a profound impact on my life and thousands of others. I am always watching out for you.
And bless Ms Chand too for all the gifts she brings!

e are of course Mr. Walsch’s justifiably loyal and grateful fans who do not want this one incident that is definitely attached to him by his own and Ms. Chand’s authority magnified beyond its deserved merits. I can appreciate their insistence in looking at the bigger picture from their point of view. He is an artist who has provided so much satisfaction into their lives. So to maximizre his flaws, is a disservice to them. Some want to keep his words and stories as real and as close to “the truth” as possible.
So along this vein that the truth is mightier than a fiction, Mr. Walsch made this a true story from his own memory, even though at first long ago, he must have separated it from himself. He clearly knew then that is wasn’t from him, and that another had written it. His hat must have been tipped to that person, if he received it without an author. Yet I wonder why he didn’t fictionalize it as a modern parable, change it enough to lose the implications of plagiarism? Well this is an interesting side trail to be wandered on later,
To him, keeping this “little” story for future reference, was an act of flattery to the author. After all he probably got a stream of little things in emails, So about 7 years ago, that was when the Internet was taking off, emails were a hot little thing, nothing like the volume and sophistication we get now.
Now think about the uniqueness of this story. It is really simple and very clever. The mere turning of a letter reveals another insight, and opportunity for a comment on the event which caused the experience, the Christmas pagent. To my mind it is an unusually clever story, and thus from the news in the NYTimes article it was recognized by outside editors as being worthy of recognition.
Mr. Walsch was justifiably impressed with its quality also. He kept it. And not only did he just keep it filed away, he says that he has referred to it a number of times “over the years”. So its impression was renewed and placed like a part of the mosaic that he was trying to create in his lectures. presentations.
So at first he knew it wasn’t his, and he began using it over the years. Why didn’t he search for the author in those days??? Well in any case he didn’t and time goes by. No one tried to search the story after hearing it given by Mr. Walsch. It seems to be just one star in the heavens he presents to his viewer-listeners. It is certainly an idea that his mind could have created. This was just one item. and the years pass by, and his prominence continues to rise, the books and the lectures and appearances continue to come in. The recognition from his colleagues in the same industry, etc. The fame, the fortune, the generosity, the cultivation of his image, and his obvious talent with this line of work.
Now we come up to the present time and in a blog, that no one is getting paid for, he is doing this as an expression of gratitude, as a way of interacting perhaps or perhaps not, with his many self-described “fans”. And he continues with this blog on a daily basis, writing quantity and quality about various subjects that come under his message-purveying eyes. And this is caught.
Of all that he has done and said, and written, he is caught in this 1 error of plagiarism, a sin for an author whose line of work is ideas and words. Does he also have an agency that is on the lookout for people who would plagiarize his own works? Does he spend a portion of his income on such legalities? Probably his work is so large, like the music industry I used to be familiar with, everyone said that others were stealing their music, so it was just the way of the culture. Is it the same with Mr. Walsch’s stories? Is this one example a tip of the ice berg in the culture or industry writing that Mr. Walsch is part of? Is this kind of writing so competitive that every writer is looking for new ideas, clever message-carrying examples from near-experience to put into their next lecture-book?
I honestly don’t know. I

It occurs to me that a lot of people here feel the need to point their finger at Neale. What I would like to say is: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.
What do you want to happen? You want him to be punished for this so-called plagiarism? I can tell you, he is already punished in the worst possible way. He publicly apologized for his mistake here and corrected it to the best of his ability.
And to all of you who say this is the least he could have done for Ms Chand, I say, it is the best gift he could have given her, because it is a sign of love, the greatest give of all.
For me there’s no reason to question any of Neale’s other work, because it’s not about who wrote it, it’s about what was written, and we are all one! Amen!
Koko

My question
“HOW LONG WILL THIS HONEYMOON LAST?”
So what do I mean?
This “issue” is definitely on Beliefnet.com’s radar. I would not be surprised if there is someone inside Beliefnet who has made it, if he/she hasn’t already been assigned, to monitor this comment blog. She or he is reading everying.
And the question he or she is forming….
“When does the attraction to this site, because of this blog issue, become a negative for Beliefnet.?
It always comes down to money.

“It occurs to me that a lot of people here feel the need to point their finger at Neale. What I would like to say is: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.
What do you want to happen? You want him to be punished for this so-called plagiarism? I can tell you, he is already punished in the worst possible way. He publicly apologized for his mistake here and corrected it to the best of his ability. And to all of you who say this is the least he could have done for Ms Chand, I say, it is the best gift he could have given her, because it is a sign of love, the greatest give of all.”
Koko –
Dearest Koko,
You are absolutely correct. And we do not wish to see him punished further. For the truth itself is punishment enough. However, there is an enormous good opportunity here, that in my heart I truly wish for the best of outcome; it is the opportunity to stretch further into his understanding, and to truly walk as one of the great spiritual leaders of this generation – (refer to the bible) The time has arrived, it is now the choice that matters.
But of course, if the choice is made to take off the desire of spiritual messenger and simply be, it would be understandable as well. For it has been a long and difficult path he has walked and all deserve moments of reprieve – even lasting moments when one feels the individual work has come to a close.
It is a time of introspection: Remember Neale, the true path of creation involves three elements -
“You can not determine where it is you are going, unless you understand where it is you have been, and why…
For to love is to consciously make such future decisions in past and present understanding; with declaration of where it is you are going and for what purpose consciously as well. It is considering the past, the present And the future all at once… For creation under this guidance, is a whole and productive creation.”
I can quote my own writing, can I not? With one thing taken out… A name that doesn’t belong in the quote.
love always

Gee there truly IS nothing new under the sun is there. There were things that I shared with a group of people that turned out to have “originated” from someone else like it was channeled or something…oh well.

The difference is verbatim Emerson… verbatim one single, whole and entire message of an article; with only ownership in the article changed.
That is not a communication with the soul – that IS stealing.
lol…
I love you!

And so help me God if it ever happens to me… I will immediately stop writing!
Please have a beautiful day.

Deb Reilly,
I’ll be missing your posts. Connected Dots – best of luck with it. While I’m still weaving my work – and connecting the years through some common thread – I’m always inspired by those I ‘feel’ are on a similar path.
Keep me posted on where you land.
Where is SLH? I haven’t seen him around and he’s another I enjoy posting near. Hopefully, we’ll gather ourselves in short order and continue to feed positive energy through the ‘net.
Peace

And, I guess if it were up to you no one would ever be forgiven. God is Love in IT’s Purest Form while we, humans that we are, are capable of carrying judgement, rancor and all the rest of the angry negative garbage that comes with “God(I)Am” and the fact that you would “immediatly stop writing” is very indicitave of your own penchant of self punishment and if you do that you will most certainly punish others for their mistakes and short comings which really does nothing but keep “the offender” in sickness dis-ease and doubt. Please do yourself and the rest of the human race a favor;
Let Christ off the cross.

How long does all this commentary need to go on? Until Beliefnet drops the site?
It was a terrible shock to read Neale’s announcement and those of us who’ve been following his work and participating here needed to respond, question, process, and decide what to think about it all.
But it looks to me like pretty much everyone has had a chance to weigh in and now the blog comments are just getting dragged down – with response and commentary to each other.
Get over it, people. Neale has to move on, so do we.

To reap the rewards of forgiveness then different action -
Christ took down the cross himself.
Please be well. It is time to move on.
Love always

And, God’s love acting through him raised himself.
Love is all there is.

We all make mistakes!
You just happened to make one in a very public, professional manner.
Do not let this stumble prevent you from getting up and walking the path that you have so eloquently defined, as there are many behind you who are looking ahead to your example, many who should be blazing their own path, but just maybe, haven’t had the courage to step off the easy path.
Some will stop or sit down or go back. Others will wait, and continue to follow, but for some, this just might be the opportunity, they didn’t realize they were waiting for. For them, they might stop, take a look around, and intentionally or otherwise, step off the path, and blaze a new path of their own. They may even attract a follower or two of their own.
Ultimately, everyone has to follow their own path, and while I am not a very religious person, I have been inspired by your daily message “from God”. Sometimes, God is spot on, and sometimes She is cryptic, but as Her messenger, I value the message you delivered from Her to my daily email INBOX none the less.
I never did read your blog, but I am assured, that when you are done, as one comedian put it (unknown to me) LOOKING AROUND TO SEE WHO SAW YOU STUMBLE, you will realize that it was a little embarrassing, you will see that you have many hands being offered to help you up, and you will see that you still have a path to blaze, and a purpose to move forward blazing that path.
Thanks for giving me a daily dose of smile. I still look forward to those messages.
And, I look forward to your new blog or outlet other than a blog – wherever you may chose to deliver your message.
Gilbert
.

This is funny, who cares… really!
Neale your acting pompous not humble.
Get your a** back here and continue blogging.

Thanks for giving all of us the opportunity to express ourselves. Thanks for the times you stepped in to monitor us. Bye Tiger(s).
PS to Time To Move On,
Couldn’t help noticing that you stuck around long enough to tell the rest of us to turn out the light.
SPEAKS FROM THE HEART! Please email me. If one of us finds a new cyberhome, we can let each other know!

Oops. That was me. deborahmariepc@aol.com

Ever since the events began to swirl around my “plagiarized” Dec. 28th blog on Beliefnet.com I have been mystified as to how such a thing could have happened.
Today I have come upon a paper written by scholars David P. McCabe, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado; Anderson D. Smith, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia; and Colleen M. Parks, University of California, Davis, California. The paper is titled…
…Inadvertent plagiarism in young and older adults: The role of working memory capacity in reducing memory errors.
The paper says that while plagiarism is usually defined as the intentional misappropriation of one person’s words or ideas by another, there is such a thing as inadvertent plagiarism, or cryptomnesia.
The authors provide researched evidence that people can and do “remember” things that did not happen to them, and, as well, that they can believe that thoughts or ideas or even words encountered previously “are their own original creations.”
The paper also says that “memory errors” often result from failure to discriminate between “different sources of activation.”This, the researchers said, was “a particularly likely outcome when those sources of activation are similar to one another.” (Please see footnote, below.)
Of course, we know now that the story that I inadvertently plagiarized and my own life experience are remarkably similar, right down to the name of my son and the son of the actual author of the story in question,
I am more sorry that this inadvertent plagiarism has occurred than anyone can begin to imagine. Not only because it caused distress to the author of the story that I quoted as my own, but also because of what this incident tells me about the fallibility of the human mind. In this case, my own.
I would like to say here that I feel certain that the author whose words I used thinking they were mine, a woman named Candy Chand, is a fine and wonderful human being. I understand fully why she would be upset with what has happened here, because it has happened to me. I also understand why she would find my explanation implausible. I, myself, have been mystified, as I’ve already said, wondering how in the world such a thing could have happened. The academic research I am finding on this subject is making things much more clear to me. I can only again express the hope that Ms. Chand will accept my sincere apology.
1. McCabe, D. P., Smith, A. D, & Parks, C. P. (2007). Inadvertent plagiarism in young and older adults: The role of working memory capacity in reducing memory errors. Memory & Cognition, 35, 231-241.

And then, finally… a great silence filled the Void, a “pregnant stillness” full of the promise of a bright tomorrow, for us all.

That was me.

These words are from Neale’s book CWG2 Be a light unto the world, and hurt it not. Seek to build, not destroy. How?
By your shining example. Seek only Godliness
Speak only in truthfulness. Act only in love.
Live the law of Love now and forevermore. Give
Everything, require nothing.
Avoid the mundane.
Do not accept the unacceptable.
Teach all who seek to learn of Me.
Make every moment of your life an outpouring of love.
Use every moment to think the highest thought, say the highest word, do the highest deed. In this, glorify your Holy Self, and thus, too glorify Me.
Bring peace to the Earth by bringing peace to all those whose lives you touch.
Be peace.
Feel and express in every moment your Divine Connection with the All, and with every person, place, and thing.
Embrace every circumstance, own every fault, share every joy, contemplate every mystery, walk in every man’s shoes, forgive every offense (including your own), heal every heart, honor every person’s God, Protect every person’s rights, preserve every person’s dignity, promote every person’s holiness, present every person’s greatest gifts. Produce every person’s blessing, and pronounce every person’s future secure in the assured love of God.
Be a living, breathing example of the Highest Truth that resides within you.
Speak humbly of yourself, lest someone mistake your Highest Truth for a boast.
Speak softly, lest someone think you are merely calling for attention.
Speak gently that all might know Love.
Speak openly, lest anyone think you have something to hide.
Speak candidly, so you cannot be mistaken.
Speak often, so that your word may truly go forth.
Speak respectfully, that no one be dishonored.
Speak lovingly that every syllable may heal.
Speak of me with every utterance.
Make your life a gift. Remember Always, you are the gift !
Be a gift to everyone whose life you enter. Be careful not to enter another’s life if you cannot be a gift.
(You can always be a gift, because you always are the gift—yet sometimes you don’t let yourself know that.)
When someone enters your life unexpectedly, look for the gift that person has come to receive from you.
Why else do you think a person has come to you?
I tell you this: every person who has ever come to you has come to receive a gift from you. In so doing, he gives a gift to you—the gift of your experiencing and fulfilling WhoYou Are.
When you see this simple truth, when you understand it, you see the greatest truth of all:
I HAVE SENT YOU NOTHING BUT ANGELS. I don’t think Neale intentionaly wanted to harm anyone, so let’s get over it and move on. WE ARE ALL ONE!!!

Stealing is stealing.
Lying is lying.
The idea that you magically “internalized” Ms. Chand’s story right down to using the same child’s name, is baloney. You read a good story, you stole it, and you hoped no one would notice.
Then you lied about it.
As far as your rabid fans go: Let me point out that the idea that an author would be “flattered” that her work was stolen by an author of greater stature is the equivalent of saying a woman should be flattered if she’s raped by a Kennedy.
Either man up and pay her what you owe her — a sincere apology with no excuses or justifications and the full amount of the royalties and speaking fees you earned from HER story –or admit you’re a fraud and get out of the biz of telling people how holy and in direct contact with heaven you are.

Neale,
It is an honest mistake that came at perfect timing. I am no longer afraid to face the world because of you. Because you were my messenger, in the publics eye, you made me dive in to discover the truth of all. I have another season of growth – per Gods command at minimum a year, potentially 2 that is determined upon my ability to adapt and adjust.
Thank you brother. Be well and go in peace.
For Christ is and was love eternally.
love always
Ms. Chand has received enough from Neale’s error. It is now her opportunity to take upon herself her choice of expanding her work more so in the publics eye. Neale owes her nothing as he has already helped her more than any person has. This be my prayer Father…
It is time to go now…
I love you all!

I can’t stop thinking about the fact that you are going to back off and end your blog. What this is saying to all of us is that if you back an error, admit it, but back off in a corner and hide. I’m afraid that his )not the error, but the hiding) is going to adversly affect the great work you are doing. Neale please rethink the decision you have made.
Sheilah

Neale,
I love you man. What a story. I love the story though I didn’t even read it on the 28th. It has been a pleasure being blessed by your blog. I wish you only the best. What an honorable man you are. I love you very much.
I was inspired today by your daily email. I am starting up a free creative writing class for children of all ages. It brings a certain lightness to my life. Thank you for reminding me to get out into the street and make that difference in others that will inevitably make it in me.
I love you man. You’re the best.
Love,
Cameron

Neale, thanks for dropping back in and standing up for Ms. Chand. But why are you just repeating your original reaction? …Oops, sorry, I goofed up.
Gee. We read all that up at your original post.
I’m wondering now what is it you want us to do? A huge number of people here have already said ok, ok you goofed up, let’s not give up now but keep your blog going. Those readers obviously aren’t going away.
Those who don’t believe you aren’t going to start believing you just because you popped in and repeated yourself. In most circles that’s just considered arguing. What are you doing, trying to keep the action going here?
Another thing is, you may have been mystified initially but I don’t get how you can provide the citation for a scientific explanation of what happened but introduce the whole subject by reiterating how you’re still mystified. Is your explanation of creating a false memory an explanation or not?
Seems to me you’re just digging a deeper hole here.
Personally, I agree with L.H. -
“Either man up and pay her what you owe her — a sincere apology with no excuses or justifications and the full amount of the royalties and speaking fees you earned from HER story –or admit you’re a fraud and get out of the biz of telling people how holy and in direct contact with heaven you are.”
That’s what leadership is. I’d love for you to have the character and the cojones to just do what has to be done. Then maybe you can start fixing your reputation and demonstrate that you do have something on the ball. C’mon. It’s not that hard.

Op… Sorry ???. You were directing that towards Neale.
Leave him alone. His apology is sincere and real.

It really is time to go… it has been for sometime in my own personal belief, which is not always the will of God. I feel that it is necessary to offer one last prayer to my Father.
“My dearest Father,
It is only within the last couple of days that I have asked for the protection of the innocent for wrongs that I have seen that grieve my heart so deeply. Something happened. Something very large happened. Something that has redirected this blog, which I thank you for. Thank you for hearing my prayers. But as it is redirected, I am heavily concerned again. For it is Christ’s way, your sons way that has taught us, that simply the truth is enough to redirect error. I am concerned that the christian claws have been drawn and will go beyond that of our own teachings – that the truth shall set us free. And it has Father. I am so thankful that it has! It brings tears to my eyes. But Christians also understand that to go beyond the freedom of truth that does free us, to ask for more than simply the truth is of harm to another – for another will not grow if they do not come to the truth on their own. If we do not open our arms in peace for the truth to work it’s beautiful, natural work. To ask more from Neale now would be, in the highest thought form, a form of stealing and imprisonment from him. It is not our way Father. So I will ask that you speak to Ms. Chands heart, and have her ask herself – is it possible that this experience is for the uplifting of both? That Ms. Chand has a vast opportunity to begin sharing her heart through writing in your name and your spirit for the betterment of her and moving the work forward, while allowing Neale the opportunity to move forward into becoming the real and solid spiritual messenger that you created him to be. In giving that which he has received according to his time frame, according to his growth, according to that which is most beneficial for him. For this world is not about money, it is about love. Please Father, the truth has come, the innocent are already safe. Please, now turn the tides for his protection and growth, and Ms. Chands flourishing career as an author.
And please allow this to be it Father. I want to move forward with my own work betwen us. Please…
love always,
your daughter”

Just wait. Calm down. Breathe. You will know what to do. God bless.
A fan

Hi Neale, Thank you for writing this inspiring blog here everyday for free
Where ever your new blog may be, I will read it too. This doesn`t mean in my opinion, that you would have to leave this blog.
Your doing so many things besides writing this blog that I sometimes wonder where from you take the time to do all this. So thanks for everything. Mistakes happen and where here to forgive (little soul and the sun). Hope to see you soon again
Love
Alex

Sometimes explanation isn’t worth the effort it takes. people are going to decide according to their willingness to believe in the goodness of others. Neale, I’ve learned alot about accepting criticism without internalizing it, about understanding that each of us is responsible for our own reactions. I admire your ability to continue even when people revile you, insult you and twist your words to suit their purposes. This blog has been good practise. Thank you again. Keep your chin up!

Neale, your recent message shows that you are still mystified as to how all this could have occurred, as well as wishing to share with us here (some of whom may be thinking that your plagiarism was intentional and even be questioning your integrity as a spiritual author) that such a thing as ‘inadvertent plagiarism’ exists. Thank you for referencing that article.
I also consider it noble of you to express your empathy concerning what Ms Chand might be thinking and feeling in response to all of this, and to further express your desire that she will accept your sincere apology, as this does indeed show you are contrite.
Also I would like to say how refreshing I found it, that in the mist of so much turmoil — that in your personal blog you should have expressed your pleasure that Ms Chand’s book Christmas Love, should have jumped from around 500,000 to 99,000 on Amazon’s sales list in one day. My mind boggles at how such a statistic could have come to your attention so swiftly, but I am not one to follow book sales or to keep tabs on popularity ratings.
Still, no doubt all will come to light — your books have always conveyed the message that nothing happens without the soul’s permission or consent, and is for the highest good of all. I am certain that your blog will have been insightful to many — so thank you again for that.

There are two other voices I agree with,
Sheilah and Aaron.
I think, Mr. Walsch that it is all well and good to write. BUT when the time comes, it is the deed that is counted, That time is now. This test was sent by God, wasn’t it? Or if it wasn’t then who sent it? You are being tested to prove the worth of your words. Go back and read Sheilah’s and Aaron’s and TheManInTheMoon’s words, if you don’t accept mine.
There are many here who are making eloquent prayers and plans to leave and go someplace else. I say to them equally, “WHERE ARE YOUR GUTS?” This is an equal test to you.
You are just making it easier for beliefnet if you just fade away into the……darkness, not the light as you might think. Mr. Walsch I think you must continue here, for the sake of this community that has bonded together during all these sessions, or readings. I am not one of your fans, I am just speaking to what I know as common sense. You will have these taunters who come, but hey, politicos deal with that everyday of their professional lives. Can’t you be tougher than they are? Isn’t the light tougher than the darkness, or the mischievous?
And you other folks out there, it seems to me you are a pretty passive lot, with a couple of exceptions. Where are your determination to keep on building what you found so attractive in Mr. Walsch. Everything alot of you have said, could have been written by him (or anyone else?). For all I know this could be a grand symphony of opinions and words written by the author of this blog. I don’t know it seems like too many that comment the most are
wimping out.

Wow.
You started by saying you were apologizing. Which of course is in order.
But it turns out to mean that you are giving up because of an honest mistake…
Self-forgiveness runs rampant here in the New Spirituality, huh?
;^)
Actually Neale, we agree that the chivalrous thing to do is to tender your willingness to stop blogging to the folks at beliefnet. We respect the gesture.
We trust they will not accept your offer, unless of course you are firm in your decision.
You sure this isn’t a pity party – I mean, compassion celebration?? ;^)
Best of Now, always,
Alice

Neale!!
*sends hugs*
Thanks for coming one more time to post to us again. Hope you’re OK.

I have just finished the 200+ comments discussing Neale’s error.
I have been reading Neale’s work for several years and have benefited immensely from it.
Reading the many reactions to his plagiarism has helped me better understand several things that may be worthy of your further consideration.
One point is that it seems that there is something even more important here than the specific content of Neales’s messages that we may be losing. That something is a certain genius for asking very rich questions that stimulate us to think deeply about important issues in our lives. In addition, and perhaps more importantly, in this blog format we then get the gift of hearing how others react to these questions, enjoying both the insightful agreements as well as the sometimes strident, and often equally insightful disagreements. Stopping this blog is a loss for all involved.
Another point is that it is apparently very easy for us to confuse the value of the message delivered with the less important distraction of the details of how it is delivered. We are all imperfect conduits of our messages. It is my observation that every message conveyed in this physical arena includes inevitable distortion along with the truth it may also carry. We must react to and mull over all ideas we consider, accepting only those portions that resonate with us. Understanding requires that we look beyond the “static” in the channel we observe to the truths we can feel are valid. In this case, the static is the improper reporting of a story authored by someone else. If Neale’s words speak to you and resonate with your inner self, would you toss aside such a gift because of evidence that he is as fallible as the rest of us? To do so would be a disservice to our own inner knowledge and our faith in the integrity of our intuitive discernment.
To stop this blog, in my view, would be to disrupt a very valuable service to a large number of sincere seekers. Not only would it disrupt Neale’s contact with interested readers, but it would also disrupt new relationships between various readers who discover common interests and helpful insights from the other readers also attracted to its content.
Whomever is making the final decision, here, be it the Beliefnet management, Neale, Candy or someone else, I implore you to ignore the imperfections of the fallible humans involved in favor of a truly beneficial process that is uplifting to our collective spirit.
With faith and confidence in your good intent,
Chuck

The incident could easily have happened the way that Neale describes. I’d like him to be given the benefit of the doubt. I think he has handled the matter well, and would be unhappy if he had to discontinue his blog.
It is interesting how much emphasis our culture places on originality. Can anything we create be said to be completely original i.e. uninfluenced by anything or everything else?
On another level, all of us being one, I find it amazing that each of us clings to his or her own as if we are all separate entities, and that we have a stake in keeping what is ‘ours’.
Get over it.

My goodness, what happened to the memory of the blogs preceding this?
“The meaning of everything is the meaning I (we) choose to give it”.
I, for one, believe this blog is truly one of the most meaningful communications to the WORLD there is today. I would “love” it to continue.
Neale,
What meaning do you give it?
Blessings to all,
George

In the midst of all of the emotion, the belief and the disbelief……your reactions will reveal where you are attached, and where you need to let go. Suffering on any level is endless, until it is ended.

214 posts in two days! deepak chopra has not had that many posts in a year

It really amazes me that so much name calling and just plain mean-ness exists here from the participants (not all of course) on this wonderful site

to all who wrote your comments on neales mistake. Yes it was a bad mistake, but now its time to move on with this blog and find our truth. Many of us learned to trust ourselves and give love to everyone, mother earth (which we have nearly destroyed, in our insane desires ot domination) and love God and the Christ in us unconditionally. Let this blog be continued, if not on belief net, then on another website, so we can grow together and be a light in this world. Love to All. be blessed. Hope I can read neale’s blog and your comments for a long time. The first domino is starting to fall now, believe and have faith. Eleonore

little one (birdie)
I hope you visit one last time to read this. I truly wish you love, peace and blessing. Nothing more nor less. You are God’s precious child. My lack of proficiency in choice of words aside, I never meant to offend you. Somewhere in your heart, you know this.
I love you.
Love always, susan

It’s incredible to watch this pack of sycophants tell Chand she is *lucky* Mr. Steals His Stories swiped one from her.
“What an honor – Neale stole from you.” It doesn’t matter that *He* (obviously for many of you he is your God) made no money – it matters that he stole words and money attached to those words – from her. Get it?
Your words – ESPECIALLY the ultra-lame “oopsie it was the universal consciousness” — which is at worst Hindu religious thought and at best Bhuddism, but NOT Christianity!– make it clear you in no way represent the Christian God.
If Jesus ever met any of you hypocrites he couldn’t stop throwing up on you.

So, you found a paper on “inadvertent” stealing.
I can find papers from other college researchers stating without hesitation that the world is flat, that mankind has never gone to the moon, and that a plane never hit the Pentagon on 9/11.
So what’s your point?
What’s next -”the devil made me do it”?

I wonder what terrible disappointment has caused your obvious pain? It is possible to voice passionate disagreement without painting pictures of Jesus vomiting on anyone!
I am not a Christian, but I found the image vulgar.

“If Jesus ever met any of you hypocrites he couldn’t stop throwing up on you.”
I wonder what Jesus would have to say about your comment, Dr. Mason.
Blessed Be

@ Michelle (from January 7, 2009, 8:24AM)
No, Michelle, plagiarism is plagiarism, no matter who does it — no matter how many books he/she has written, no matter how much money he/she has, and no matter what his/her position of authority is. Nobody is exempted from this simple fact.
The original analogy fit the situation perfectly. Re-read it from an unbiased position. Then, ask yourself if you’d defend Chand if she was the one being accused of plagiarism.

Hahaha, this is funny.
Jesus throwing up on people, REALLY?!
Well, according to the bible God only sends sinners to hell, he doesn’t send Jesus to puke his lunch all over our faces.
Ugh.
You people are too funny, take a chill pill and stop flipping out.
(:

Neale,
My feeling is that every experience, including an experience of cryptomnesia, is, as Rumi describes, a “guide from beyond” to wake us up to a deeper reality – to help us make the “shift” to a deeper connection and communion with the Divine.
This may mean passing through the pain of judgement and ridicule, of being wrongly accused, condemned and crucified. But we can use this experience to deepen our connection with the suffering of all of those who have been judged, ridiculed, and wrongly accused, condemned and crucified.
Do you think it is a co-incidence that this situation revolves around the Christ story?
Co-incidence, as Albert Einstein said, is God’s way of remaining anonymous.
Christ too had to pass through the pain of judgement and ridicule, of being wrongly accused, condemned and crucified.
Use this painful experience as opportunity for spiritual growth – of connecting even more deeply with the Divine. You have many wise and loving friends who can help you in this process. Draw on their loving wisdom and assistance.
Do you recall the vision I had of a teacher being relieved, by angels, of a heavy backpack containing 22 books…so that they could rise to a deeper connection with the Divine?
What is being stripped away from you now?
Your reputation, your credibility, your integrity?
These are worldly things, not things of the Spirit.
Give to the world that which is theirs…and ascend in whatever way you choose to accept an invitation from the Divine for a deeper, richer relationship.
An expression of Love that transcends words, writings, books, concepts is available to you now.
Accept its invitation…and let your “self” go.
Use this experience to break free from the barriers that hold so many of us back from a deeper communion with the Divine.
Allow yourself to fully feel the pain of of judgement and ridicule, of being wrongly accused, condemned and crucified. These too are the gifts from beyond that Rumi describes.
Rather than striving only to defend your reputation, your credibility, and your integrity…seek from God the grace and strength to use this storm to wash away the old, so that the new may emerge, spread its wings and soar into the heavens.
When you look at your predicament from this higher perspective…there will be only one thing you will want to do…
…Laugh!
bhdt

Are some journalists going to find out how many of his other stories are not true?
Its an important story, as the New York Times will run it again, and the public has a right to know what is true, and what is fiction.

Ms. Chand is crazy to not believe you. If you were doing this on purpose there would be more occurrences and more profitable occurrences.

So you made an embarrassing mistake, Neale. Who hasn’t??? You’ve apologized appropriately, as any decent person would. It wasn’t a fatal mistake, so why treat it like one?

Neale
I couldn’t help but notice that your writings on this blog took a subtle turn late last year. The energy shift was by no means major, but it did make me wonder if there was something happening in your personal life that was distracting you or bringing you down a bit. I also suspected that this slight shift in focus would attract some unwanted complications. But such is life. The strength of our connection to spirit ebbs and flows like everything else. So dont worry, the pendulum will swing back, it always does. And I’m sure we all look forward to reading all that you have to offer this year.
Love and blessings.

I think if Mr. Walsch wanted to distinguish himself from the crowd, (yet again?) this is another opportunity to do so. I have not read any of his work, but I would really love to see him follow up with another blog or comment. It wouldn’t matter what he said. I for one, would not be expecting anything other than honest thoughts of a real person dealing with a real challenging experience of the mortality of his fame. And let the skeptics and critics and rabble come in and throw tomatoes, I am sure Shakespeare had to duck a few. So what if Mr. Walsch’ clothes get stained. This is where we all are mucking around in the audience pits. This is life! The way some of you write on this blog I get the impression that you are trying to avoid “life”. Suffer man, and acknowledge your own mortality, try even in defeat to stand up for your own morality too.
I don’t mean to street fight online, but to “be real”!

bhdt -
In no way has Neale been wrongfully accused. The cryptomnesia has come from 22 books of writings that state he believes himself to be God, and then all others connected to him in current Godhood. While the truth will always remain that we do have a portion of God within us, we are who we are – fallible humans with a portion of the divine within us; that it may grow in order for us to be prepared for the Godhood that is available through acceptance of the highest forms of love of all faiths, and then purely at Gods own hand in His decision of our becoming. It is not ours to decide when it is that we progress through the eternities. Because of an extended period of wrong thought, which thoughts are creative and real; because of Gods true will and way which Neales thought is not fully aligned with, his fallible thought has lead to a pride that denounces the validity of individual persons within the whole – which has lead to disillusion and cryptomnesia – which was his self permission to allow another’s beautiful piece of work to become his own. The truth of the matter is that all of this took place a few short days before Christmas time. He was adamant of speaking about suicide during such time. When it was brought to his attention that it was wrong; because he does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ yet desires to appear as such, he could not find a spiritual message of his own regarding the subject matter. And, he simply stole it instead.
However, it is because of the multitude of years of wrong thought that offer him the claim of innocence. In one posting by Dr. Mason, it is that Dr. Mason stated “Did the devil make me do it?”. And the answer is simply yes. Yes, indeed he did. For wrong thought without the acceptance of the whole leads the mind to see and believe things that are not of full truth. And yet within the mind that sees and believes these things, there is an innocence in that mind and in those thoughts. For it becomes shrouded in some darkness that the innocent mind can not perceive – in essence it believes the darkness to be the light. It has been deceived. And those who are deceived are innocent until the light has been casted upon the darkness, and the mind is free to choose. Then the mind becomes responsible for it’s actions. Neale is now responsible for his actions going forward from this point on.
This is how falling, forgiveness, understanding and reconciliation work, for the betterment of the soul.
Now, in darkness look how great he has become – can you see his ability in the true light? It is enough to potentially move mountains…
For the truth shall set you free.
It was stealing. But it also was deeply an innocent mistake.
Susan,
WIth respect, I wish you the same in peace, love and I would like to add truth. As it is, I do not know in my heart that which you state, for your actions towards me have been of a different nature than you have stated. However, I do still and will always love you and I do accept your apology. (Gentle smile)
I would like to thank you for one thing. You have lit the fire beneath me to now pursue the current day, wrongful matriarch. Thank you, Susan. I do suppose you have been a part of my portion of growth too. And it has been painful. I do not like to become angry with any. It hurts me to do so. But, I do believe in innocence. I do believe in all that which is truly good. And if there be but one heart on earth that strives for such, let it be mine – and if there is pain involved in bringing the innocence forward, let my Father go before me that He may take some of my burden and leave me standing. Let my Brother go before me that He may walk the steps I am to follow. Let my Husband go before me, that I may know love along the way.
Yesterday morning before yours and my posting, I awoke from sound sleep with two words and the thought given to me for the book to come. “The Matriarch”. However, the title is taken. So, it will be “The Matriarch Dynasty”. Thank you Susan for your help, even if it has been painful for you. You have been a part of my awakening. For this I truly hope your life is blessed equally.
Neale is and will be very well. He is in Gods and His sons hands now. Talk to Him Neale… you know who I speak of. He will set everything straight. He always does…
I would like to offer a prayer Father – that any Christian whom pursues Neale further asking for money, be treated exactly the same in their life experience. As the law is: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This prayer is for you Ms. Chand… Hurt him no further, please.
peace and love always be with you

Neale,
I will carry forward your message with the truth of it in it’s entirety, in the scope of the portion missing.
I love you so much. thank you friend… My prayers and my thoughts of love are with you always. I hope you can forgive me… And I hope that you see that I am not just walking home, I am not just jogging home, I am full on running…
See you in two years… Maybe less given physical circumstances.
love always

I don’t believe that is Neale posting in the comment section. The style of writing is not congruent with Neale’s.

“If Jesus ever met any of you hypocrites he couldn’t stop throwing up on you.”
Only a real born again Bible-thumper could write a post like that. Reasons to leave the Christian religion!
@ William: It’s all about the Benjamins. Sadly. Everything is these days.

Aaron,
I too am suspicious that the posting wasn’t Neale’s. He would be unwise to make any further comment beyond his original apology, especially since Ms. Chand has stated she does not believe his explanation. I see this eventually playing itself out in court. For the many, many other web sites, blogs, churches, ministers, and writers who have used a version (there are several versions with the first paragraph omitted) of Ms. Chand’s story without her permission, I would suggest that you remove them pronto in the event that the net for deep pockets is being cast as we speak.

Yes. It is a fact–there is a definition of plagiarism. Yet, the attempt to try and apply this definition across the board, in a blanket “one size fits all” fashion, is where we begin to witness fact meeting fiction.
Anyone who has ever taught English for any length of time knows firsthand that many types of plagiarism exist, from the blatantly, maliciously intentional to the inadvertantly unintentional.
In my opinion, whereas students perceive themselves as possibly benefiting from an intentional act of plagiarism(ie a higher grade), Neale benefited nothing from this temporary post.
Just my opinion.
Michelle

My heart has been sad today for Mr. Walschs pain…
It is always my way to leave with a song. I asked for a song to help me today – This is the one I was given. I would like to share it with you Neale…
I am sorry Ms. Chand is not being very christian like. 2 months ago I had a very large opportunity to bring a law suit against a person in my local area where I would have won. The truth was enough… simply enough. No more pain was needed. And I learned a very large lesson in it as well. A beautiful one.
This one is not my fault at all. Ms. Chand is making her own bed now… Please have peace in that Neale… And if you need me to stand up for you, I will!
If this happens, it concerns me that the christian community is denouncing it’s own faiths all together.
Heavenly Father will not be happy at all.
And, if need be, if it will help, I will make a scene outside the courthouse. A polite scene, a peaceful scene. But none the less a quiet protest to call to Christians to begin acting Christ like. And I am sure many will join me Ghandi style.
Anyways, I believe this song is for both of us…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI8I6qcxWyU
I’ll be around if you need me. Until then I reside in silence and lots of prayer.
love always

Today is not a good day for me…
bad, bad day.
Lots of tears.
I am so happy my husband is loving. I wish he were home right now. Only a few hours though…
Internal thought moments ago -
Dude. This sucks. Teaching adults to play nice…
Ms. Chand
please view this below of Neales own work.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HciPiZQnRBU&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4MdkTDf0is&feature=related
Candy, I am the one that pressed Neale for an understanding of Christ. And He Did! Maybe in a wrong way, but it was a huge stretch for him! Can’t you understand that he has been hurt huge by the Christian community, just like so many people around the earth have? As a christian, can you not understand this? And if you want to take it out on some one, take it out on me! I am the one to blame for this…
As the christians that we are – please, please do what we have been taught! What we know through spirit is right and true!
He told the truth which is the right way.
Now, please forgive which is the right way.
Give and take in love… that is what it is all about.
I believe I am done now. I am so sorry Neale.
love always

Reading so many posts, I have come to believe that I did not give Neale credit for all the good he has done. I am not a fan, but I know when to give respect to this gentleman. There was a blog (no16 from the top) that had Deepak Chopra’s name to it. Later it was changed to Anonymous by the powers that be. I was shocked that a writer of his standing could say what he said, obviously a case of not walking his talk? What did he stand to gain by this jibe? Admiration, I think not. Where is the benefit of the doubt? Where is live and let live? All this furore makes me wonder just how real our life is; is this what we can reality??? The answer to that question will lead us to placing peace our main priority, and love, our no 1 motivator.
I would say to Ms Chand if she is reading this, “Please don’t milk the situation, just leave it go. Let it pass. All this is not real, it is a lesson we learn on the road to what’s Real.” And anyone else who wants to criticize Neale, look in the mirror, you will find you are pointing the finger at YOURSELVES. Don’t be clever, be Real, be humane, be willing to love yourself and extend that same love outward. Once again, thank you dear Neale for all that you have done and will do. I absolutely believe you. God bless you, and God bless us all. For sadly, many are sorely in need of attaining the stage called, Human Being.
John

Mr. Walsch did not “make a mistake”–he “committed a crime.” And he still can’t admit to any of you that he did it, but is trying to sell this nonsense about having “unwittingly internalized” someone else’s work word-for-word.

dear little one,
Thank you so much for your kind words to me. You touched my heart and I am very grateful. My heart is joined with yours in wishing peace upon Neale. Perhaps this will afford him the opportunity to rest and reflect, as he has had such a busy life, and good will come out of it. I will keep my eyes open for your book. And here is a song for you, Neale & all of us:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww8wqEgFIA8
Love, Susan

why does there have to be such hashness?
if this man forgot or if this man stole, either way he has admitted error, he has apologized and he is enduring public humiliation, the questioning of his reputation and credibility. Isn’t that enough? May every person who renders mockery and judgment and condemnation upon this man receive back that which they reap. When it is your turn to err, which is human, may you be met with exactly the standard that you set for your fellow errants. May Mr Walsch & Ms Chand, the 2 at the center of all this, be blessed with peace. May the rest of us be blessed with peace when our moments arise as well.

I came back here to read the comments in the wake of Neale’s announcement and I have not been disappointed. I found the article he cited very interesting. As a writer who has authored more than 2,500 articles on a variety of subjects, I am not at all surprised by the idea of unintentional plagarism. What does always surprise me, and shouldn’t, is intentional cruelty. Here and in other places on-line, I have found that under the guise of anonymity, people feel free to divest themselves of the most harsh, cruel, sarcastic, mean-spirited drivel ever recorded in the course of human history.
The only person who really has cause to be upset with Neale is the author whose work he plagarized – and, perhaps, Beliefnet.
The rest of you angry people really need to get over yourselves.

Why is everyone having so much difficulties accepting Neale’s explanation here?
He has published dozens of stories like that here and he has always been willing to give credit to the original author or at least to admit that it wasn’t his original story. Then why would he possibly be so eager for people to believe this small story was actually his when it wasn’t??
Please give me one good reason for this. Would he gain respect from the fact that people would think this story was originally his and not just a story he heard once and wanted to share with others? Come on!!
Obviously Neale’s explanation is sincere and truthful.
There’s not a shadow of a doubt in my mind and I really feel bad for Neale because he doesn’t deserve this.
Koko

Thank you Susan for a reminder that will be with me always…
I love you!
Candy Chand has no reason for anger. For this has been our experience that she has received an unbelievably beautiful gift from. Beliefnet might have a slight reason to be angry…
I hope that I may make it up to you beliefnet? And I will. As an author I will return when time.
Candy, this opportunity – this gift of giving forgiveness, is a way of humility and thanks for the gifts you have received. For had I not pressed Neale, you would not have been blessed as fully. Please do not dishonor me… Please do not dishonor Christianity.
The opportunity is now, to continue in Gods blessing through giving forgiveness for taking the gift. It is a gift that I am so happy to give you, if you will do right by it. I do ask gently, please do what is right.
The total law that is spoken of in these parts, is regarding the total obedience to the universal law of love. The law of the land is right and just for our keeping. However, if we are truly Gods children born to inspire the multitude, it is not the law of the land that we seek. Is it Candy?
I say this with loving discernment.
And it will be my last approach towards you. I hope someone across this nation will encourage you to read my posts, for I know that it will speak to the childs heart within you.
Father, it is in your hands now… I have done all that I am capable of.
love always

All people who have read a lot in their lives and who write a lot as well would completely understand how easily possible this situation os for absolutely anyone. There is just One entity in the universe anyway – just One consciousness. Who would steal from whom? Who would plagiarize from whom? I am not trying to advocate that people should start taking each other’s work and start passing it on as their own. But it is well acknowledged, as has been famously said as well (and I frankly don’t Recall by whom!), that the earliest of writers too copied from one another. All written pieces, true or fictional, are always inspired by something else! Nothing is born out of a vacuum!
It takes tremendous courage, however, to come out and readily accept if such an error has been brought to one’s notice. Especially knowing that you are a famous entity in today’s spiritual realm! You have shown absolutely commendable honesty in admitting to it.
And when the glass of life is half, as usual there would always be those who see it as half full and those who see it as half empty. Those who do not see this incident as a show of your glorious courage, it’s their choice and is perfectly OK.
And those who are questioning whether Neale’s work should be “believed” because of this incident, well, those people obviously haven’t understood his “work” at all. There is nothing in it to “believe”. It is the same spiritual truth, extremely logical and intuitively obvious, which has been laid down by all spiritual masters.
When there is ONLY ONE truth about life, how can all of life’s individuations say it uniquely? The only thing that ever differs is the wordage and the phraseologies. Does Buddha;’s teachings become copyright, then? Does anyone use “their own words” ever to write anything at all? Almost all words that most people ever use have been worded and created by someone “else” sometime “else”. So isn’t everyone a plagiarist then?
Neale, this was simply an incident to experience this ONENESS from a different angle! That actually, each other’s experiences are everyones! That is in fact the first thing that hit me when I started reading this post! Isn’t that the spiritual truth, after all, that all of us have been trying to awaken the world to?
You’re a beautiful person, Neale, and it doesn’t matter whether people “believe” whether any of your work is your own. Because all your books are so utterly powerful, (after all, wasn’t the whole conversation with God just that? A talk with our own inner Self!?), that their impact would never be inconsequential, meaningless, and forgotten.
Be Happy! And Be Blessed!
Namaste!

Still crying…
Happy husband is home who has made me repeat “I am not responsible for Neale Donald Walschs actions” over and over until I could say it with a straight face. Man! There is the soul conscious and the individual conscious, and it is difficult to separate the two. But it has to be done for each individual souls purpose! And, he reminded me that God works through my actions, even if I do not like it at times. And he ended with “I absolutely adore you.”
This is so embarrassing! How is it that a story that started with a little girl who made a mistake that turned into the message “Christ was Love” 10 years ago, now possibly 10 years later is turning into “Christ IS love”, holding up big signs and making a big scene, with both authors that feel they have experienced the same thing!
Hope the crying stops soon.
Indigo out…

re; seeing thru the lies
please “seeing thru the lies” post a link to where it says that neale first stuck to his lie, until he was gonna be called out by the truth by the new york times. i am not calling u a liar, but if ur gonna make a statement like that, u should back it up with proof. because so far, every article i have read on this subject, has not mentioned that at all. and claimed neale was forthcoming and honest about his mistake. so please, if what u say is accurate, provide a link to where u heard or read that.

Neale, It is sad that you are leaving here. You have helped so many people through this blog. Thank you so much and of course there is a reason. You will be helping even more people soon. Be blessed always.

it is refreshing to read these comments. Why? Because I sense the real importance that many of you give to this experience. Who sent us this experience? God did. Who benefits from this experience?
So let me tell you what I am doing now as I am reading your comments, since my last posting. I am an EFL teacher to 9 students who have been banned from their universities across their country. The cannot go to school. And not only that, but also their younger brothers and sisters are being systematically hunted down by the national governments and their elementary schools in some cases if they are in the capital city, jr. high and certainly the senior high schools across that country are being notified of certain people to be banned from coming to school,
So as I am reading your texts here I am reading and giving feedback to students whose lives are being severely disrupted. Their futures are being severely challenged because they have to obey the government regulations. Theirs is one of the most basic rights of being able to express their potentiality that God has given them in this, the information age. You and myself, are in different contexts. We are able to go to school, to move to another town if necessary, to express our opinions without being physically threatened or having our most precious possessions, our most basic possessions threatened with being destroyed, possessed by the government, vandalized with no recourse to justice. God has given us this. We didn’t need to ask God, “Please don’t let me be born in that country, but let me be born in America.” We work at different jobs. I am a part time univ. lecturer in Japan. I perform this job for the benefit of my students. You have your work to earn your daily bread. The fruits of your work benefit someone, don’t they?
This is what we chose for our lives, isn’t it? We have taken what God has given us and made our lives as we live it right now, correct? And so, should we say that even though my students online who did not choose to be born in that country, and did try to choose to go to school, but the government and other agents have chosen to prevent them from having a chance to display what God has given in their souls to express in this world, have chosen to obey…….whom? Whom have my dear students chosen to obey? Or do you say it doesn’t matter. they really have no choice? Then in their case what is the meaning of “choice, and choosing”?
IN this case we are writing about now, Mr Walsch is in the process of making a choice, or does he have a choice? Is it already in the cards what Mr. Walsch will do? Are we just ringing our hands over our own ignorance?

Thanks John for mentionning comment #16
Was it truly Deepak Chopra who sent it?
Wondering why its provenance changed to Anonymous too.
Love, AM

This is what I have to say to Neale:
Well, to tell you the truth I don’t really care for the fact you used something that wasn’t yours as I do believe your explanation when you said: “…I must have clipped and pasted it into my file of ‘stories to tell that have a message I want to share.’ I have told the story verbally so many times over the years that I had it memorized … and then, somewhere along the way, internalized it as my own experience.” It does make sense what you said as it is perfectly normal for a human being to like something so much and believe in its truth so much that when you read it, think it and talk about it –it seams so real and feels that those are your own thoughts and words. Now, the truth is: how many times people have read books (like yours) that are so inspiring and contain so much truth that when you read them it feels like they belong to them that they are their own thoughts, own words, and own work. That means all people “appear to plagiarize” (to use Ms. Chand’s words), which makes the statement “we’re all one” even more believable! We are all with you Neale Donald Walsch! Your books and words are so inspiring and contain so much truth (at least for those who feel that way– remember the feeling is the language of the soul) that make us all at fault, that we all plagiarize and we all pretend…Is this what Ms. Chan intends to say? Then, please Neale, stop feeling sorry for what you did, stop blaming yourself, stop apologising. In the end, you have done no harm to no one as your words, as any other inspiring words, are all welcome and enjoyable that does not matter who said them, write them or proclaim them as their own. What matter is, that they (the words) bring only joy, pleasure and love for the soul. And thank you for this! The words are there and reflect the truth no matter to whom they are belonging. Therefore, no one would feel confused about the truth they contain, or the credibility of what it’s been said. I am not confused nor did they hurt me as Ms. Chand insinuated when she said: “…they damage other writers’ credibility and they hurt the reader because they never know what to believe anymore”. This statement is false as I am one of the readers. Also, it does not make any sense when she said: “Has the man who writes best-selling books about his ‘Conversations With God’ also heard God’s commandments? ‘Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not lie, and thou shalt not covet another author’s property’?” I wonder if she has read any of your books. Maybe she did or maybe she did not get the message, or maybe she is not supposed to get it. If she did, she should know that there are no commandments set by God, that God is only love, which makes her a false source of information that plays with people’s mind… And I’m sure there are many people out there who feel the same way as I do about this article. So again, don’t feel guilty about anything – bless it!

as u can tell, i highly doubt it was deepak chopra, as surely, i am not the actor gary busey. u can put whatever name u want on here.

i am not gary busey, anymore than comment number sixteen, was deepak chopra

re Gary: On the internet luckily, nobody remains fully anonymous.
There are tools to find out who is posting.
About the comment here above, the person who posted it only defines him/or/herself
And could get into troubles for insults.

God bless all of your mistakes and shortcomings, Neale. Remember to own them, to hold them – and then to let them go.
Thank God you’re just as flawsable as the rest of us:-)
I love your writing because of it, not in spite of it.
-Nicolas

Gina
Neale, stop feeling sorry for what you did, stop blaming yourself, stop apologising. In the end, you have done no harm to no one as your words, as any other inspiring words, are all welcome and enjoyable that does not matter who said them, write them or proclaim them as their own. What matter is, that they (the words) bring only joy, pleasure and love for the soul.
You words here seem to give permission to enjoy no matter what the source, and this is all well and good for the passive reader, for the educator, but the law has tried to define a boundary, for the person who is creating their livelihood by marketing their ideas such as Ms. Chand and Mr Walsch. It is equally for the protection of Mr. Walsch as it is for Ms. Chand. I suspect that Mr. Walsch has expressed his feelings of regret so lengthily, and has prompted him to search his mind so carefully, precisely because he understands the value exists so long as access to that desired product is controlled.
However as I mentioned in my first posting to this series comment on the blog, the Internet is going to warp and twist the boundaries of what is kept as one7s own and what is public domaign. Precisely because of your desire to drink from whatever fountain and then repeat and share and reform the ideas that you found there; where-ever it was, —you will soon forget, unless you footnote them, or have to use them in school, the source. And the scource may in turn be only a mirror like Wikipedia. Because of you and millions of others who use these ideas in other languges which can’t be searched for intellectual property rights as easily, and the mirrors they create….the sense of violation by Ms. Chand if seen from the future will seem as quaint as the musicians like Kiss, who have tried to stop the free sharing of their songs a year or two ago.
This is just the tip of the tip of the infomation berg.

I wonder what beliefnet is thinking
I bet they were very concerned during the first few days of these comments. I think they asked for updates on what is happening here.
I think they deliberated on what actions to take, or not to take, predicated on the nature of our comments… Those fears, or concerns, or prudent actions are somewhat relaxed. Yet, I think,
This might be venturing into a new world, for them, for us?
a small world, true; a very small part of a small world, true.
Yet, our way and the postings are ,b>not so predictable,
I believe, from my experience
that “predictability” is part of a bottom line, in this realm.
and that is the realm that beliefnet believes is real.

Hi AM, As you stated, regarding Gary et al, emails can be traced, so people who have nefarious “spin” purposes in posting can get caught and prosecuted. This attitude is criminal and despicable! John

Yesterday, Ms.Chand you made a christian indigo cry literally all day.
Remember that child that held the M upside down that inspired you to write the story?
That generation has grown up. And the woman that came to rock Neales boat to help him accept Christianity as a part of the New Age, is now the one to come rock your boat questioning your validity as a Christian writer.
I am going to the New York Times with the real and full story.
love always

I don’t know about the blog (No sweet 16) that had DC’s name to it. It happened a bit too early on for some jokers to “catch on”. I’m going to keep an open mind, to be fair to him. Thanks for mentioning it.
John

And while we’re waiting… http://www.Tut.com Weekdays only messages from the Universe, no less. Don’t be put off by the registration; I find the messages to be Very uncanily supportive personally. John Robbins

is there a way to go back and edit a post (comment) once its been posted? because i cant believe deepak chopra would say that, but it doesnt appear that one is able to edit what was already posted, but i could be missing something.

“NOTHING MATTERS”.
Nor does the back and forth of what we think/perceive.
We’re all still “here”. Unless we’re not.
I pray for my “self” which includes us all.
That’s all I can do in this holy eternal moment of now.
Bless us all.
George

Thank you John for such a beautiful message shared.
I love you!
Smiling today because of it. Love has begun to power in my life today, and for this I am so deeply grateful.
I must be doing something right. Amidst the tears that I have experienced; what is right, which is love will always prevail.
love always

Dude, you’ve got to be kidding me. This is the most lame, humanist excuse I’ve ever heard one give for making a mistake.

Presidential politics is a great example that once we make a mistake – it is better to tell the truth.
Neale has done that. There’s no doubt that Neale has thousands of files on his computer – and with 9 kids having Christmas plays over the years – and with his whole life essentially being a “hunt for inspiration and wisdom” – that his explanation is the truth.
Admittedly I lied – and my reasoning was that since
Hillary simply cannot tell the truth [see list below] [far worse than Bill
ever was] – that there was no reason for me to be honest.
My staff gave me this list of Hillary Lies – and also showed me that if the Presidential election was held in 2007 – that Hillary would get 90% of the Democrats to vote for her. So – of course, being a Democrat – I had no reason to be honest.
• Chelsea was jogging around the Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. (She was in bed watching it on TV.)
• Hillary was named after Sir Edmund Hillary. (She admitted she was wrong. He climbed Mt. Everest five years after her birth.)
• She was under sniper fire in Bosnia. (A girl presented her with flowers at the foot of the ramp.)
• She learned in The Wall Street Journal how to make a killing in the futures market. (It didn’t cover the market back then.)
Whoppers She Won’t Confess To
• She didn’t know about the FALN pardons.
• She didn’t know that her brothers were being paid to get pardons that Clinton granted.
• Taking the White House gifts was a clerical error.
• She didn’t know that her staff would fire the travel office staff after she told them to do so.
• She didn’t know that the Peter Paul fundraiser in Hollywood in 2000 cost $700,000 more than she reported it had.
• She opposed NAFTA at the time.
• She was instrumental in the Irish peace process.
• She urged Bill to intervene in Rwanda.
• She played a role in the ’90s economic recovery.
• The billing records showed up on their own.
• She thought Bill was innocent when the Monica scandal broke.
• She was always a Yankees fan.
• She had nothing to do with the New Square Hasidic pardons (after they voted for her 1,400-12 and she attended a meeting at the White House about the pardons).
• She negotiated for the release of refugees in Macedonia (who were released the day before she got there).
Anyway – Since Obama got a 600K house for the price of 1/2 the lot – in an obvious bribe from Tony Rezz … and Bill Richardson [also a guy who ran for the Democratic nomination] can’t explain why as soon as he got a large contribution into his state campaign – the donor was awarded with a billion dollar contract … and in fact anyone involved with Democratic Politics in the state of Illinois – has no choice but to grease the palms [YES - IN CASE ANYONE DOUBTS ME - the state of Illinois is run by a mob ... called the Democratic Party ... and you don't make a move, build a building, get a job, get a big donation, or land big deal without paying bribes] … I thought – so what … so I had an affair …. big freakin deal …
My point here is this.
Neale told the truth. He has no reason to “steal” the words of anyone – - and he didn’t intentionally do it.

He came he stole he got caught. end of story.
I dont think it is that big a deal – but then the people directly involved probably do – so it has to be up to all of them to decide what to do about it.I just hope people start to just chill out and think for themselves instead of buying yet another book by this joker who says he does not have all the answers – but buy the next book anyway cos ya never know..
What makes me wanna puke is that a lot of people on here seem to be tallikg like he does, or picking up soundbites and catchprases from these books. what is wrong with everyone?!? its amazing. he has been laughing all the way to the bank for a long time and probably cannot himself beleive just how long he has been able to keep selling the same book over and over! Ahah ha ha ha!! time for everyone to grow up and time for mr walsch to retire.

Bill,
You asked how we know that Neale did not apologize until he knew the New York Times was going to expose him? Check out the article at this web page. In it you will find that:
“It was not until Beliefnet and Walsch learned that a New York Times reporter was working on an article about the incident that the post was removed and Walsch issued an apology”
But before you look at the article, first notice that Beliefnet took down my first post. Most likely because they know that both them and Neale tried to cover it up at first and they also didn’t take action until the Times was going to report it.
Read the facts here:
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090110/NEWS/901100313
Once again, I might have some respect for Neale or Beliefnet if they both would have come clean when they were first contacted on January 2. But they chose not to. When you paint yourself in a corner, apologies don’t mean much after that. Besides, his apology lost all credibility when he stated that it wasn’t his fault, but a trick of his mind.
That should scare the rest of you into thinking that his conversations with whatever god supposedly talked to him, was also a trick of his mind.

If you visit the link I gave you above:
http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090110/NEWS/901100313
You will also be interested to read that the researcher whose work Neale cited as an excuse for what he did (Lead researcher David McCabe, a psychology professor at Colorado State University) said this when he was contacted about Neale using his research as an excuse:
“Inadvertent plagiarism is more likely to occur in older adults, he said, but plagiarized material more than a paragraph long is very unlikely to be copied by accident, he said.
“If there’s a long passage, from a paragraph up, then it’s almost impossible that that could be inadvertent plagiarism,” he said.

Just found your blog, and yes I have all your books, Hmmm, I guess Im still searching, the wheel goes round and round

I wonder what beliefnet is thinking
I bet they were very concerned during the first few days of these comments. I think they asked for updates on what is happening here.
I think they deliberated on what actions to take, or not to take, predicated on the nature of our comments… Those fears, or concerns, or prudent actions are somewhat relaxed. Yet, I think,
This might be venturing into a new world, for them, for us?
a small world, true; a very small part of a small world, true.
Yet, our way and the postings are ,b>not so predictable,
I believe, from my experience
that “predictability” is part of a bottom line, in this realm.
and that is the realm that beliefnet believes is real.

I did it!
I wrote the story to the NY times…
Neale. I do love you. Candy, I do love you too. However, forgiving is a great thing right now… And everyone else, I love you too…
Anyways, here is to trying.
love always

it is jump time Neale…
thank you for understanding me before you knew you really did…
love always

re; seeing thru the lies,
thank you for posting the article. i am very surprised. he only issued apology after he was cornered and had no choice. he first tried to keep it covered up. i just cant figure out why he would do it. why plagerize on a website that is seen by millions, an article in a blog, in which u recieve no financial benefit. i find myself wanting to defend him, cuz i dont wanna believe the truth. by saying..maybe when confronted, he still believed it was his story, and it couldnt have been anyone else’s and at first he was just told another author had published it, but a few days passed and he found out, and then accepted it?? i dont know. i feel like im trying to defend him, like people who tried to defend oj when he killed two people, they just couldnt believe it. i guess i have to accept the truth.
thanks again seeing thru the lies for the article.

I think I know of someone who tried to plagurise Mr Walsch up here in Oregon his name is Bob White, only the conversations he had with God were on the phone over the radio when his sidekick David Masters was away this guy had the same conversations. Unlike Mr Walsch who’s talks were in private. these conversations should be looked into

From Neale to the ReCreation foundation:
My dear friends…
Many of you may already know that I have made a serious error in my posting of Dec. 28 on the CWGBlog on Beliefnet. It’s important to my heart that I address those of you who read this Bulletin, because I realize that if you have followed the messages of Conversations with God this may be a time of puzzlement and discomfort for you, as well as for me.
I published on the blog an anecdote that I believed to be about my son Nicholas. I found the piece in my computer file, and it was about a class of young school children giving a Christmas Concert nearly 20 years ago, with children holding up letters that spelled out CHRISTMAS LOVE. The story went on to say that one little girl had held her sign…the ‘M”…upside down by mistake…and so the words spelled out CHRISTWAS LOVE.
You cannot imagine my shock when another author, Ms. Candy Chand, contacted me and Beliefnet to say that she had written those paragraphs, about her son Nicholas, ten years ago. She said that it had become quite popular, and was being sent at the time all over the internet-often without attribution to her.
Here, I would like to share my authentic experience of how this case of unintentional use of her words as mine came about.
I, like many folks, have thousands of word documents in my computer, including all of my 22 books and hundreds of other writings — as well as stories and anecdotes I have collected through the years from other sources, some attributed, some not. When I was looking for something to place on my blog for the Christmas season in `08, I came across this item, which began with the words…
“My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year…”
Because I went to more than one of my own son’s Christmas concerts 20 years ago, and because so much of what was described in the writing was absolutely something I might have done, I thought to myself, “Wow, I’d completely forgotten about that. Now I remember that I used to tell that story!” Finding this story, which someone must have sent to me years ago and which I obviously clipped and pasted into my computer, “reminded” me. These things go around the Internet, just as Ms. Chand explained, and not always in pure or unaltered form. But when I opened the file ten years later I never questioned that (a) I had written those few paragraphs about it, and (b) it happened in my life just as it was described. I thought that I had just not remembered it in the moment I opened that file, but that the file had jogged my memory. This would not be unusual for me. Nor would it be unusual for me to have eventually forgotten the specifics of a one-evening experience of 20 years ago–until reminded of them.
I see now, ruefully, that my mind played a trick on me. I have to tell you that I have spent a few quiet days looking at all of this. I have explored it spiritually, metaphysically, and on a purely physical level.
From that last level it has told me something about some of the possibilities of getting older, and how it feels to see that your memory is not as sharp as it used to be. It is not a fun thing to look at.
Metaphysically, I believe that this is an exquisitely designed event, because it makes it very clear once again that I am a very normal human being, with failings, faults, and foibles like the rest of us, and that we are most benefited when we do not seek our spiritual wisdom from another person, but return to ourselves, always to ourselves, referencing our own inner experience as the highest authority. This, of course, is the message of all the Conversations with God books.
After all is said and done, I can only trust that people will easily see that I had nothing at all to gain from this; that, after having written millions of words, there would be no benefit to me whatsoever in deliberately “stealing” the words of another for a 9-paragraph temporary blog entry.
I would like to say here that I feel certain that author Candy Chand is a fine and wonderful human being. I understand fully why she would be upset with what has happened here. As with many of us who are writers by profession, it has happened to me as well.
To make this particular matter worse, however, I was facilitating our annual holiday spiritual renewal retreat when she first tried to reach me about this error, and it was only when Beliefnet contacted me seven days later that I learned of her distress and request for correction. As well, I learned just two evenings ago that she left a message at our Foundation office during that time…but that this message was never passed on to me.
I now see that at any one of several junctures this misstep on my part might have been resolved. In the fact that these early opportunities were missed I also see the elegance of the design, for Ms. Chand must surely have been frustrated at nothing having been done about the problem, requiring her to move more forcefully on her own (something I surely would have done!) to produce some response and result.
This, in turn, has brought her wonderful story to an even wider audience than ever…and it is a story about Christ’s love that deserves to be heard by everyone. I am pleased that it immediately jumped in sales on Amazon.com from around #500,000 to #99,000. God works in wonderful ways!
While I am in no way seeking to excuse my error, I have been trying hard to understand it. And so I was relieved to some degree when I received in my email box a note from a reader pointing me to a scholarly paper published by university researchers describing what they called “memory error” and “inadvertent plagiarism” or, in scientific terms, cryptomnesia. This, they said, is the ability of the mind to “remember” things that have never occurred in the first person, and to even see ideas and words, previously gathered somewhere else, as one’s own creations. This response is particularly found as persons become older, the researchers said.
Again, this does not excuse my error, but it could possibly explain it. As a writer and a lecturer, I have always diligently sought to give appropriate credit to anyone whose work has inspired me to use it in my presentations. I can promise you that I will redouble those efforts in the future. For now I can only again express the hope that Ms. Chand will accept my sincere apology for my error.

Neale tell us about the conversations Bob White had with God on the telephone, on the radio, how his was similar to yours

re; gary
im curious as to what you are eluding to..?? i know that neale donald walsch was known as “bob white” in rogue valley talk radio. are u saying that neale (bob white) on the radio would have these same so called “conversations with god”??? …… long before he supposedly sat down in the middle of the nite and had them when he was desperatly searching for answers…?

Dear Neale,
Hurry up and get back to posting on this blog. All the value that you have added to it over the years is being neutralized by bitter comments from jealous people who desire your success.
Neale, you have added so much value to my life. I recalibrate my mindset on a daily basis by reading and internalizing your writings. This blog was a recalibration tool for me. However, by the looks of some comments it is a source of irritation. Well guess what, they shouldn’t read it if it upsets them. I suppose fools will be fools until they are not.
In summary, hurry and get on with the blog! We miss you!

Mr. Walsch,
I have just finished reading your last 1/11 message. I would add my voice to those who ask you and beliefnet to continue your blog. All of our experiences operate on these various levels that you mention, it is usually only the larger that they appear in front of us that it is the easier to pay attention to their various levels of meaning. And even then there is a chance of intervening circumstances.
The decline of our physical powers on this plane is an inevitable process which the American Dream tries hard to postpone. Nothing particularly wrong with that but it also can mean postpone being born. By this I mean we have to separate sometime and forge our own identities through mistakes, etc. It is this that I have taken to noticing while reading the comments to your blog.
These kinds of experiences don’t happen every day (fortunately or unfortunately?) and they off a momentary window to see things more clearly. Then they close, or we close those windows, I think, because of whatever…and return to the regularly scheduled programming. In those few moments, days, we see our values and where and how we stand up. Alot of people are being hurt, these days, economically, and in their minds by the fear of insecurity. Your experience, which I can’t understand as being such a big event (because I have never read your books or even heard your name from here in Japan) has seemed a sign of just another one of the hurts traveling down the highway. I can understand YOU being hurt, The interesting diversity of the good things about the American spirit, and its weaknesses.
However I tend to cast a critical eye on beleifnet. By their silence they spoke loudly enough. I think that silence shows where their values are placed. They are the host, and if there is a problem at the party, the host is supposed to show leadership skills and come in and reassure everyone until the situation is clarified. I don’t see any thing that beliefnet has done that shows much of anything. Silence just leaves everyone to generate whatever is inside them, darkness or light. It speaks to me of a lawyer’s way of behaving, a lawyer trapped in the current social context of everyone looking out for themselves.

Mr.Walsh: As you know, your books are based on much older writings and belief systems. There is nothing original in any of your “teachings.”

Seeing Through the Lies,
Was your own post here dated January 10, 2009 6:09 PM an intentional or inadvertent act of intellectual dishonesty?
In attempt to sway the readers of this blog to your own opinion, you misquoted a lead researcher’s statement outlined in an article in the Mail Tribune, which you provided the link to in your above post. McCabe DID NOT say, as you claim in your post, that cryptomnesia is an impossibility in Neale’s case. In fact, the article by Julie French in the Mail Tribune you cite actually cites McCabe as saying the reverse of your claim, Seeing Through the Lies.
The following is a direct quote from French’s article:
“Lead researcher David McCabe, a psychology professor at Colorado State University, said inadvertent plagiarism was a possibility in this case.”
“Most people think of memory as sort of a video camera or tape recorder, where memory is more reconstructive,” he said. “You know that maybe some information comes to mind about an event and then we start filling in the details.”
“The more similar an event is to a person’s real life, the more likely he would be to inadvertently copy or internalize it and forget the real source, McCabe said.”
Seeing Through the Lies, the quote you provided wasn’t even made by McCabe at all. It was made by Anderson Smith who the article tells the readers that Smith, and I quote, “declined to comment directly on the case.”
You should really be careful how you quote, Seeing Through the Lies. Misquotation for the sake of misrepresentation of another’s words to benefit your own argument is intellectual dishonesty. I would make a habit of rereading the article carefully.
I only read the article you cited because I thought it would be extremely unlikely that a reputable scholar would make the hasty comment you claimed without considering all the facts in this case; namely, that in the age of the internet cutting and pasting is rampant; and that the very text in question, has been sent on the internet for years without its source being cited properly; that Neale benefited nothing from the temporary posting; that the quaint anecdotal story bears no resemblance to the 22 books written by the world-renowned author; and finally, that Neale writes prolifically, has thousands and thousands of documents on his computer and millions and millions of readers and admirers all over the globe, some of whom send him clippings and writings (of their own as well as of others), and that we reading this blog simply do not have all the facts in this case. Who is to say that a person did not clip the document and mail it to him in an altered format?

Neale,
It is my intention that you are, in this moment, seeing your egoic reactions and involvement in this matter are nothing and arise out
of what you would call “a false sense of separation (an illusion)”.
You now clearly see that none of this means anything at all in Consciousness and that whatever meaning or significance which you or any individual might give to it does not, and can not, matter to God at all.
Recognizing that you have unwittingly (un-Consciously) slipped into low states of Consciousness in entertaining thoughts and feelings of anything but Good in this matter, you now release any attachment to such thoughts as being nothing more than mere entertainment and excitement in individual use of a Universal Mind Which knows only Itself as One and Whole.
Seeing your personal egoic reactions as the non-sense and insanity they truly are, you Naturally choose to release and let go of any and all thoughts of the illusions of separateness and self importance and you choose to invite, entertain and focus upon only those thoughts which reflect the perfection of God in all of this and in everything.
Having Consciously chosen to see all things as they Really are, you now rest in the Peace and Joy That is always available and for The Power to do this you are now Grateful beyond your ability to express by words and for your experience of this I too am grateful beyond words.
Understanding and knowing The Law of Cause and Effect, I easily release these words, spoken in Truth, to this Very Law, convinced beyond any shadow of a doubt, but rather in full and complete conviction and knowing, that all of this is so even as I set these words into visible print.
Namaste’,
God

Neale did not know about it for several days because he was involved in an intensive holiday spiritual retreat. Messages to his office were not forwarded to him. When he found out about it he responded immediately.
All you who judge him do not know him.
And you certainly must not have read his many books, or you would know he has no need to steal someone else’s story. He has an incredible life story all his own. I’m sure this incident is devastating to him at this point in his life and career, but he will bounce back stronger than ever.
All things are unfolding in Divine Order for the good of all concerned.

My name (Your Name) above is Phyllis.
When I had to refresh the spam-prevention box thingee,
it erased my name but I didn’t notice until I sent and it was posted.
Just wanted to post my pro-Neale comment under my name, not anonymously.

Michelle, thank you for the clarity which you gave concerning the quotation by David McCabe and to which Seeing Through the Lies had provided.
I read the article entitled ‘Author explains misdeed’ by Julie French in the Ashland Daily Tidings dated January 9. In it, it said (and I quote from the article):
“Anderson Smith, a psychology professor at Georgia Institute of Technology who published the research along with McCabe declined to comment directly on the case.
Inadvertent plagiarism is more likely to occur in older adults, he said, but plagiarized material more than a paragraph long is very unlikely to be copied by accident, he said.
If there’s a long passage, from a paragraph up, then it’s almost impossible that that could be inadvertent plagiarism” he said.
Julie French commented that “Walsch said he did not have enough scientific background to respond to opponents of the theory”.
If people wish to read the full article, it can be found by googling Ashland Daily Tidings Author explains misdeed.

I admire your magnanimity Neale. And I’ve always known you will be back soon. How? The language of the Heart told me so. Mistakes are stepping stones to greater things… I’m now less scared of making them, thanks to you. They bring out the Real and dissolve the mutant, vouch for simplicity and melt away complexity. Is “mistake” another word for Blessing?
Love,John

Your Name,
Re: Your post of January 11, 2009 10:25 AM
For further clarity, it should be reiterated here that your quote by Anderson Smith was not a quote Smith made in a direct reference to Neale’s specific case.
As the article for the Mail Tribune by Julie French clearly states, Smith refused to make any comment whatsoever directly on Neale’s particular case. Here is the actual quote:
“Anderson Smith, a psychology professor at Georgia Institute of Technology who published the research along with McCabe, declined to comment directly on the case.”
Obviously there are many influential factors that a scholar would have to consider and place into rightful context before forming an opinion in Neale’s specific case.
Michelle

“I think they asked for updates on what is happening here.”
Um…this is Beliefnet’s own blog. Can they themselves not read??
After days and days of writing all this nasty stuff at “susan” and “I did this” and “I did that” and “I’m going to the New York Times,” after all this grandstanding and drama from “little one,” I’m really curious to know who she is.

Bill Yes Bob White was having phone conversations with God when his co host David masters was absent. He had many conversations with God on the phone long before his night time ones

I am shocked and astounded to read some of the really quite nasty comments here. Shame on all of you who are being judgmental. It is quite obvious from Neale’s heartfelt explanation and apology that this was simply a mistake. It clearly was not his intention to take credit for someone else’s words. Get over it people! Glass houses and stones!
Neale, please don’t let an honest mistake take you away from Beliefnet. You are valued here.

I do not like Mondays. But this monday I like. Neale is back…….

Anonymous no name who doesn’t like me very much…
God sent a gift yesterday. A gift of light in the shape of an M on my right hand for the photo submitted to New York times…
It wasn’t noticed until the picture was uploaded in to the computer yesterday. And the picture was taken the day after I cried all day…
This will be my last post until all of this is through.
Disbelieving onlookers can consider me a nuisance. However, I have come to learn they do not understand us that are close to Heavenly Father, nor how He moves us at His will.
You hurt me with your words, but it is of no matter. My faith is in a greater power.
Please be well. And love always…