January 2008 Archives

Biggest news on the spirituality rialto: Oprah’s book club choice in March will be Eckhart Tolle’s "A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose." It’s the first time Oprah has chosen a book from the self-help/spirituality genre. "This is my boldest choice yet, not a novel, not a memoir," Oprah exclaimed on her show. "I’m over-the-moon excited."

But wait, there’s more.

In "a worldwide, groundbreaking event," Tolle, a gentle spiritual leprechaun with a soft German accent, will be co-teaching a 10-week free course on the book on Oprah.com with none other than Oprah herself. It’s a step forward in her mission "to lead people to their highest selves," and perhaps the first time Oprah has openly worn the mantle of spiritual teacher that many of us have already placed on her.

"I was so awakened by the message of this book that I wanted to share it with you," she said. "It really is about creating a new you from the inside out and a new earth that’s possible for all of us."

The course starts March 3rd. Stay tuned...

-- Posted by Wendy Schuman

Everybody, sitting down? Britney was taken to the hospital again in the wee hours. TMZ was running exclusives all night long. You can hardly blame them though--their business model relies on this kind of gossip--for running the story, and proudly, with a nice shot of Britney looking either deranged or seriously pre-coffee in the ambulance.

But in the strange media maelstrom that governs stories like this these days, both the L.A. Times and The New York Times websites ran the story as front-page news, justifying their interest by reporting the presence of other professional onlookers. "The winding street on which Spears lives in Studio City," says the L.A. Times, "was jammed with the vehicles of journalists and photographers for several hours prior to the police operation."

Like the recent dustup over the revelation that the AP has Brit's, LiLo's and other young stars' obits pre-written, this is a story that confuses covering a story with a story. Major news outlets, which used to pride themselves on making news judgments, are increasingly driven by their websites' traffic minders to carry the story that's generating heat. Their attention, in turn, makes a story a legitimate one. We've always paid attention to stars' private lives (kids, lookup a lady named Liz Taylor), but the web's butterfly effect fans every leaked photo into a tsunami. But having an obit on file doesn't mean a star's death is imminent; having paparazzi and bloggers accompany a star to the hospital doesn't mean we need to pay attention.

More than a dozen of the greatest names in country music come together to celebrate the gospel classics that are a staple of the Grand Ole Opry on "How Great Thou Art: Gospel Favorites From The Grand Ole Opry," releasing February 5.

What makes the album special is not just the play list of songs but also the voices that give them life.

Recorded live at the legendary music venue in Nashville, Tennessee, the album includes songs from stars like Loretta Lynn ("Where No One Stands Alone"), Ronnie Milsap ("Precious Lord, Take My Hand"), Alan Jackson ("Blessed Assurance"), Brad Paisley ("The Old Rugged Cross"), Carrie Underwood ("How Great Thou Art"), Trace Adkins ("Wayfaring Stranger"), Patty Loveless ("Precious Memories"), Sara Evans ("Just A Closer Walk With Thee"), Vince Gill ("Give Me Jesus"), and a duet with the Charlie Daniels Band and Third Day's Mac Powell (a somewhat frenetically paced "I'll Fly Away").

If you're a fan of country music—real country, not crossover pop—this album is a must have. A little twang, soaring harmonies, and some steel guitar are what make songs like "A House of Gold" (Dierks Bentley) and "Family Bible" (Ricky Skaggs and The Whites) classic country gospel. And even if you're just a casual listener of country (like when you're forced to listen while riding in your husband's truck), there's something about this album that will pull at your heartstrings.

I've never actually been in the Grand Ole Opry (unless you count being backstage in the press room during the Dove Awards, in which case then I've seen that room---and the bathrooms) but as I listened, I felt like the ghosts of legends long gone joined their voices on this moving tribute to a historic venue that has a place in the hearts of music fans of all ages.

--written by Joanne Brokaw

This year's Beliefnet Film Awards are now live and waiting for your votes! As in past year's we've named five nominees in each of three categories: Best Spiritual Film, Best Spiritual Performance, Best Spiritual Documentary. To see who was nominated, watch clips, see what our panel of judges have to say about them, and vote, click here.

But first, watch a short video introducing many of this year's top nominees:

For the Beliefnet Film Awards homepage, click here.

Last week, Ellen Leventry reviewed Fox's new reality show "Moment of Truth"--wherein contestants answer questions while hooked up to a polygraph machine--and said she is unsure of the show's ethical implication. Here's video from one recent episode. What do you think of this concept?