Reverend Oprah? Or Religious Overreaction?

I kind of wondered if she didn't fit into that category. Several other celebrities, had gone that way. Don't hear much from them anymore." This religion" goes back to the early 60's. Very dangerous thinking.

What is everyone so afraid of? Isn't there room for all religions in this country?

Is what she is saying any more far fetched than "traditional" church teachings?

I must add as well, if the only reason you do something in your life is because some Celebrity is doing it, then get your nose out of the tabloids.
Tom Cruise is a Scientologist, so what, my best friend is Catholic, she would have more influence over me than Tom would (and I'm not involved with either ).
Just because Oprah endorsess something or someone, dosen't mean I have to agree because she is OPRAH, I don't have to follow something because of a celebrity, we call it free will and thought.

Jesus loved the world so much, he died to save us.
No matter what church one attends, this truth is most important.
Love one another, do not judge, and set a Christ like example. Our rewards are eternal life. "For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son." that who so ever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die.
I believe this.I do not need any special religion to do so. Love the Lord, do his work, and do not judge.

Yep....Oprah's not a typical, run-of-the-mill Christian. Ms. Kreitzer is not a typical, run-of-the-mill Roman Catholic. Both are expressing the truth as they see it. I disagree with both and see the truth differently from either. The differance I see between Oprah & Ms. Kreitzer is mainly one of tolerance. Oprah actually listens to those who disagree with her and treats them courtiously when she invites them onto her show. I can't imagine Ms. Kreitzer inviting "heretics" or the "Lavender Mafia" to respond to her writings.

The biggest problem I have with religion is the narrow minded attitude that speaks of tolerance and then condemns everyone who does not believe exactly what they believe. They talk of the Bible, then turn around and judge. I was taught that only God had the right to do that. I believe that there is more than one way to celebrate your beliefs. I do not believe that there is only one path to heaven and that the narrow minded conservative religious people are not the only ones who will get there. If what they believe is the only and right way, why are they always so threatened by anyone who puts a little different spin on it? Oprah is not a guru or religious leader. She is a talk show host who introduces new ideas to her viewers, who then have the responsibility and opportunity to do what they wish with the information. If these Christians are being lured away by Oprah, their beliefs were not that strong anyway. By the way, I do believe in God and Christ, but I do not follow any specific religion. Joe

Oprah is far from being a religious leader, but some people are
gaulable to think that way.

I do not watch Oprah. But I do like her thoughts and ways of doing things in a new era of truth and being. Many of you respectfully mention the bible as if the bible is the only spiritual truth. I have been a scholar of the bible for years and of religion in general. I was raised in a Southern Baptist church! I have found that NOTHING in the bible is original. The book of revelations comes from a host of other nations and races that gave prophetic messages about the current events that this earth is facing! All the scribes did is take bits and pieces of this information and put THEIR own spin on it! Why the copying? For political power and control the very same thing your government is doing now to YOU AT THIS VERY MOMENT! These prophecies are speaking about a major earth shift and change that is going to happen on a PHYSICAL level and many top scientists have already predicted these events. This is what is going to cause the imagery of Armageddon! Polarity shifts. Spiritual ascension is going to occur with those who are OPEN to the spiritual energy, this is the metaphor of Jesus coming back to get those who IN HIM! This is a Mayan Prophecy, do the homework!!! The bible and Christianity is the youngest religion out here! What do you think they used for their foundation for religious texts????? Check out history! I know churches do not encourage knowledge seeking in religious doctrine or studies among Christians because they do not wish to expose the truth to the sheep! I agree with the person who said that if Oprah can lead so many Christians away from their faith, then it wasn't very strong to begin with, and why is this?! Because most, not all, most Christians don't have a true spiritual connection with the creator, they only go by what is being preached to them from a pulpit! This makes their faith PASSIVE. Which is why most have to keep running back to the church to get re-baptized to remove their sins! I believe in Jesus, but I do not subscribe to this messages in the same way that the bible states them. Too many discrepancies in the bible for it to accurate and to be the ONLY WAY!!

Tolerance is a nasty word. Peace, love, acceptance of different views and compassion are what the world should be founded on. Not hate, not judgment, not cruelty. There are MANY WAYS TO THE CREATOR, Satan is the dark side of humanity! The shadow, which is released through ego and the personality, it is not of the highest creation, but it is necessary for us as humans to make spiritual changes.

Of course many Christians will claim that I am lost and misguided and jump on the "I'll pray for you band wagon". Do me a favor, pray for the world to find love, compassion and the "one" and not live in hatred, fear or ignorance. When doing this let yourself into that prayer. I respect your beliefs, your faith, please respect others, didn't Christ teach this? Besides, if I am wrong, I will be forgiven for my misguidance because the bible tells me so!

peace. love and light

Angel

To Angelic soul

You said you believed in Jesus. To believe in him, you have to believe what he said and believe it's true. Jesus said I am the way. Not a way,the way. Not my openion or anyone else. No one will ever show you more mercy and forgiveness than Jesus, but there's more to God than love. One day you, me and all others will meet the Judge. what will your sentence be

Bandwagon

I LIKE MISS OPRAH A LOT FOR WHAT SHE'S DONE FOR SO MANY PEOPLE. IT'S A SHAME THAT SHE HAS TURNED HER BACK ON CHRISTIANITY AND ITS NAMESAKE WHO HAS MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE TO SAVE ALL PEOPLE THAT ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT IT.

I still watch Oprah if her show is of interest. I am adult enough not to be swayed by her Religious or Political views. Her support of Obama annoyed me more than her support of a book.

I find Joel Osteen FAR more frightening as a cult leader. He's strange.

In the end times many will fall away. They will have their ears tickled with new religions and philosophies. This is about a book that has been proven over and over through history. Many prophesies have been fulfilled with the best yet to come. We think we are so smart, yet we are so dumb to be fooled with the new age religion. Bottom line is, Jesus is the only way to God because of what he did on the cross. He is the reason we have hope. Embracing other lies will not bring peace to our souls that lasts for eternity. We must be very careful with the evil at work in our world right now.Embrace Jesus,not religion or spirituality.

Ms. Winfrey is a free spirit to speak what she believes in acountry where we have freedom of speech if we are ignorant enough to believe what anyone believes without checking it out and questioning so be it. She has not entered our brain - we are free to acept or deny.
Anyway with all that she has I will continue to mind my own business - I can watch and listen she cannot convert anyone unless they want to be converted. Christianity teaches first remove the mote from your eye before removing it from your brother or sister.

Christians - let us get busy and teach our lessons to convince the Oprah following to come over to your side
if we feel that strongly about what she says on her show - I do not hear her inviting anyone to join her. Just tell your followers do not watch the Oprah show - why are you watching it ?
we all have big voices use it, Leave the lady alone - I do not hear about all the giving she does?

I also am saddened by this. It seems to me people can think what they want but everyone should study whatever they practice themselves. The BIBLE has always gotten threats and Oprah is the new threat. Every few years someone tries to defeat the BIBLE.There is no better book out that can top the BIBLE. Its old fashion but just like Oprah has her tv study, why naysayers can't go to a BIBLE study and get answers. We have to study for ourselves. This is this persons opinion.Who is this new person that they have more clout than the BIBLE that has been out for centuries and still holding on strong.If Oprah is a christian, which mean she believes in CHRIST, what kind of thinking/believing do I need from her thikings that CHRIST didn't supply for me? When I call His name I get results. Think how you want but Oprah is in the media and you know they like proof, what proof is there in this new age thinking? You either are or not a Christian!

"All go to one place all are from dust, and all return to dust. Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth? So I perceive that nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his heritage. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him? There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king; Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind. A person should study the movement in the top of the mulbery tree, and when you see the movement in the top of the mulberry tree, what a day for truth to finally be revealed. Consider the things worth considering. Knowledge, personal information, great teachings and misguided quotes will run a course. But the "Movement" Will it not be a time of the crossing of the Jordan. Now! that's worth the consideration. Meditate on these things. Shalom, (peace)

this is total crap. i've watched oprah for years and i've never felt the need to denounce christianity. oprah states proudly she is a christian. what she and i and other christians do is 1) respect the right of others to be free to choose and practice their religion. it's a constitutional right, remember; and 2) note that there is a huge difference between religion and man made religious rules.

oprah's not confused. i'm not confused. the writer seems to want to stir confusion cause of some personal man made issues.

neale donald walsh is writing a new book called 'what god wants' and he wondered if maybe the problem was we have been given too much info. i posted yes, and that sadly included every religions' holy books because as divinely inspired as they were they still came through man's biases and experiences and were now being interpreted through our biases and experiences, and as such it has led to so much ugliness such as the article we are commenting on. if he really wanted to write a book on what god wants it wouldn't sell for much but it would look like this ...

page 1: to love yourself, and each other, unconditionally
page 2: to forgive yourself, and each other, unconditionally
page 3: regardless of religion
pages 4 through 299: blank
page 300: the end

this article is crap. i shall repeat. total crap.

I'm very concerned abouth this whole affair. My blessing is that I've been delivered from many things, and can see beyond the teachings of mere men. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I believe that He is the son of God. Therefore, I must give all reverence to Him, because I know Him to be the Truth, Life and the Way.
One can not state that he or she are true christians when we reduce the savior himself to a mere man. What defines christianity? One who believes that Jesus is the son of God; He died for our sins; He rose on the third day, so that we may have life and life more abundantly. I think to place yourself on the same level or remove ourselves from the doctrine of Christ sends a very mixed message.
Christians are to be christ-like. Define exactly what you think that you are because it really does not fit the christian faith that my family and I will continue to serve.
These are trully signs of the time: False doctrine is being taught! The saddest part is that the so-called Christ in you can not see where this is headed. God Bless you all

It seems that if you are a Christian then you can't see beyond your beliefs and fear those who don't think like you feel they should. There is no one way to believe if one considers themselves a Christian. And for those who don't know it...there are a lot of religions in this world....being a "Christian" is no better than being Jewish, Pagan, Hindu, Muslim, Catholic, Buddist, Atheist or any of hundreds of religions. Christianity is just another religion. If Oprah wants to give her version of Christianity...so what? Everyone else does.

God sent his only begotten son to earth in human form so that you and I can be forgiven for our sins. A simple prayer and he will welcome us with open arms one day in paradise. We all come short of the glory of God, but Jesus died on the cross and was resurected 3 days later. Jesus said no one come before my father except thru me. He will cleanse you body and soul. It is my prayer that whom ever does not know Jesus as their personal savior they pray asking God to come into their hearts asking for his forgivness you will be forgiven and he will have a place prepared for you in his kingdom of heaven. Oprah is not a christian people need only pick up their bibles and read Gods word for there is no truer truth. I guess Oprah feels all her money and media power makes her holy how sad that she and the millions of followers will one day face god on judgement day on bended knew and they will be cast into the fire of hell. What a shame.

I do not believe it is my place to Judge anyone else's choice of religions.
AND
I am offended when an entertainer preaches spirituality from the position earned through entertainment. Yes, Oprah is an Entertainer, talk-show host, great business woman - and does that qualify her as preacher? spiritual truth bearer? No more than Tom Cruise is qualified as spiritual leader!
People need to WAKE UP - being a specific religion does not quality a guy for just any old job out there - like running a country! Would you turn your body over to a surgeon because he was a "good Christian" and not pay attention to his medical qualifications? Not.
And being a successful talk-show host does not qualify a person as a spiritual leader! Oprah really oversteps her bounds too when she has psychologists on - and she speaks for or instead of them! I bet she does not hold any degree in psychology or social work either!

So, I've been getting progressively dissatisfied with Oprah - because I think she's let her success in a couple areas make her believe she knows everything about everything.

Oddly enough, I believe she was a plain Christian while she was becoming successful - and now she claims she had "the secret" all those years. Hmmm.

ophra is not a cristian?then what seck of believe she is going to ?what ever,i know that she know what she is doing ,where she is now is part of her life to live her life in this world,all of us was created for purpose iam sure ,if most of us still remaining in the same status just mean of they did not found yet the rite key of success,listen we are incharge to work for our needs not god will give it on our hand personally.all we need was already prepared from before we where born.god said prayer not existing is dead,meaning nothing will be deliver if we will not work hard for what we wanted to have,let say that our life is GOD,becouse GOD is in us we have life ,without GOD in us we are dead,JUST REMEMBER GOD IS EVERYTHING AND EVERYWHERE.He was crusifies in the cross for our freedom.what ever human being doing in this world is their own choise ,GOD SAID DONT JUDGE.make your part and so others do ,this is our life to complete the cycle not judging everyone.

Hi All,

First of all I am not posting to start a fight with anyone... for everyone is entitled to their opinion... so here is my opinion and I say it with a loving attitude for mankind... for Jesus loves EVERYONE of us and wishes that none of us perish and not make it to heaven.

First of all as pointed out on previous postings... Jesus in indeed the ONLY way to God to His Kingdom in heaven.

The bible has been proven over and over again for centuries to be true and proven. For those that do not believe it to be so... why is that? How come you can believe the history books given to us in school? We believe in Columbus, Einstein, etc... why can't you believe in the bible?

I will not force my faith on anyone, however, I would like to challenge you to pick up the bible with an open mind and read the messages God is telling us. There are also other books you can read from people who wrote these books in order to prove Christianity wrong and in the process of doing research their hearts changed and they belived... why is that? It's because all their research led to the truth in Christ. One book is "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel. You can also read a book called "so what's the difference" which compares all the big religions (Judism, Christianity, Catholicism, Muslims, Mormons....). Both these books have been a blessing and an eye opener.

I must admit I did take offense that "She advises that we "not make the pathetic error of clinging to the Old Rugged Cross." That is so horrible... the cross signifies the huge sacrifice Jesus made on our part in order to save us. The Cross signifies our Victory over sin and death thru Christ's death... The Cross is something so important and for her to devalue it... it's such an insult. However, though it hurts, it's her opinion and she will have to answer to God for it and for how it has or will lead astray.

Brothers & sisters... instead of fighting back with words... fight this battle on your knees and pray that God changes Oprah... He did it with Saul/Paul who was the biggest persecutor of Christians and then became one of His most important Apostle to the gentiles.

Father God... we ask you to bring your truth to so many through a change in Oprah. She has so many followers, that she can actually become a great diciple if it be in your will. I know you have control over everything... so I leave it in your mighty hands.

In Jesus' name.

Amen!

You are deceived if you think that the Bible has been proved over and over to be true throughout the centuries. There may be some historical fact to some of it, I will agree. Most linguists and many theologians agree that the current KJV of the Bible has lost as much as 40 - 60% of its original meaning in translation errors and "human political interference" alone. That in itself negates the whole Bible being true. The fact that people pick and choose which verses they believe are true and which ones they will follow makes the statements laughable at best. You will bash gays because of a couple verses in the Old Testament, but in those same chapters, you will ignore verses about not eating shrimp, or wearing mixed-fiber clothing, or that women should be silent in the Church...but we should all believe the Bible is real and factual? Sure, I guess when I can pick and choose which verses to follow and which to ignore, I would wanna be a Christian too. At least we know for a fact Christopher Columbus existed...AND even though he was relatively modern to our time and there was relatively good record keeping done in languages that are not dead...we are still finding out that a lot of what we believed about him was wrong. What does that say about the Bible, which is thousands of years removed from modern times, the majority of it was passed on for centuries in an oral tradition before being written down, it was translated through several languages and by people with alterior motives for gaining or holding onto power (King James and the Catholic Church), and a group of men got together and decided which books to use and which ones to exclude, based on if they liked them or not. Throw in what we know is factual from modern science and archeology and there is no way someone who has any amount of rational thinking ability could possibly believe that the current version of the Bible is literally the word of God.

Going back on topic...again, it is your beliefs against her beliefs, and if you have the right to talk about yours and try to get people to believe like you, so does she...though I doubt she is actually trying to do that. If you are secure it what you believe, it does not matter what other people think of you or what they believe themselves. Religious beliefs are not facts and there is no way to say that one is more or less true than the other. Heck, Christians cannot even agree on which version of Christianity is correct...so what does that tell you?

Guess somebody had to take God out of the Orthodox box...and as said above by amy, it's about time. And who to do it better than Oprah! If she only had a tiny following then no one would know that God had been released!

I have said several times from the pulpit and in private conversation that Oprah Winfrey is the single most dangerous woman in America, maybe in the entire world. The reason is as simple as what has been commented by many others. She is drawing many confused believers away from their faith in Jesus Christ, confirming countless non-believers in their sinful ways, and propagating the most anti-Christ message in the world today. She is, I believe, an unwitting servant of Satan himself. Along with Eckhart Tolle, Oprah is going to be responsible for millions of Americans rejecting "the way, the truth and the life," and going to hell in a handbasket. Nothing, I repeat, nothing is as dangerous as deceiving human beings about the only way to Heaven. It has always been, is now, and will always be Jesus Christ exclusively. It doesn't matter what Oprah and Eckhart have to say. Neither of them has voluntarily laid down their lives only to take them up again the third day. Until they do, they should pay strict attention to the only One who ever did!

With all things Oprah, the "hype" gets in the way of substance... she stands for what I might call "modified" Christian values...

For example, her show "The Big Give" was Christian in tone, but since there were "winners" and "losers" at every step of the game, it effectively turned into something else. Public recognition is not the reason a Christian participates in giving. So, while I do believe Oprah's motive for the show was about pure philanthropy, the contestants who stood to gain kudos for winning were being misled, to a degree.

Such is the case with many good things Oprah tries to do. The end result turns out different.

As for the Eckhart Tolle book... it provides a secular vocabulary for many Christian themes. I found this to be both stimulating and useful for speaking about spiritual matters to an unbeliever. However, Eckart's "Presence" is not quite the same as a loving God.

In terms of family values, Oprah talks from both sides of her mouth. She continually praises mothers for having the hardest job... she is unmarried, but presumably in a sexual relationship with Stedman Graham. Recently she said on her show with polygamist wives that she was having "an aha moment" where she realized she could accept polygamy as a "lifestyle choice," provided it involves no coercion or violence.

Ophrah is off on a tangent, and taking her audience along for the ride.
Eckhart Tolle is no minister, and his teachings far from Christian. New-Age deception is at work here and they will have to be accountable to God for those whom she & Tolle manage to sway to this Pied-Piper tune. So wake up people before it's too late, this guy sounds good & some of what he says comes from scripture but is in no way close to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Be not decieved, it's false teaching at its best. Sincerely, Stever

To many Oprah is a teacher and in the Bible it states that in the end teachers will be judged harshly for leading the Lord's sheep astray.

Wisconsin Christian News also had a write up called The Church of Oprah. www.wisconsinchristiannews.com/view_details.php?sis=1578.

Wow!! It is amazing that so many folks know everything they know about a religion, due to a book, AKA The Bible, that has, over 2000 years been totally rewritten, translated, interpreted, changed, has parts left out and parts put in,, which was written to push an agenda, (Christianity)and still think it is the "proven word of God." Who has provided such proof? When was it provided? It was inspired by God some say. Well, if an agenda, Christianity, is to be pushed on folks, then of course it has to be inspired by something.(someone?)

Oprah is dangerous? No, George W. Bush is dangerous, Dick Chaney is dangerous...as are many others. Oprah is a woman who came from nothing and has built a life and career for herself. She gives generously to many organizations, and if she wants to express her spirituality, so what? This country allows freedom of religion and speech. It even allows TV Evangelists to spout their rhetoric, much of it designed to keep themselves in luxury. So if Oprah is a person that says things you disagree with regarding your religion...turn her off! Am I a great big fan? I watch her once in awhile, but I take everything I hear, as I do all TV, with a grain of salt.

As to worrying about eternal life. Not a big part of my time.

You've got to be kidding, Sandy. Satan is using Oprah? And you know this how? If Satan, the scary thing Christians have made up to instill obedience, was/is using Oprah, then he is very generous...she has used her money and influence for good, and if that is what "Satan" does, he can use more like her. She is by no means perfect, because there is no such thing as a perfect person. Imperfection is part of being human.

The important thing about Oprah, is that she is all about dialogue. She talks about issues that are in the hearts and minds of the general population.She is always prosetelizing about one thing or another. Much of it is unpleasant and not easy to digest. She has repeatedly said she is a christian and yet is living or dating a man outside of marriage. This is not right. This just goes to show that she is human and has not attained any sort of divine status like many in religious orders. They are the ones to emulate. At the very least she is talking about this issues and making people think, As the Bible says, take the wood out of your own eye before condemning another. She is not a prophet and won't be one. She is a talk-show host focused on bringing out the best in people. I commend her for that and recommend that people take her with a grain of salt. She isn't the best role model, but who is? As regards freedom of speech, she runs with it and thankfully can afford to do so. I think she is an outstanding american citizen, not a member of a religious order, and certainly not Satan!

I think Oprah is the New Age Reverend and she demonstrastes that in her every day life and is a prime leader in society. I also think that she should run for president of the United States some day and that she would make a good woman president. Oprah your one of a kind and I am for you always and forever you go girl.................

Oprah Winfrey is on a spiritual/natural journey as all of us are. She
just so happens to be making the very most of this journey in which she
has influenced the rest of us in one way or another. Her popularity, in my opinion, is a direct result of her being a GIVER therefore, she RECIEVES. This is a universal law...like what goes around, comes around. We can all improve in some area of life and maybe, just maybe (with God's help) we will become whatever we need to become for his name's sake. We have a choice. This is the real Love. Selah.

Barb Little, when did you hear Oprah say she was taking presidence over your God? If in deed that god exists, I expect She/He would have no problem with Oprah. She/He probably admires a woman who was molested as a child, poor and has worked her way up in this world to the place she is now. She is generous to others with her money. If being generous and having an opinion that doesn't agree with yours is a sin...I'd say...so what?

I applaud Oprah for introducing people to a more global and accessible spirituality. A spirituality that invites us to take a closer look at ourself and shift our perceptions about self, others, and the world is desperately needed today. Do we really need to follow dogma blindly? What about when it causes suffering, differences and war? What about when dogma puts certain groups as second class citizens and justifies violence? Thank you Oprah for expanding our consciousness, giving us choices, and encouraging us practice free will.

YEAH Ingrid!!! I couldn't have said it any better!!!

It must be hard to be so perfect and smug to the point where you can determine who is a "Christian" or not. I am constantly amazed to see the holier than thou attitude exhibited by the so-called saints who have annointed themselves to be the God Police. This is nothing new and will probably always exist, maybe to the benefit of those of us who are believers and who make an all out effort to LIVE AND DEMONSTRATE by our works and not our mouths and attitudes. They inspire us to not fall blindly into the pit of armchair "Christianity" or any other "anity" or "ism",for that matter.
Some of us really believe in the works of Jesus and do not try to reinterpret it to the narrow and bigoted perceptions being represented as "The Truth". While I may not agree with everything that Oprah espouses, even in her humaness, she outrepresents the average man or woman who seeks to match the works of Jesus and other spiritual avitars at a level that most would surely be happy to even think that they could. I feel some haters in the midst of these conversations.
I am so tired of murder(war, medical, nutritional, and psychological),mayham, theft(stock market, runaway inflation,obscene profits, mortgage stickups, and other ponzi schemes that drain the human spirit from being able to or want to come from under the hypnotism and mindless mantras of world wide religions which lead people to not question what they hear and see so that they accept all things that use the name of God as being true and good. I hope that Beliefnet does not become another mouthpiece for just so called "Christians" and that the views of other philosophies (which each have their own pockets of extremety), come together to foster a place of balance that presents the opportunity to agree on some of the good that all branches of theological inquiry have embraced. These branches are supposed to provide a roadmap or a light so to speak, for each man and woman to follow by making choices made within one's own heart as oppossed to reacting to and complying with dogma mandated by those who choose to manipulate and control through religious propaganda found in all cultures.
whatever Oprah decides to do or however she chooses to represent herself, she can't do any worse than those lofty and worthy men and women who consider themselves to be conduits of God. I can't imagine what on earth could possess these self-filled deities to spend their time dicussing Oprah, her works, and her beliefs, instead of helping their congregants and each other find answers and relief to the challenges they are facing in their everyday lives. Can you spell MORTGAGE RELIEF, GAS RELIEF, GROCERY RELIEF, MEDICAL RELIEF,EMPLOYMENT RELIEF, EDUCATIONAL RELIEF,etc.,etc.,etc? Did Oprah cause any of this?
I'm beginning to believe that these people are BITTER, are CLINGING to their religion, and that they are ARMED for bear.

Hi all,

Thanks for your recent posts on Beliefnet's Idol Chatter. Your opinions are certainly valid and definitely are welcome and invited on Beliefnet.

The most important choice any of us ever make is where we place our faith and how our faith affects our life and how we treat others. I'm glad you're on the journey with us!

A brief word to Ingrid and Kadi, your opinions and feelings are valid, too. And so are mine!

If you read my post carefully, you'll see that the only position I took on this matter is this:

"Ms. Winfrey is either a prophetess of a new spiritual awakening or a powerful force against traditional Christian teaching. I'm not sure there's a middle ground here."

I believe that view carries intellectual integrity. You can love her or not watch her. You can affirm her teachings or believe something different. But from my studies I believe her teachings are inconsistent with the whole of Biblical Christianity, and I would not choose for her to speak for my faith any more than you'd choose me to speak for yours. I hope that makes some sense, and I love that Beliefnet provides a wonderful forum and that many have obviously taken advantage of it regarding this story.

Hi Don,

I wrote what I felt because I am tired of Christians constantly badgering others instead of being a light that Christ spoke about. When Christ was being arrested he reprimanded Peter for drawing the sword and slicing off the soldier's ear. This is not what He wanted nor what He taught. I get very angry when I see Christians quickly to judge, throw versus and degrade people instead of loving them and accepting them for who they are. If we love and respect then in return His love will shine through and people will want what you have. In regards to Oprah, all she wants is to show the love of Christ and sad to say and as one read some of the comments from the Christians who've responded to your article...is it love? Christians read these versus before casting another post.

Galatians 5 says it best:
Amplified Bible:
13For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for [d]selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.

14For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is [e]complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.(A)

15But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.

16But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).

17For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.

18But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.

19Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,

20Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),

21Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

23Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [[f]that can bring a charge].

24And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.

25If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit [g]we have our life in God, let us go forward [h]walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]

26Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.

Oprah doesn't want to be prophetess, guru or spiritual leader. New Agers and those who are going into spiritual awakening are tired of the vainglorious, self-conceited/centered, competitive/challenging and provoking, envious Christians! And this is what Paul himself said we should not BECOME! There are too many of these walking on this earth. I don't want to be a part of that group.

I don't know why so many fall into the trap of opinion. If you know your background religion and your faith which carries you daily through all your trials than why would you even question how and or why another human could influence you into diverting from what you believe to be true. It is within each and everyone of us. All right and wrong decisions are within you. Your "feel" it in your inter being when you are doing right or wrong. don't fall into the trap of blaming others for what you know is within you to decide.

tHE whole problem here lies in the human mind,Everyone thinks he is right and everyone else is wrong,When you finally "get it" that there is no belief true,you realise you are alone,peaceful,and full of love,the christians speak of love,but i wonder do they feel it?can they really feel the presence of living love?or is it as i suspect just words,the reason i suspect this is because of the unbeliveable negative and violent reactions towards oter faiths and messages,if you are trully happy then words are just words,Eckharts message is one of love,like Jesus's message,would jesus have hated Eckhart tolle?ha ha,its almost too funny to concieve of,Then we come to the question of Oprah,what harm is she doing?ill tell you,she is putting herself in big danger because she is in a mad bible bashing society that knows only how to assassinate those with a positive message,Like martin luther king,john f kennedy,a society that talks of peace but attacks in a flash,Jesus said turn the other cheek,Like america did with iraq???

Gibran Khalil Gibran and now Ekhart Tolle and Oprah all these new age gurus are free to think what they want,but that is not the truth and opposite to christianity.Millions of people were attracted to Gibran who was a pioneer of new age in his book jesus son of man divested Jesus of His divine nature and miraculous attributes presenting Him as a sententious sage,a guru.The message of the cross is nonsense to those who are being destroyed,but it is God power to us who are being saved.The power of now of Ekhart Tolle is not the real one.The power is the cross and now is the word that the church emphasizes on it:The Holy past is present now with power.Let Oprah if she dare,to speak on tv about the power of the cross the true miracle of the blood on that good friday in Jerusalem in 1994 in the book the coin of the temple by souheil bayoud.There you will find who is the false guru and who is the real Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior,the Son of God. dayofwrath