A Baptist website says that an e-mail going around that warns Christians of the dangers of paying attention to Oprah’s harmful new age doctrine through her promotion of “A Course in Miracles” is accurate. New Age guru Marianne Williamson wrote the book A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, which is now being widely popularized by Oprah with visits by Williamson on her show and radio program. Author James A. Smith Sr. calls Oprah a “pied piper of heresies” and says “It’s time for Christians to just say no to the big O” or they’re going to hell.
In America’s celebrity-driven culture, perhaps the most harmful “Pied Piper” of heresies leading millions astray is Oprah Winfrey. Her adoption of anti-biblical doctrine is on display every day this year through her satellite radio network channel “Oprah & Friends.” It’s time for Christians to “just say no” to the big “O.”…
Although New Agers rely upon many sources, ACIM is among the most popular. New Age guru Marianne Williamson is responsible for popularizing the work through her book, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles, while Oprah is to be credited with launching Williamson’s career through her appearances on Winfrey’s talk show.
And now, Williamson is one of the featured stars on the “Oprah & Friends” channel on XM Satellite Radio, reprising her role as advocate of ACIM through a year-long series on the course…
Contrary to the Bible’s clear teaching that our guilt is the result of the fact that we truly are sinners, separated from God by our sin, and rightfully under God’s judgment for our sin, ACIM teaches that we must realize “all guilt is solely an invention of your mind” and in this realization is salvation.
Warren Smith has helpfully summarized some of the other false doctrine of the course in the previously referenced article:
“There is no sin.” “Do not make the pathetic error of ‘clinging to the old rugged cross.'” “The name of Jesus Christ as such is but a symbol…. It is a symbol that is safely used as a replacement for the many names of all the gods to which you pray.” “God is in everything I see.” [The Apostle] Peter’s warnings [against false teachers] are clearly applicable to Oprah, Williamson and A Course in Miracles for undermining the faith with a false gospel and counterfeit “Jesus,” which in the end bring no actual spiritual nourishment or relief. Tragically, these teachers are leading people straight to Hell.
Christians should flee from Oprah and her cohorts and recommitment [sic] themselves to careful Bible study, in the context of a local body of believers with whom they have covenanted for mutual edification and accountability led by a faithful pastor. Of course, this isn’t as glamorous as Oprah—but neither is eternal punishment in Hell.
[From FloridaBaptistWitness.com via National Enquirer, print edition, April 6, 2008]
This same Baptist author is against including gays in Baptist events, opposes stem cell research, and wants creationism to be taught in school, so it’s not like I would normally agree with any of his viewpoints, but anyone that calls out Oprah deserves some kind of recognition. Maybe if more Christians unite against Oprah she’ll be forced into retirement, relying on her hokey new age belief system to somehow get through the day without constant adulation from the middle class female masses.
I like Oprah enough but I tell you I have never heard her speak of Jesus or salvation, not once! So she isn’t saved? Doesn’t seem like it. So we should pray she gets saved, born again, become a Christian. Christians are not ashame to speak the name of Jesus Christ. Evil people will never speak that name and can’t stand to hear it.
Who in their right minds would allow their beliefs to be guided by the likes of Oprah, Williamson or James A Smith? Tedious. I think I’d prefer eternal damnation.
Oh brother! With all of the things going on in the world today, this is what they focus their attention on?! You know what I would love for them to also focus their attention on? How about we look at how much money THEY ask for and let’s look at their tax records to see how many assets they have. The last time that I checked, greed is a sin. If they are against being worldly, why don’t they practice what they preach? I doubt they will do that, they like driving their fancy cars, living in their fancy homes, wearing fancy clothes, etc. Oprah is human just like the rest of us. I’d like to see these self-inflated boobs (Baptists) take her lead and start giving back ALL of that money that they have no guilt in taking, to the poor and needy of this country.
As far as I am concerned, they do not like anyone capable of thinking freely for themselves. It is no wonder why they focus discrimination towards anyone that does not give in to their demands. They act more like an occult if you ask me.
So THIS guy is what you described, and ALL Baptists are as you describe?
Who’s being discriminatory here?
Perhaps if you ‘freely thought for yourself’ you would realize that lumping all people into a group label because of a few bad eggs is closed minded, and not assessing the value of each individual.
Do you worship the Almighty Oprah by any chance??
wow! so Oprah is the anti-Christ??
K – you are obviously responding to the title, and not what I actually wrote, which didn’t lump all baptists together nor did it have any kind words for Oprah. I understand that Jimmy Carter is trying to unite Baptists to be more inclusive and that not all Baptists are alike. I have changed the title to reflect the story, but no where in the article did I say it was all Baptists, that was just the title. (I was going to say “Baptist minister,” but I could not confirm that he was a minister, which is why I made it plural, which as you point out is inaccurate.)
The Jesus I know accepted people for who they were. He selflessly preached love and acceptance and led through example.
I love what Oprah is doing… helping people to open their minds and think for themselves. Encouraging them to question what they are being taught and not to be led blindly by fear. She doesn’t expect people to believe everything that is being promoted on her show… she simply wants people to become more involved in their own destiny…both physical and spiritual.
But the term “New Age belief system” can be generalized as “hokey”, right? I’m just trying to be clear on what’s ok to lump together and what’s not.
Thanks for correcting my spelling of hokey, GirlyGirl, I appreciate it.
that is the most stupid thing that i ever heard of. opah is not god. and oprah doesn’t have a heaven or hell to send anybody to.
How about Baptists worry about helping the poor?
Although I gotta say, I can’t stand Oprah myself, so I’m in the weird position of disliking both sides here, LOL.
Dollars to donuts Oprah is stealth CO$.
How is being a Baptist somehow more rational than being into New Age crap?
How can one superstitious belief system be “better” or “worse” than another?
It’s all fantasy based and the insecurity and fear behind this fact is what drives the intolerance (and violence) behind religion/cultism. If you’re secure in your belief, you don’t require others to agree with you, or brand them “evil” if they don’t. Simple as that.
As a Christian myself, I get what he’s saying about the book. If those key points are what it’s teaching, then based on Christian beliefs, they are wrong. And very dangerous.
And if Oprah is going to promote that, then I think it’s responsible of a man who leads a group of ppl to bring it to their attentions (for their consideration). Especially when we are so celebrity/pop culture driven and it gets so much attention.
Damn that man is hypocritical. Warning of “false teachers” but as far as I know he’s no more qualified than Oprah to be “teaching”.
Trillion got it right. If you’re secure in your belief than there’s no need to MAKE everyone else follow the same path as you.
And what’s everyone got against Oprah? It seems those people don’t actually WATCH her show. She’s always saying “Now I’m not saying this is right or wrong, I’m just saying ____”.
She has extremely informative, helpful topics. Teaching Self-defense, organization tips, get out of debt plans, drug warnings, doctors on body health, ect.
I think people are always turning on someone/thing once it’s too popular or powerful.
I’m not saying Oprah is my bible or anything, I only catch her show maybe once or twice a month. I don’t necessarily like everything about her either.
But damn, she does a lot of good for the world too. People are so skeptic to believe she’s doing it for the right reason. Well i dont know her personally, but at least she’s doing it!
The baptist god sounds scary, anyway. I don’t really want to spend my life worshiping and trying to please a god who thinks I’m a lowly sinner(and WANTS me to feel guilty for that) and judges everything I do, eagerly waiting to send me straight to hell the first chance he gets.
I like the versions of god that describe him/her as a kind, fatherly/motherly figure that wants you to succeed and return to heaven so he/she can hold you in his/her arms again. That sounds MUCH better to me.
How does anyone really know which, if any, church is right? Have you PERSONALLY seen god? I haven’t, so I don’t know. What I hate is that EVERY religion believes that they are the ONLY true religion, so which one is right?
I think they ALL need to just accept that others have other beliefs and if they’re going to hell, they’re going to hell. YOU just worry about YOU, not everyone else.
I don’t think they should tell their followers not to associate with certain people or things. If a person is strong in their faith/beliefs, then they don’t need some preacher yelling at them and threatening that they’ll go to hell for reading a book that shows someone else’s views.
People should know about every point of view, so that they can get a firm understanding of their own belief system. That’s my opinion, anyway. Sorry for the novel.
Why is Oprah’s belief system hokey? All that is says in the article is that she’s a promoting a book about letting go of guilt. That sounds pretty healthy and not insane or stupid. Mind you, I’m not a Christian of any sort so I don’t understand the whole…guilt being important thing. But I just think it’s silly to call the new age belief system hokey.
It comes down to the fact that people get jealous or resentful of Oprah’s success. She’s done a LOT of good things in the world and for other people. Isn’t that what true religion is about, to help others?
And the condemners especially hate her for urging people to THINK FOR THEMSELVES, which to the authoritarian mindset is the worst thing ever. Because when people think for themselves and determine their own happiness and success, they can’t be manipulated by guilt and hellfire.
My own preference, but I’d rather that people think for themselves instead of be cowed by institutions.
I hate self-absorbed “my religion is the only real religion” religious zealots. I mean…it’s so assinine to think that there’s only one way to accept God. Oprah has done more to unite the human race than divide it which is more than I can say about organized religion.
You know what I think is hokey? DOGMA. What a bunch of crap.
In my humble opinion, the method of connecting to the Divine is unimportant. It’s making the connection at all that matters, and by making that connection to the Divine you realize that every living thing is connected by it. You can call it Bob or Diane, or God, or whatever. It doesn’t matter what number you dial, they all call the same place. All the other stuff (dogma) is made from human ego.
I applaud Oprah for initiating open-mindedness and new ways of thinking and bringing people together. She does do a lot of good. Some people are just so blinded by their dogma that they can’t (or won’t) see that part.
I go even further than GirlyGirl on this: I don’t believe in fairy-tales.
Regardless if it’s Christian Mythology or New Age dogma; it all boils down to wishful thinking unfit to be printed. I can’t believe that, in this day and age, we are still stuck into these sterile debates about imaginary places. We have science to disprove almost anything that junk tell us and we still waste time on these issues. It looks like a pathetic fight between to kid about who’s got the imaginary friend with the biggest ****.
So, yes, it’s a waste of time to had this published here.
Harlem chic- What a nice point. Oprah does do more to unite us than anything else, and isn’t that the point? The message?
Well, to be honest, Oprah does not truly hold Christian viewpoints. She calls herself one but really she is not. I think the problem is that she continues to characterize herself falsely. Just say that you’re “spiritual” and believe xyz. Don’t call yourself a Christian. It is confusing to many people and probably is leading some people who don’t know astray. I love Oprah and respect her but as a Christian, I know that many of her viewpoints are her own and do not line up with my faith AND that’s OK. She has to live her life and answer for her life like we all have to.
Oh wow. An entire segment of comments dedicated to playground arguments.
“My religion (or lack thereof) is better that yours!”
“Uh uh. Mine is better and yours is stupid.”
“Nu uh, yours is stupid.”
“Is not.”
“Is so.”
Etc.
Hardly any of you had anything respectful to say about anyone else’s faith. How nice and what a wonderful testament to whatever creed some of you adhere to. Nothing like belittling someone to bring them to your side.
BTW, Oprah’s belief system is hokey because it is inconsistant and driven by Oprah’s never ending consumerism. She believes in whatever keeps people in those seats, buying her magazine and whatever products she is hawking for the week. I mean that’s who she is and that’s how she makes her money so I’m not knocking her for it so much as shaking my head at all the soccer moms out there who take everything Oprah says and does at face value.
Celebitchy, You rock!! It is truly rare that someone has the nerve to publicly declare that they don’t worship the ground Oprah walks on. We are a country of fools who blindly worship celebrities, and Oprah is the queen bee. Don’t get me wrong, much of what Oprah does is admirable and inspiring; however, the other half of what she does is to self-proclaim her brand of “spirituality” as the path of righteousness and freedom for us all….hooey! We can all worship our own Gods, whomever they may be. We don’t have to follow a year long course of “miracles” lead by the kooky Marianne Williamson to be led to salvation. Oprah should stick to interviewing celebrities and leave religion and spirituality to those better versed on the subject.
Oprah’s not god. But at least she’s real.
Toni Morrison one year, Dr. Phil the next, Marianne Williamson the year after that. I mean, this just proves the old adage that “people who believe in nothing will believe in anything”. I don’t have a problem with Oprah per se, it’s more about all the sheep who follow her.
Oprah is teaching damnedable heiresy.
And I pray that GOD would save her or shut her mouth! Oh what a price that’ll be paid for drawing so many from the truth.
If you are only a good person because some book tells you to be, or because you have been threatened with hell, then you are not really a good person at all.
Many religious types wouldn’t have a clue what true altruism is, because they only behave well to get something for themselves.
If you are good and kind and fair to others simply because you know that behaviour to be absolutely right and just, and you didn’t need to bullied or threatened to do it, then you are a TRULY good person.
And you aren’t likely to be a religious nut.
And “God” probably likes you better. 😉
Hello, all. I don’t watch Oprah, but discovered A Course in Miracles after studying religions and spiritual philosophies for nearly 40 years. Very little has measured up to my standards of proof… But I’ve come to firmly believe that the Course is actually Jesus speaking to us again, and now have a much more…living,joyful, meaningful relationship with him and God than I ever did during my exploration of fearful religion as a teen. It’s a given that condemnation without investigation is the height of arrogance; as is the verity that no evidence whatsoever can possibly convince us of the truth of something we adamantly do-not-want. I can no more ‘prove’ to another what I now believe, any more than the Apostle Peter could have, following his acknowledgment of Jesus as Messiah, when Jesus told him that ‘flesh and blood had not revealed it to him, but his Father in heaven.’ Within Christianity’s first few decades, Jesus had been divinized, his teachings distorted, and factions were already infighting; angrily accusing each other of apostasy. From its very beginnings, the religion of Christianity has never been some unified, monolithic entity.
Even in the canonical gospel of Luke, Jesus told his disciples that he felt they couldn’t ‘bear’ hearing more at that time. The time has come, and Jesus is lovingly reaching out to us once again. Two centuries of modern New Testament scholarship consistently uncovers a Jesus strikingly similar to Jesus in the Course…but then,truth is always consistent. Truth needs no defense. It merely awaits our welcome. Every moment that we squander pointing fingers at one another is merely another moment we spend holding a sword at our own throats. God’s love patiently and knowingly awaits our willingness, and He does not ‘lose’ His children, being neither cruel nor insane nor impotent… Our temporary insanity and ‘limited, false identities’ having been our own mistaken choice. His children are who we forever unalterably are, all our dogged, intricate illusions to the contrary, and we so need to remember that in all our dealings with one another… Handle g-e-n-t-l-y!