Have you seen this youtube video? There are several to pick and choose from but this is a good one that gives a good overview of Oprah's beliefs: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pslo04hB1Rk&NR=1

What struck me? Well, the other day I was in Barnes and Noble and picked up the Tolle book. I am not one to jump on the bandwagon of fear as I've seen running through the Christian community. I skimmed through much of the book. Many of the teachings are similar to Christianity. BUT, and I emphasize BUT, one thing is incredibly important to take notice of. Tolle (and Oprah) equate Jesus with spiritual leaders of other religions. However, they never address the fact that Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the father but through me." He is not equal. He is above other spiritual teachers. He is NOT just a spiritual teacher. He is God in human form.

The other interesting thing I picked up on this Oprah clip and she spoke about her religious experiences is that it seemed very self-centered. For instance, Oprah says, "you had to be at church at 8 o'clock if you wanted a seat." And she says that with a bit of attitude like she really resented that. I bet people in her audience have to be at her studios at a certain time to get their seats. Also, she said, "No one is telling you how you should behave in the church or outside of it. You, in your own heart, decide that." Which to me smacked of not wanting to be told what she should or should not do. Could all this 'deep' spiritual searching (which is a very clever lie excusing those of us who do believe there is ONE way into seeming shallow) be simply an excuse to excuse behavior that does not line up with the bible's teachings?

One more thing Oprah talks about is that God is a jealous God and how that threw her onto this spiritual journey. She believes God is love. As do I. But she can't see God as a jealous god. Now, I admit, looking at that statement in an earthly way does seem odd. But, God is jealous. Of our time. Our attention. Our love. What are we devoting time to? Serving ourselves? Serving a false god? Interesting in that is what Elvis Takes a Back Seat is about, taking our idols off the pedestals and worshipping God.

Going back to the self-centeredness I detected in this youtube video. It seems to me that in worshipping one true God, not one's self or heart or consciousness or whatever they call it, requires one to turn over desires and will and align those things with God's desire and will. And frankly, most people just don't want to do that. It's a struggle for me! And it turns many people away from Jesus. Remember the story of the Rich Young Ruler. Giving away all his worldly goods wasn't the point. The point was that the rich young ruler worshipped those things.

Please don't get me wrong. I think Oprah does a lot of good. In many ways, she is unselfish in that she gives much of her earnings away. But let's not follow her down a steep and rocky path either.

What are your thoughts?