Oprah and Friends

[Mimi]

 "Oprah and Friends" to teach course on New Age Christ

By Warren Smith

November 2007

See also The twisted "truths" of The Shack & A Course in Miracles

and From God's Truth to the "New Spirituality" and New Spirituality for an Emerging New Earth
 
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See note below concerning a widely distributed email
 


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Oprah Winfrey will be letting out all the stops on her XM Satellite Radio program this coming year. Beginning January 1, 2008, “Oprah & Friends” will offer a year-long course on the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles.1 A lesson a day throughout the year will completely cover the 365 lessons from the Course in Miracles “Workbook.”

For example, Lesson #29 asks you to go through your day affirming that “God is in everything I see.”2 Lesson #61 tells each person to repeat the affirmation “I am the light of the world.”3 Lesson #70 teaches the student to say and believe “My salvation comes from me.”4

By the end of the year, “Oprah & Friends” listeners will have completed all of the lessons laid out in the Course in Miracles Workbook. Those who finish the Course will have a wholly redefined spiritual mindset—a New Age worldview that includes the belief that there is no sin, no evil, no devil, and that God is “in” everyone and everything. A Course in Miracles teaches its students to rethink everything they believe about God and life. The Course Workbook bluntly states: “This is a course in mind training”5 and is dedicated to “thought reversal.”6

Teaching A Course in Miracles will be Oprah’s longtime friend and special XM Satellite Radio reporter Marianne Williamson—who also happens to be one of today’s premier New Age leaders. She and Conversations with God author Neale Donald Walsch co-founded the American Renaissance Alliance in 1997, that later became the Global Renaissance Alliance of New Age leaders, that changed its name again in 2005 to the Peace Alliance. This Peace Alliance seeks to usher in an era of global peace founded on the principles of a New Age/New Spirituality that they are now referring to as a “civil rights movement for the soul.”7 They all agree that the principles of this New Age/New Spirituality are clearly articulated in A Course in Miracles—which is fast becoming the New Age Bible. So what is A Course in Miracles and what does it teach?

A Course in Miracles is allegedly “new revelation” from “Jesus” to help humanity work through these troubled times. This “Jesus”—who bears no doctrinal resemblance to the Bible’s Jesus Christ—began delivering his channeled teachings in 1965 to a Columbia University Professor of Medical Psychology by the name of Helen Schucman.

One day Schucman heard an “inner voice” stating, “This is a course in miracles. Please take notes.”8 For seven years she diligently took spiritual dictation from this inner voice that described himself as “Jesus.” A Course in Miracles was quietly published in 1975 by the Foundation for Inner Peace. For many years “the Course” was an underground cult classic for New Age seekers who studied “the Course” individually, with friends, or in small study groups.

As a former New Age follower and devoted student of A Course in Miracles, I eventually discovered that the Course in Miracles was—in reality—the truth of the Bible turned upside down. Not having a true understanding of the Bible at the time of my involvement, I was led to believe that A Course in Miracles was “a gift from God” to help everyone understand the “real” meaning of the Bible and to help bring peace to the world. Little did I know that the New Age “Christ” and the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles were everything the real Jesus Christ warned us to watch out for. In Matthew 24 Jesus warned about false teachers, false teachings and the false “Christs” who would pretend to be He.

When I left the New Age “Christ” to follow the Bible’s Jesus Christ, I had come to understand that the “Jesus” of A Course in Miracles was a false “Christ,” and that his Course in Miracles was dangerously deceptive. Here are some quotes from the “Jesus” of A Course in Miracles:

“There is no sin. . . " 9  [See note]
 A “slain Christ has no meaning.”10
“The journey to the cross should be the last ‘useless journey.”11
“Do not make the pathetic error of ‘clinging to the old rugged cross.’”12
“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.”13
“God is in everything I see.”14
“The recognition of God is the recognition of yourself.”15
“The oneness of the Creator and the creation is your wholeness, your sanity and your limitless power.”16
“The Atonement is the final lesson he [man] need learn, for it teaches him that, never having sinned, he has no need of salvation.”17
Most Christians recognize that these teachings are the opposite of what the Bible teaches. In the Bible, Jesus Christ’s atoning death on the cross of Calvary was hardly a “useless journey.” His triumph on the cross provides salvation to all those who confess their sin, accept Him and follow Him as their Lord and Saviour. His victory on the cross rings throughout the New Testament. It has been gloriously sung about in beloved hymns through the ages and is at the heart of our Christian testimony.

I found the Jesus of the Bible to be wholly believable as He taught God’s truth and warned about the spiritual deception that would come in His name. The “Jesus” of A Course in Miracles reveals himself to be an imposter when he blasphemes the true Jesus Christ by saying that a “slain Christ has no meaning” and that we are all “God” and that we are all “Christ.” It was by reading the Bible’s true teachings of Jesus Christ that I came to understand how deceived I had been by A Course in Miracles and my other New Age teachings.

I was introduced to A Course in Miracles by Dr. Gerald Jampolsky’s book Love is Letting Go of Fear. Jampolsky declared in his easy-to-read book how the teachings of A Course in Miracles had changed his life. As an ambassador for A Course in Miracles over the years, Jampolsky has been featured not only in New Age circles but at least twice on Robert Schuller’s Hour of Power. While Schuller introduced Jampolsky and his “fabulous”18 Course in Miracles-based books to his worldwide television audience, it was Marianne Williamson’s appearance on a 1992 Oprah Winfrey Show that really shook the rafters.

On that program, Oprah enthusiastically endorsed Williamson’s book, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles. Oprah told her television audience that Williamson’s book about A Course in Miracles was one of her favorite books, and that she had already bought a thousand copies and would be handing them out to everyone in her studio audience. Oprah’s endorsement skyrocketed Williamson’s book about A Course in Miracles to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. Ironically, all of this was happening after I had left the Course and the New Age. In fact, I was doing the final editing on my book The Light That Was Dark that warned about the dangers of the New Age—and in particular A Course in Miracles.

After being introduced to the world on Oprah, Marianne Williamson has continued to grow in popularity and, as previously mentioned, has become one of today’s foremost New Age leaders. Williamson credits Winfrey for bringing her book about A Course in Miracles before the world: “For that, my deepest thanks to Oprah Winfrey. Her enthusiasm and generosity have given the book, and me, an audience we would never otherwise have had.”19 In her 2004 book, The Gift of Change, Williamson wrote:

“Twenty years ago, I saw the guidance of the Course as key to changing one’s personal life; today, I see its guidance as key to changing the world. More than anything else, I see how deeply the two are connected.”20

Thus the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles are about to be taught by Marianne Williamson to millions of listeners on Oprah’s XM Satellite Radio program. Listeners are encouraged to buy A Course in Miracles for the year-long course. An audio version of A Course in Miracles recited by Richard (John Boy Walton) Thomas is also available on compact disc.

Popular author Wayne Dyer told his PBS television audience that the “brilliant writing” of A Course in Miracles would produce more peace in the world.21 Williamson’s New Age colleague, Neale Donald Walsch, said his “God” stated that “the era of the Single Saviour is over”22 and that he (“God”) was responsible for authoring the teachings of A Course in Miracles.23

Meanwhile, Gerald Jampolsky’s Course in Miracles-based book, Forgiveness, continues to be sold in Robert Schuller’s Crystal Cathedral bookstore as Schuller prepares to host a January 17-19, 2008, “Rethink Conference” at his Crystal Cathedral.24

At this critical time in the history of the world, the New Gospel/New Spirituality is coming right at the world and the church with its New Age teachings and its New Age Peace Plan. But this New Age Peace Plan has at its deceptive core the bottom-line teaching from A Course in Miracles that “we are all one” because God is “in” everyone and everything. But the Bible is clear that we are not God (Ezekiel 28:2; Hosea 11:9). And per Galatians 3:26-28, our only oneness is in Jesus Christ—not in ourselves as “God” and “Christ.” What Oprah and Marianne Williamson and the world will learn one day is that humanity’s only real and lasting peace is with the true Jesus Christ who is described and quoted in the Holy Bible (Romans 5:1).

Oprah Winfrey’s misplaced faith in Marianne Williamson and the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles is a sure sign of the times. But an even surer sign of the times is that most Christians are not taking heed to what is happening in the world and in the church. We are not contending for the faith as the Bible admonishes us to do (Jude 3).

It is time for all of our Purpose-Driven and Emerging church pastors to address the real issue of the day. Our true Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is being reinvented, redefined, and blasphemed right in front of our eyes and hardly anyone seems to notice or care. If we want the world to know who Jesus Christ is, we need to also warn them about who He is not. There is a false New Age “Christ” making huge inroads into the world and into the church. The Apostle Paul said that “it is a shame” we have to even talk about these things, but talk about them we must (Ephesians 5:12-16).

If people want to follow Oprah Winfrey and the New Age “Christ” of A Course in Miracles they certainly have that right. But let them be warned that the New Age “Christ” they are following is not the same Jesus Christ who is so clearly and authoritatively presented in the pages of the Bible.

Note from Andy and Berit: Many of you are here because of a letter that is circulating on the Internet with a link to this article. We thank you for coming to our website and hope it will encourage you. But we also want you to know that we didn't write the letter.

 

  For more information on this topic, we recommend that you also read:

Deceived by a counterfeit "Jesus" -- The Twisted Truths of The Shack & A Course in Miracles

From God's Truth to the 'New Spirituality' and New Spirituality for an Emerging New Earth

The Armor of God & The Nature and Tactics of Satan

 
 

Warren Smith is a former New Age follower who at one time was deeply involved in the New Age teachings of A Course in Miracles. He is the author of these insightful books:

Deceived on Purpose: http://www.bookmasters.com/marktplc/01743purpose.htm

The Light that was Dark: http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/01743light.htm

Reinventing Jesus Christ (2nd edition which is posted online): http://www.reinventingjesuschrist.com


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Endnotes:
1. http://marianne.com/book/index/htm. It seeems to be broken, so try http://marianne.com instead.

2. A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume (Glen Ellen, California: Foundation for Inner Peace, 1975), (Workbook), p. 45.
3. Ibid., p. 102.
4. Ibid., p. 119.
5. Ibid., (Text), p. 16.
6. Ibid., (Preface), p. ix.
7. Neale Donald Walsch, Tomorrow’s God: Our Greatest Spiritual Challenge (New York: Atria Books, Simon & Schuster, 2004), pp. 262-263.
8. Robert Skutch, Journey Without Distance: The Story behind “A Course in Miracles” (Berkeley, California: Celestial Arts, 1984), p. 54.
9. A Course in Miracles: Combined Volume, (Workbook), p. 183.
10. Ibid., (Text), p. 425.
11. Ibid., p. 52.
12. Ibid.
13. Ibid., (Teachers Manual), p. 58.
14. Ibid., (Workbook), p. 45.
15. Ibid., (Text), p. 147.
16. Ibid., p. 125.
17. Ibid., p. 237.
18. http://www.hourofpower.org/interviews/interviews_detail.cfm?ArticleID=3079
19. Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles A Course in Miracles (New York: Harper Perennial, 1996), p. ix.
20. Marianne Williamson, The Gift Of Change: Spiritual Guidance for a Radically New Life (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2004), p. 5.
21. Wayne Dyer, “There’s a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem,” Public Broadcasting System broadcast in 2001.
22. Neale Donald Walsch, The New Revelations: A Conversation with God (New York: Atria Books, 2002), p. 157.
23. Neale Donald Walsch, Conversations with God: an uncommon dialogue, Book 1 (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1996), p. 90.
24. http://www.rethinkconference.com (See also WorldNetDaily.com 10/30/07 “What is Robert Schuller ‘rethinking’?” by Joseph Farah and “Rethinking Robert Schuller” by Warren Smith. See also Herescope: "Rethinking Culture" and "Rethinking and Reinventing" (10/30/07)
 


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Home | Articles | NEW AGE terms in the church

[LightLizard]

pesonally, i think eckhart tolle is one of the greatest writers and philosophers of our time. but why do you care what people believe, mimi? are you so insecure in your own beliefs that you need others to agree with you? that is a common error many make and it just shows how empty 'faith' really is...

[paris]

I am interested in reading Tolle's book that Oprah and him are using in their book club online group.  But, I love to read any and everything that teaches me.  LL, have you read the book and what do you think of it?  Do you suggest another of his?  Thanks   

[kellyt]

but why do you care what people believe, mimi? are you so insecure in your own beliefs that you need others to agree with you? that is a common error many make and it just shows how empty 'faith' really is...

Are you serious?

[Mimi]

I found the Jesus of the Bible to be wholly believable as He taught God’s truth and warned about the spiritual deception that would come in His name. The “Jesus” of A Course in Miracles reveals himself to be an imposter when he blasphemes the true Jesus Christ by saying that a “slain Christ has no meaning” and that we are all “God” and that we are all “Christ.” It was by reading the Bible’s true teachings of Jesus Christ that I came to understand how deceived I had been by A Course in Miracles and my other New Age teachings.

I, too, believe as Warren Smith, that the Bible is the true teachings of Jesus Christ.  And yes, I have read some of
these new age books and some of the books by Marianne Williamson and it is obvious to a true Christian that these
books are way off base and most certainly not the truth.



but why do you care what people believe, mimi? are you so insecure in your own beliefs that you need others to agree with you? that is a common error many make and it just shows how empty 'faith' really is

Am I insecure in my own beliefs?  Absolutely NOT.  I've been a Christian for 64 years and I want to be absorbed
in the function of the family of God as a participant, rather than a spectator.  As a Christian I am supposed to relate to, work with, and care for others whom I know and love.  And when possible, to those I do not know.  I am
personally responsible to God to do these things.  It is not automatic.  LL you ought to try Jesus Christ for awhile,
you might like Him.

Love, Mimi

[LightLizard]

 

[The Wife]

Christians believe there is a God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  Huna teaches that the Trinity is our super conscious, conscious, and lower conscious.  Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 will go to heaven.  According to this belief, those that are still alive and hoping to go to heaven may as well give up because based on this belief, heaven should already be full considering that more than 144,000 have died.  And what about Buddhists?  They believe in re-incarnation...the answer to why children come to this life with illness...to balance karma from a previous life.  Then we have the ones that believe that if they kill others, they will gain many virgins when they get to heaven.  What about the women that strap bombs to their chests?  Do they also get all those virgins?  Does that mean that when they die, they get to keep their bodies and sexual desires?  What about those that believe Christ was a myth, that there were a few of the same man that came into existence throughout history?  Are they right?  And what about those that say the bible was translated incorrectly so that the church could control the people?  Is this true?  Oh, the list could go on.

Now what would happen if everyone put their beliefs aside for one moment and just sat and listened to their breath? 

Ahhhh....

 

[glitter]

I am pretty much a 'live and let live' type of gal, but I have to ask....you said,"

I, too, believe as Warren Smith, that the Bible is the true teachings of Jesus Christ.  And yes, I have read some of
these new age books and some of the books by Marianne Williamson and it is obvious to a true Christian that these
books are way off base and most certainly not the truth.

why does the fact that  a 'true' Christian supercedes everyone else's beliefs? Don't you think other people  believe their versions of the 'truth' just as
 fervently as yourself? Why is Christianity right.....and everyone else wrong?  Do you think ALL other religions are wrong...and Christianity is right? I find that to be pretty arrogant.

[Mimi]

I am pretty much a 'live and let live' type of gal, but I have to ask....you said,"

I, too, believe as Warren Smith, that the Bible is the true teachings of Jesus Christ.  And yes, I have read some of
these new age books and some of the books by Marianne Williamson and it is obvious to a true Christian that these
books are way off base and most certainly not the truth.

why does the fact that  a 'true' Christian supercedes everyone else's beliefs? Don't you think other people  believe their versions of the 'truth' just as
 fervently as yourself? Why is Christianity right.....and everyone else wrong?  Do you think ALL other religions are wrong...and Christianity is right? I find that to be pretty arrogant.

When considering Christianity,  the most important event in history, that was the catalyst that eventually turned the skeptics  to Christianity - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are three indisputable historical facts that even the most liberal scholars agree on: 1) Jesus Christ was a real person who lived in Judea in the first century, 2) Christ was hung on a cross to die, 3) Christ's tomb was empty. Given these three facts, coupled with the scores of complimentary evidences you will find regarding his resurrection, it will be very difficult to escape the conclusion that Christ truly did rise from the dead, and is thus who He claims to be, God.  We are the only ones who have a living God.  I am not trying to be arrogant, I am just stating the truth.


Mimi

[Mimi]

Christians believe there is a God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  Huna teaches that the Trinity is our super conscious, conscious, and lower conscious.  Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 will go to heaven.  According to this belief, those that are still alive and hoping to go to heaven may as well give up because based on this belief, heaven should already be full considering that more than 144,000 have died.  And what about Buddhists?  They believe in re-incarnation...the answer to why children come to this life with illness...to balance karma from a previous life.  Then we have the ones that believe that if they kill others, they will gain many virgins when they get to heaven.  What about the women that strap bombs to their chests?  Do they also get all those virgins?  Does that mean that when they die, they get to keep their bodies and sexual desires?  What about those that believe Christ was a myth, that there were a few of the same man that came into existence throughout history?  Are they right?  And what about those that say the bible was translated incorrectly so that the church could control the people?  Is this true?  Oh, the list could go on.

Christianity is based on the Triune God of the Bible - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and particularly the life of the Son, Jesus Christ. All other religions are based on the writings of men and not the life of any particular individual. Judaism, the sister religion to Christianity, is based on the Old Testament of the Bible, rejecting the entire New Testament and holding that the Messiah has not yet come. Islam is based on the writings of Muhammad, where they worship a single, impersonal god. Mormonism is based on the writings of Joseph Smith, where they deny the divinity of Jesus, believe in many gods, and believe men can attain godhood and rule over their own planet. The Eastern religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism, and Western new-age religions such as Christian Science essentially believe everything is god (Pantheism - may the force be with you). These religions also teach reincarnation until the spirit reaches a level of "enlightenment" and oneness with god or the gods. Christianity teaches one death and one judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
There is little that Jesus' claims are legend.  There wasn't enough time for any ledgendary development of the story
to replace what really happened.  We know the Gospels were written some 30 to 50 years after His crucifixtion
and we date some Christian creeds to 3 to 10 years afer His death.
No religious leader or group can claim exclusive control or possesion of the true interpretation of the Bible.  Through the Holy Spirit, all Christians are capable of interpreting and understanding the Holy Bible.All people who have accepted the free gift of Jesus Christ as their Saviour are saved.  Salvation is 'by grace through faith' in Jesus Christ alone.  No amount of works or membership in any religious group is is required for eternal life with God.
The evidence of history, archaeology, and prophecy reveal about Biiblical inspiration, trustworthiness, and  authenticity.

Mimi








 



 

[glitter]

When considering Christianity,  the most important event in history, that was the catalyst that eventually turned the skeptics  to Christianity - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are three indisputable historical facts that even the most liberal scholars agree on: 1) Jesus Christ was a real person who lived in Judea in the first century, 2) Christ was hung on a cross to die, 3) Christ's tomb was empty. Given these three facts, coupled with the scores of complimentary evidences you will find regarding his resurrection, it will be very difficult to escape the conclusion that Christ truly did rise from the dead, and is thus who He claims to be, God.  We are the only ones who have a living God.  I am not trying to be arrogant, I am just stating the truth.

This is not  fact- the bible has not been proved.
None of this is proven fact. Every single thing you have written can be discounted, and your conclusion is your own, its not a FACT. You have religious faith so you believe,  your saying your faith must be better then all the non- Christian faiths, because 'yours is the only TRUTH' but its only your truth. Your assumption that only you are correct is my point- other people have their own arguments for their faith too, and they think they are 'right' too. and each of them thinks your wrong and they are right....but the truth is Gods existence has not been proven by anyone.

 this is all you get-make the most of it.

[The Wife]

Mimi - please learn to put what you write outside of where you are quoting another.

This is what I wrote:

Christians believe there is a God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  Huna teaches that the Trinity is our super conscious, conscious, and lower conscious.  Jehovah's Witnesses believe that only 144,000 will go to heaven.  According to this belief, those that are still alive and hoping to go to heaven may as well give up because based on this belief, heaven should already be full considering that more than 144,000 have died.  And what about Buddhists?  They believe in re-incarnation...the answer to why children come to this life with illness...to balance karma from a previous life.  Then we have the ones that believe that if they kill others, they will gain many virgins when they get to heaven.  What about the women that strap bombs to their chests?  Do they also get all those virgins?  Does that mean that when they die, they get to keep their bodies and sexual desires?  What about those that believe Christ was a myth, that there were a few of the same man that came into existence throughout history?  Are they right?  And what about those that say the bible was translated incorrectly so that the church could control the people?  Is this true?  Oh, the list could go on.

Here's what you wrote:

Christianity is based on the Triune God of the Bible - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and particularly the life of the Son, Jesus Christ. All other religions are based on the writings of men and not the life of any particular individual. Judaism, the sister religion to Christianity, is based on the Old Testament of the Bible, rejecting the entire New Testament and holding that the Messiah has not yet come. Islam is based on the writings of Muhammad, where they worship a single, impersonal god. Mormonism is based on the writings of Joseph Smith, where they deny the divinity of Jesus, believe in many gods, and believe men can attain godhood and rule over their own planet. The Eastern religions, including Hinduism and Buddhism, and Western new-age religions such as Christian Science essentially believe everything is god (Pantheism - may the force be with you). These religions also teach reincarnation until the spirit reaches a level of "enlightenment" and oneness with god or the gods. Christianity teaches one death and one judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
There is little that Jesus' claims are legend.  There wasn't enough time for any ledgendary development of the story
to replace what really happened.  We know the Gospels were written some 30 to 50 years after His crucifixtion
and we date some Christian creeds to 3 to 10 years afer His death.
No religious leader or group can claim exclusive control or possesion of the true interpretation of the Bible.  Through the Holy Spirit, all Christians are capable of interpreting and understanding the Holy Bible.All people who have accepted the free gift of Jesus Christ as their Saviour are saved.  Salvation is 'by grace through faith' in Jesus Christ alone.  No amount of works or membership in any religious group is is required for eternal life with God.
The evidence of history, archaeology, and prophecy reveal about Biiblical inspiration, trustworthiness, and  authenticity.

Mimi



"No religious leader or group can claim exclusive control or possesion of the true interpretation of the Bible."  by Mimi

Thank you Mimi.

[Mimi]

I am sorry but these facts are a part of history.  You believe what you want to.
The Bible says that Jesus says: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.Matthew 7:6.

Good Night Glitter,
Mimi

[The Wife]

All we need is love...
da da da da da
All we need is love....
da da da da da
All we need is love
love
love is all we need

 

[Mimi]

LOL...........OK

Goodnight TW,
Mimi

[The Wife]

I don't know what happened but one post posted twice, and then I went back and tried to fix it, and then I just laughed and started to sing.

Nighty night everyone. 

[glitter]

 did she just call me a dog and a swine? 

[The Wife]

On one hand, the teachings of Jesus say to love unconditionally.  On the other, there is the swine quote that I've seen used before when someone disagrees or doesn't accept Christ as their savior.  How is casting aside or calling of names uncondtional love?

What about Buddha?  He seemed to be a pretty loving guy, teaching a lot of what Jesus was teaching, just in a different way.  Why isn't the teachings of Buddha just as valid as the teachings of Jesus?

When I listened to this Muslim preacher on TV for awhile, he was preaching love, kindness, community, etc.  It was beautiful.  In fact, he was saying a lot of what Jesus and Buddha have said.  From what I understand, Mohammed was given the Koran through a dream - spoken by God.   

So now we have a clash.  As I understand, Muslims say God spoke through Mohammed and Christians state that all other writings come from man whereas True Christianity is the only one where God has spoken.  Since there are many sectors of Christianity, which one is the true one?  And how do you know which one is true?  How do the Islams know that their God is the only God? Or the Christians?

The more one reads, the more one can get confused.  So, if the bible is the only true book spoken by God, did 'God' pick up a pen or was it a man or many men who scribed it?  Wasn't Jesus a man? 

If Jesus did walk the earth as a human being and discovered a higher consciousness, then wouldn't it mean that we can all discover what some term 'Christ Consciousness?"   If man was created in God's imagine, wouldn't that mean that we are all God?  That there is no separation, that we are all one?  That we are one with God?  And what exactly is God?  What's the difference between a personal and impersonal God?  And what about the defintion of God as Generator, Organizer, Designer? 

Jesus also stated that the Kingdom of Heaven is within.   What is heaven?  Is it a place or a state of being?  And if it's within, wouldn't that mean it's in our very own hearts?

I know, I know.  I love to ask questions.  But you know what, my questions are just that, questions.  What matters most to me is not what religion or belief system a person follows.  To me, the only thing that matters is Love.

 

[meadowlandsnj]

I am sorry but these facts are a part of history.  You believe what you want to.
The Bible says that Jesus says: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast your pearls before swine,
lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.Matthew 7:6.

Good Night Glitter,
Mimi

Didn't Jesus also rescue a prostitute who was about to be stoned???  Didn't he hang out with tax collecters (the most hated men in town), thieves, criminals and the lowest of the low???  Would you consider that casting pearls before swine?  I think it all comes down to interpertation. 

Donna

[meadowlandsnj]

I started to read a Course in Miracles a few years ago.  I just didn't make sense to me personally, I did not really understand it.  But it really is popular, my local Catholic church had weekend retreats based on some of the writings.  I read some of Marianne Williamsons books and I took what I could out of them, some was useful to me, some was just New Age BS.  You have to think for yourself and have an open mind and take what is useful for you out of these works.  I would never ever let someone ELSE tell me what is good or what is not good, I have my own mind.   I don't trust those religious preachers or the guys you see on TV shilling for money every morning.  I don't like Pat Robertson--he's just abhorant to me, his arrogance and self righteousness, in fact he and the other TV Evangelists make my skin crawl.  Jerry Falwell was the same.
 Think for yourself.  Don't follow anybody blindly.

Donna