Some of the best books I have ever read have come with a recommendation from Oprah Winfrey. While I read those novels because they intrigued me and not because of the Oprah’s Book Club sticker on the front cover, there are millions upon millions of people who hone in on that little orange sticker like flies to light. Commonly called the Oprah effect, the overwhelming influence of Oprah’s Book Club immediately projects her choice reads onto bestseller lists around the world.
Her book selections commonly include themes of women’s empowerment, strength in the face of adversity, and Christianity. However, lately her taste seems to be leaning towards self-help books centered around new age spirituality, featuring titles such as The Secret, or most enthusiastically A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.
She felt so passionately about the message of author Eckhart Tolle, that following her endorsements on both her television and radio show for A New Earth, she organized a ten-part series streamed live online, facilitating interaction and discussion of the book’s ideas with fans and the author. People from across the globe, representing 139 countries, tuned in to these “webclasses” in which viewers were walked through the book chapter by chapter.
“This is the most exciting thing I have ever done. I’ve done a lot of things in my life but I am most proud of the fact that all of you have joined us in this global community to talk about what I believe is one of the most important subjects and presented by one of the most important books of our time,
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose.”
--Oprah Winfrey
I watched the online classes to see what the hype was all about, which are still available on her website nearly a year after their completion. It is easy to see where the appeal of some of these new age spiritual movements comes from. Tolle preaches ideas of removing preconceptions from people and encourages us to strive for a place of “stillness” where we can be in touch with our inner consciousness. From a distance, the ideas of the book are very much in line with mainstream Christian teachings and are, to a certain point, motivational. However, as the discussions delve further and further into the author’s message, a clear divide between Christianity and the spiritualism of the book becomes apparent as it denounces the commonly accepted idea of God as conditioned thought and claims that ideologies of one way to peace (aka Jesus Christ) are limiting.
Tolle describes his philosophy as “going deeper” into religion stating that the book’s main purpose “is not to add new information or beliefs to your mind or to try to convince you of anything, but to bring about a shift in consciousness, or to ‘awaken.’” But how can someone, say a Christian like Oprah, rationalize such contradictory teachings?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qj0cvcKz7nQ&feature=related
Personal belief systems are important and we are all entitled to them as human beings, however, in many cases Oprah is seen as more than human. She has flown under the radar of political correctness, easily speaking about her faith and religious experiences as one of the most headed queens of all media, whether it be through her television show, her radio show, her magazine, or her book club. I can’t generalize all Oprah fans, but she is idolized by countless people who hang on her every word, accepting it, for whatever reason, as ultimate wisdom. She is literally the most influential woman in the world. So, seeing her making contradictory statements about a subject in which so many people look to her for guidance, was unsettling. I thought of the millions of people reading and living out this book simply because she says so. Frankly, it’s disturbing to see the power that one, under-qualified, person can have over the faith and spirituality of so many.
So I ask you this:
- Do you think the trendiness of books about new age spirituality such as A New Earth is threatening to traditional world religions, Christianity in particular?
- Concerning varying media and their formats, have we as a contemporary society consumed in television, internet, and other progressive forms of media failed to acknowledge the lasting influence of books?
- Can we as members of the LDS Church rationalize such new age spiritual thought with the traditions of our Christian faith?
Having never read the books, it's hard to say the threat the books pose to Christianity.
ReplyDeleteI do think is is nice to have an uplifting message coming from one of the most influential women in the world. I think it is good that she promotes education through literature- and although the views of each book may not be in line with my own beliefs, it is good that she makes suggestions on books that can are uplifting.
I don't agree that books have a more lasting effect than TV and the internet. Although they may last longer physically, I know that I am more emotional moved by real, visual images, than descriptions of them in the books. Her video seminars on the book then incorporate both forms of media, which can affect more audiences.
I don't think church members need to rational new age thought. Like any kind of education, from evolution to new age Christian, if our testimony is firm in the gospel, then we can learn about different thoughts in the world, and learn how they figure into our own belief system, or reject them entirely.
I certainly agree that Oprah as a "larger than life" following. Because of her popularity, she is put into a category all her own. She has an influence unlike any other, and she uses this influence as a platform for her opinions. She is an "idol" from a communications point of view.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that she seems to stand behind so many authors with such confidence. Instead of taking each book and looking at it from a critical point of view, it is not a pro and con look at the book but rather, exposure for the author because of her strong endorsement.
I do not think that people have underestimated book's lasting effect. I do believe, however, that we have captured the message of books into other forms of media to capitalize on the message. Take Oprah. She has her website, magazine, book club, TV show, and web classes to do this very thing.
As for New Earth, I have never read the book. I believe that there must be some truth within it, and any good comes from God. If it persuades people to take a closer look into their own faith, I believe that is a positive result. However, it could pose a threat to organized religion, as the Catholic lady Kelly discussed.
I do admire Tolle's motives to simply "awaken" people to a deeper way of thinking. Oprah referenced a passage from Tolle that stated, "Jesus came to show us the way of the heart. The higher consciousness." Which from an LDS perspective, we believe. However, she goes on to state, "I don't believe Jesus came to start Christianity."
Those who are unsure of their own personal beliefs will be tossed to and fro as the scriptures suggest. I feel like every whim of doctrine will uproot your testimony until you have found the power of the restored gospel.
Books have always been a symbol of status and education. I believe that this trend continues in our world today with the presentation of "new age" religious beliefs on the Oprah show. I believe that the infiltration of these books do not pose a threat to mainstream Christianity... or even the LDS faith for that matter.
ReplyDeleteWhen LDS people are confronted with "other" beliefs, whether or not they rationalize or embrace them is based on the strength of their own personal testimony. New Age had very unique ideas about the nature of God, etc. but whenever these issues get down to the root of the problem... it is man's desire to reach out and embrace something bigger... usually God.
I believe it is a good thing that these alternative points of view are presented fairly and give people the opportunity to explore them more for themselves.
Ironically the new age religions often teach doctrines that are precariously close to the truth as taught in the LDS church.... but many of them are false as well. This is the plight of all apostate religions.