It is no secret that I dislike Oprah Winfrey's mind control over most of America. So when I read this headline today, "Enough’s enough: Oprah is oversaturated," I thought, "Well it's about damn time!" This was the straw that broke the back of the camel that carried the miniscule amount of respect I had for Oprah: "Oprah denied Christ video clip"
Nobody should have as much power and influence as that woman does. Not because she is black, not because she is a woman, but because that much power creates a "God complex," like the funny and talented Kathy Griffin sheds light on. The following is an excerpt of the article that warns of overdipping her hand in the proverbial cookie jar. This is one lady that needs to steer clear of the cookie jar all together! :
But how long can she go before people suffer Oprah overload? In many ways, she’s terrific. Yet she’s also a brand, and consumers tend to get sick of brands when they feel they’re being force-fed them.
Besides her show, she also has “Oprah’s Big Give”; “Oprah Winfrey Presents” movies and miniseries; “Oprah & Friends” on XM Satellite Radio; O, The Oprah Magazine; plus … whew! It’s a good thing this woman doesn’t have to send out resumes anymore because the postage would wipe her out. Maybe, just maybe, it’s time for Oprah to pull back a little. (Michael Ventre)
In my opinion, Oprah is using money to win loyalty and love. Who gives a rat's ass if she gives away money. She is one of the richest people in the world! She probably pisses liquid gold. She should be giving away money and not televising it for her own personal popularity contest. "Look at me! I'm giving stuff away because I'm a good person!" Did she give away money when she was just a lowly newbie talk show host? No freakin' way! Blessed are those who do not have the means to give, but do anyway (and not expect anything in return, like your vote for Obama or the purchase of some whack job's book on the illegitimacy of Christ . WTFroglegs is that all about?)
Anyway, I just thought I'd share my hope that Oprah does take a dive in her rankings in the near future. Her and The Wiggles...they've gotta go.
1 hour ago
44 guests at the inn:
You go, girl. We refused to watch the "Big Give".. even Matt has had enough of her! Cancer patients, poor folk, you name it.. they so went for the ratings, didn't they? Like Joe Public couldn't see through it all! Sheesh!
Like Michael Jackson, seems like she surrounded herself with wealth and "Yes People". I would love to get her, Uncle Mel, Mama and a Bible locked in the same room... :o)
~M in CO
I'm sorry... while I don't disagree that this country may be suffering an Oprah overdose, I don't see at all how she is "denying Christ" in that clip. All she's saying is that there are many ways to live a good, loving, purposeful life & many ways to reach "God", whether you believe that God is Christ or Buddha or Muhammed, or simply "the light". How is that wrong??? I think she's 100% correct, & that woman in the audience is pretty ignorant for not recognizing that not everyone in the world is a Christian. I for one raise my children in my faith (Judaism), but I teach them that there are many ways to reach "God" in this world & our faith doesn't make someone else's faith any less legitimate.
--Flynn
I agree that there are many ways in which we can experience God in this life. But the Bible, which is the Book our family lives by, states that there is but one way to the The Father and that is through His Son, Jesus. Not Buddha, not a light...nothing but the blood of Jesus.
**Everyone is allowed to believe how they wish, here the the Womb, and share thier beliefs. I'm just sharing mine. I thank you all for sharing yours, as well!
Amen sister. A freakin men. There is just something about those wiggles that resemble a train wreck...no matter how badly you want to, you just can't look away....
Amen Amen Amen! You are SO SO right and it's shameful that one person has been given as much power as she has and when given the opportunity to praise God, she has denied it. Shameful!
Love your blog by the way, I read it every day and you are so funny! I am a mother of identical twin girls and although I only have 2 children, I can relate to the chaos of being a mother :-)
See, this is what I don't get... how exactly did she "deny" God?? She didn't even deny Christ as far as I can tell.
While I am not really an Oprah fan, I must say that when I watched that youtube clip (I had never seen that or heard about it before), I felt very much in agreement with Oprah and angered by those women speaking in the audience.
Who are they to say what is the "only" way? I get so infuriated when people tell me that if you don't believe and have Jesus in your life, then you are going to hell. I hear it far too often. I'm glad you all have it figured out and know exactly what happens. I choose to hope that if I live my life as a good moral and decent person then whatever "light" there is at the end of my tunnel, I will be accepted into it. I do not go around telling people that I feel their beliefs are a bunch of crap. This is out of respect for their beliefs. But this doesn't seem to stop people from telling me or anyone else that doesn't buy into it, that they will go to hell if they are not saved.
If someone is going to be influenced by Oprah, that is their problem. People get upset that Oprah is influencing people, but they don't seem to mind that many Christians are out there trying to use their power to influence others and make them agree with their beliefs!
And I don't care if Oprah does make tons of money and is self-obsessed...she does great things for so many people which is commendable, no matter who you are.
And I love the Wiggles! :-)
I really thought you were an open-minded person. However, your family "lives by" the Bible? And no one else's beliefs have any validity?
Are you aware that you can be a good, kind, caring person... and have nothing to do with any "God"?
If you believe that people who do not "believe in Jesus" are going to "hell" (whatever that might be) you are a hypocrite. Even your so-called saviour had more compassion and common sense than you.
I am honestly not seeing how she is "denying Christ" either. Can someone please explain? Seriously?
As a catholic, I was always taught in school (by nuns) that it was more meaningful to live a good life - like Jesus - than attending church and reading the bible. I think the most dangerous way to live is in judgment of others.
I'm going to skip the Christ thing and merely relay what I thought was a strange juxtaposition of show topics.
I watched Oprah one day during my elliptical routine and she had on a few therapists working with a married couple. It was quite riveting to witness the stuff they were going through and the revelations they seemed to have made.
Fast forward the next minute to a teaser for the next day's program: David Blaine--frozen in ice!!!
Such is life in the United States of Entertainment.
I also have to state that Oprah is obviously famous and definitely a success story. I don't see how that in and of itself is a bad thing. I honestly don't mean this in a nasty way - but you have multiple blogs, have appeared on prime time television, and state your religious beliefs on a public website. So in some respects you are living a life similar to Oprah's, the difference being, you believe that Oprah's views on spirituality are wrong.
Oh my! So much controversy :)
Judging others is something that we all do. Anyone who denies that is in denial.
Anyway, we are going to have to agree to disagree because I don't have the years it would take to argue theology.
"Who Cares?"~
Name calling,in the comments section, is not appreciated.We can all express our views without getting ugly.
Thanks.
Ha! Did I just get compared to Oprah? Oh that is funny!
Oh trust me, I know that we all judge others. But this should be something we strive not to do. So, you can surely see the irony when you speak of Christ while simultaneously judging others.
Maybe that clip in itself did not show exactly what I'm talking about when I say that she denied Christ. She says that there are many ways to get to Heaven. That is in direct contradiciton to the teachings of the Bible.
The book that she has derived her newly morphed beliefs from, talks about there not being any such thing as sin. That is also an example of the way in which her new beliefs contradict the Bible.
There are many things that they discussed on the show which deny there being one Christ, one holy trinity.
Just wanted to clarify what I was talking about.
As far as being open minded...
I try to be, but I refuse to abandon my faith and the teachings of the Bible, if that is what it means to be open minded.
Is there not to be a judgment day at the end of our time on earth? Do we not have a judicial system? Our society is full of judgment. Employees are hired based on a bosses judgment. Contests are judged, everything on this earth has been critiqued. Whether we choose to see it or not, judging is our way of life.
Not judging is impossible. It is the only way to decipher what we like, need and can benefit from.
From the very begining, I have written posts that judge people. I judge myself, my kids, my husband, society. This is not the first time I've voiced my oppinions based on judgment.
Hey...am I being judged for judging? Now that is irony! I love it :)
Thanks for giving me the biggest laugh I've had all day!!
okay, gotta go. Homework and dishes to be done!
I would encourage you to read on the history of the bible and religion. It's all a big, ever-changing mass of thought. Even concepts of God have changed over time.
I would also say that the girls of South Africa probably care that Oprah gives out money. It is unavoidable for Oprah to do much without the media getting wind of it and I'm sure she's changed a lot of lives for the better, even if she annoys me too.
Kadi,
I certainly respect your faith & your desire to pass it on to your children. I, as a Jewish woman, have the same desire for my children. The point is that while we may be judged in an afterlife, it may not be through Christ. Who knows? You believe he is the son of God. I do not. However, I still believe in a soul & that we need to do good in our time on Earth in order for our soul to move closer to God when we die. So aren't we living the same good? Is a belief in Christ the ONLY way to reach "heaven" or peace in the afterlife? Of course not. Is the Bible actually the word of God? Of course not... it is a written text, translated by thousands upon thousands of people over thousands & thousands of years. Like any work of Man, it has contradictions, antiquities, mistranslations, and omissions. While it may have been INSPIRED by God, & while most of its teachings are based on goodness & kindness, I agree with Oprah... to try to derive an exact morality from it is an impossibility.
--Flynn
ooooooo this boils my blood! I'm glad you posted this. It really is simple: Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life. NO MAN (not even Oprah) comes to the Father except by me. There is only one way to eteranal life and that's by accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior.
God warned us: in Pro. 14:12 How foolish, then, is the nonsense that says, "It doesn't mater what you believe as long as you are sincere." IT DOES MATTER. It is a matter of life and death. God doesn't say pick a card any card God says, "Follow Jesus Christ."
There are many false ways, but ONLY ONE TRUE WAY for the gate is small and the WAY is narrow that leads to life and FEW find it.
Nor can any of us earn the right to know God. Good works are indeed our duty, but they do not earn a ticket to Heaven. No matter how much Oprah gives or does she does if she does not know God as her personal Lord and savior on the day of Judgement he will say to her depart from me I never knew you.
http://members.aol.com/rbiblech/MiscDoctrine/IsJesusChristTheOnlyWayToGod.htm
http://members.aol.com/rbiblech/MiscDoctrine/IsJesusChristTheOnlyWayToGod.htm
Bridget,
How do you KNOW Jesus said that? It is based on your FAITH. And faith is faith, it is NOT a universal truth.
You believe "There is only one way to eteranal life and that's by accepting Christ as your Lord and Savior." Many, many people in this world have different beliefs. Who's to say who's right & who's wrong? In fact, who's to say there even is a right or wrong answer? Are you so close-minded, intolerant, & irrational as to believe you HAVE to accept Christ as the son of God & that the Bible is literally the word of God?
Do not impose your beliefs on others... my faith is just as much a truth to me as yours is to you.
--Flynn
As a Pastafarian - I would like to say that you are all wrong and that the Flying Spaghetti Monster reached out and created mountains, trees and a midget. May you be touched by his noodley appendage.
Ramen.
I've been trying to leave a comment, but my eyes are so bad that apparently I can't do the whole "enter the code" thing and make the letters match up.
So, my comment is now over at my blog. This is not a shameless link, it's a long, heartfelt comment. Ciao!
http://fashionparamedic.com/?p=266
--Fashion Paramedic
Thank you, Alice for keeping the mood light!
Peas be with you!
OMG, Alice--that's hilarious!
I heart Alice totally. But I do totally agree with Flynn. I've struggled with my faith for years only to come to this very conclusion.
But I do also appreciate other points of views. And I think that they should be open-minded to mine as well.
You are a brave woman. I applaud you for taking a risk and sharing your opinion.
And here I was ALL this time thinking that I (and I alone) was the token Humor-Blogs Pastafarian! Alice! My Noodley Sister! I embrace thee in my meatball sauce!
As for Oprah...meh...who cares. She's probably trying to do the right thing living in her fishbowl. Or maybe she's an ass. As I might have mentioned earlier...meh....
I am not getting into the religion thing. As for my not being a huge Oprah fan, here's why. It's not that she doesn't do good things. She does. I just don't go for the whole celebrity thing. Anyone with that much money doesn't have anything in common with me, therefore, I hardly see how I could relate to them. They have thier world. I have mine. We might look into each others for a while, but we'd have nothing to talk about should we ever meet. I really don't care what she has to say or what her stand of the week is. I don't watch talk shows (well, I used to watch Jerry once in a while - that show was funny).
Hey! Guess what everyone? This is Kadi's blog, and she can state her views as she pleases. She just so happens to be a Christian- with a capital C. She also believes that the Bible IS the word of God, and, as the Bible says, the only way to God is through Jesus Christ, His Son. So, I guess that really, if you don't agree with the philosophy, you don't have to keep reading. Am I right here, or what? And as for Oprah- she's just plain to full of herself, and too many ignorant people who don't know what they stand for are too influenced by her. Glad you know what you believe in, Kadi, and you are standing up for it. I stand with you!!!
Mandy,
Of course it's her blog. But she also advertises her blog on humor-blogs.com and asks people to visit and comment. In my opinion that opens up the opportunity for debate, particularly when she blogs about a hot topic like this.
I have absolutely no problem with Christians. But, to be perfectly frank, I do find it grating when I come across one who feels that Christianity is the ONLY way. It comes across, to me anyway, as very condescending and arrogant. It also strikes me as very un-Jesus-like. And those who make statements about non-Christians going to hell REALLY crack me up.
I've been supportive of Kadi (through my comments which, again, she invited by posting her link on humor-blogs) when her Grandfather passed away, when she was getting stalked by weirdos after being on that Nanny show, etc. As for Oprah, I don't know her and I never watch her shows. But what I know of her is that she has accomplished a lot more than I have. She's given of herself a lot more than I have. Is she, as you put it, too "full of herself"? Maybe. But she could just hoard her money and not do a damn thing for anyone but make sure she goes to church on Sundays so that everyone will see what a good girl she is. It seems to me that she is, at least, making an effort to walk the walk and talk the talk of a "Good Christian Woman".
I will choose not to judge Kadi on her religious choices. And I expect the same respect from her. I think if we all extended this courtesy to each other the world would be much happier, safer and harmonious place.
Kadi,
I very much agree with you what the Bible says about there being one way to God, through his son Jesus. However, if Oprah, and others in this world, don't see that or agree with that, that is thier right. Everyone will not choose Christ, but that doesn't mean they're misleading the world. The just need someone to share that love with them without making it an issue...just to live out your faith makes all the difference. Christians often confuse "living your faith" and "being a witness" with a form of preaching and trying to win the arguement. This is not an effective means of witnessing.
Oprah has touched and inspired a lot of people to think about what they believe and know why you believe it. I personally love Oprah and respect her greatly...just like I respect and love other non-believers. How bold of you to even bring this contraversial issue up! That's awesome to get this discussion out in the open.
oh--one more thing.
How can anyone call themselves a Christian and NOT think that the only way to heaven is through Jesus....as you said Kadi, that IS what the bible says. So if you really have no problem with Christians, you're gonna hear "the only way to God is through his son Jesus."
Kadi, I guess that means I won't tell Oprah you said "hello" when I go see her in a couple of months. Not that I am a huge fan of hers, but it's a mini vacation that my sister is paying for-whoo hoo!
Ha! That's hilarious Dee!
Well, Bex, the problem is, as a Christian, I DO believe the only way to heaven is through Christ. That's not being arrogant or condescending- just truthful. And it is not even being un-Jesus-like, because it is doing what He said we should do. As I said, my problem with Oprah is not that she is not giving- she does, as you said, walk the walk- but she also sways with the wind. I'm proud I am a Christians who's beliefs are planted firmly and not swayed by other's comments or theories. The wonderful thing about most Christians I know is that they are all very giving, but don't have to televise it to make themselves look good to others. They walk the walk daily without a television crew or an audience- and to me, that is the true mark of a good person. I am not a harsh and unloving person, but I love my God, and I believe in His teachings.
Hey, Mandy. What I meant by it being "the only way" is that I get the impression from some (but definitely not all) Christians that they think it is not possible to be a non-Christian and to also be a good person who lives a good life. There was a self-righteousness that I perceived from some of the earlier comments. The vast majority of my family are Christians. We have a few agnostics, atheists and also a few Jews thrown in for good measure. I tend to judge people on their actions and not what church they go to or how (or to whom or if at all) they pray.
As for Oprah. I have no idea if she's a good person or not. I actually don't care at all if she is or not. She has nothing to prove to me. I would hate to be famous for this very reason. I am (as you might have already perceived) a very flawed person myself and wouldn't want to have millions of strangers sitting in judgment on me and my life. I strongly suspect that she tries harder than I ever have or I ever will.
So, Mandy, I think I'm out of comments. Have yourself a nice day.
Respectfully,
Bex
PS Garcia - I really liked your comments. And I respect that Christians believe that the way to God is through Jesus. But I don't believe that a truly benevolent God would keep good and loving people from heaven because they had not come to believe this. And I find it funny when anyone states that someone is going to hell. Wouldn't that be God's decision to make?
Anyway I thought your comments were very well stated and enjoyed reading them.
I agree with you! I think our society so easily follows famous people and they become idols in their lives. Yes, she does good deeds. However, according to God's Word, good deeds without faith in HIM means nothing! God does not ask us to be show-y in our giving, but humble. She is a great example of a do-gooder but she is not God and should not be treated as such!
Can someone please tell me when and where Oprah went to seminary? When did she become a professor of the Bible and who God really is? Does she have personal access to Him? This makes me sad. I feel like she is abusing her power not realizing how much influence she has on her fans. Or maybe she does...
kadi, love you, girl. i also believe that the only way to God is through Jesus, and yes, oprah is an agnostic. for you or any of your other readers who also profess faith in Jesus Christ, i encourage y'all to listen to this sermon from a non-denominational church in memphis, TN: http://www.fellowshipradio.org/?p=146
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