An Indiana University Religious studies professor, Kathryn Lofton, studies the Oprah TV phenomenon.
Lofton said ,"Oprah’s self-described movement virtually always comes down to spiritual change through material gain and self-indulgence, rather than sacrifice. “She relentlessly turns people back to themselves with messages like, ‘If you buy yourself that skirt it will make you feel better and if you feel better, it’ll make you a better mom,"
“We talk in class about how to define a religion and ask what are we looking for when studying a religion,”
When I studied Oprah, I found that, yes, there are absolutely ritual practices. And, yes, there is a creed.
Old saying: "A bird in hand is worth 2 in the bush".
Is Oprah's gain today "A bird in hand" while Christianities
totally unsubstantiated promises, based only on faith, for an afterlife nought but "pie in the sky"?
Have you bought the Brooklyn Bridge lately also?
2006-12-12 00:56:36 · 9 answers · asked by dollparty.geo 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are also a ton of Christian churches that believe that God' blessings are shown through material possessions, so really, Oprah isn't anything new.
Rent this documentary for an interesting view of it. You'll find your teacher's ideas are not new at all.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068924/
2006-12-12 01:01:50 · answer #1 · answered by hawkthree 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She was raised in a Christian home and definitely understands the principles but has taken some Christianity and focused on pop psychology, and of course that appeals to masses who are spiritually hungry but do not want to sacrifce... or just want something easier and less committal.
Who doesn't want a free new care for their work? But it ultimately turns her "followers" away from the truth of God - which is harmful and misdirected.
It is a bit of a cult, as you say, a mild one but at the same time it has a huge buy-in with a huge number of people (particularly women).
I would be interested to see how she would give a comparison of what she does and Christianity - because there is just enough there to sell it, as most cults do - a little truth mixed in with alot of ....
2006-12-12 01:10:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i don't have ant theory about her non secular beliefs and do not experience a favor to. She like a number of American is entitled to worship as she pleases and if she pleases. i recognize her for many the failings she's performed to assist a lot less fortunate human beings than herself. and somewhat her having the intelligence and motivation to are starting to be to the position she is in existence thinking the awful opportunities she all started from.i do not talk my non secular beliefs and that i'm not in the slightest degree in contact with hers.
2016-11-30 11:37:31 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A true religion must include prayer and accounts of being either saved or healed. For example, there is a Presleyterian Church:
http://www.geocities.com/presleyterian_church/
Complete with attested 'miracles' where Elvis has intervened and healed a fan/devotee.
2006-12-12 01:03:55 · answer #4 · answered by Yngona D 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Many would be able to say some of the things she chooses to say, if they had the millions and a TV show to back them up.
2006-12-12 00:59:37 · answer #5 · answered by <><><> 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oprah talks about how good god is all the time, she is pro god. However, she also says that your god can be anything you want it to be. As sweet as she is, as benevolent and giving and praising-she is nothing but deadly poison to the soul.
2006-12-12 01:08:10 · answer #6 · answered by Desperado 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Oprah is the wife of the devil...
2006-12-12 01:14:50 · answer #7 · answered by Commander 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
oprah is 2 things. 1) uneducated 2) black. she's doomed.
2006-12-12 00:58:35 · answer #8 · answered by mikey g 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Religion is a crutch.
2006-12-12 01:15:57 · answer #9 · answered by TinyPuppyWuppy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋