Oprah Nation
I am hooked on Oprah. It's not uncommon for me to catch myself saying, "On Oprah the other day..." Having said that - let me explain some history and then ask a few questions about Oprah.
Time Magazine listed the top 100 most influential people of the 20th century. Oprah Winfrey was in that list alongside the likes of Albert Einstein, Nelson Mandela, Pope John Paul II, and Billy Graham. In addition, Newsweek named her the most important person in books and media. The breadth of her influence in today's culture amazingly surpasses socio-economic barriers, race barriers, and age barriers. The most powerful woman in the world, she is a media mogul and a millionaire with a sincere following that is fondly referred to as the 'Oprah nation'. "In Oprah Nation, there are departments of Recovery, Self-Discovery and Compassion. Its citizens are the viewers, readers, believers and secret sharers for whom the phrase, "I saw it on Oprah" is gospel," writes Tampa's Sun Sentinel. Oprah's influential reach includes her daily talk show, viewed by 30 million in 117 countries each week, her Magazine with a circulation of 2.6 million, her entertainment group called Harpo, and Oxygen, Oprah's cable network. She suggests a consumer boycott and successfully bends industries to her will. She dictates the shopping choices of millions. Publishers market books to Oprah rather than consumers, because they have learned that an endorsement by Oprah ensures successful sales. Oprah has the power to partner with government agencies as a social activist for children. There is no historical precedent for Oprah Winfrey.
The term, 'Oprah-cult' has been coined to describe the brand of spirituality that Oprah speaks of openly. Her charisma, warmth, and ability to inspire trust are what make Oprah's influence more far-reaching than the average celebrity. But her power comes from a grasp of what it means to suffer. With honest vulnerability she shares her memories of childhood rape and incest, her battle with weight, her perseverance as a black woman and the loneliness of being single and motherless. She has been in our shoes, living through the pain and misery of everyday life. Her message is about strength, about overcoming suffering and seizing hope in self improvement. Her message is also that a life well-lived should be purposeful and well thought out. But more than her message, Oprah lives out what she preaches. She is one of the world's most visible philanthropists, donating millions of her own dollars to worthy causes. Oprah did her show live from the New Orleans's superdome during the aftermath of Katrina. She is currently spearheading a search, in partnership with the FBI and her viewers, to hunt down America's most wanted child molesters, offering personal $100,000 rewards for their capture. Not only does she put her actions and her money where her mouth is, Oprah hears from God. She openly shares about the mission God has given her to help the downtrodden. She often cites God's call as motivation for her social activist pursuits.
Is Oprah a Christian? The thousands of Christians who follow her show say, "Yes!" In a recent poll asking people across the U.S. who they thought would be in heaven, Oprah Winfrey topped the list. However, according to Oprah's guru, Gary Zukav, she is New Age. Zukav, author of a number of books on the religion of New Age, including The Seat of the Soul, is a regular guest on her show. Likewise, in January 2000, Oprah was featured on Zukav's web site along with other New Age activists as a fellow "Soul Guest". Oprah believes in reincarnation, the supremacy of self and the self's ability to make one 'born again' (a phrase Oprah uses repeatedly to describe what she is trying to bring about in her listener's lives). There is never a hint of the problem of sin on her show. Only the power of positive thinking to change the world.
Clearly Oprah is an influential force in contemporary culture. What should the Church's stance be in relation to Oprah?
- Should the Church have a stance?
- Does it even matter that she is 'New Age'?
- Should we acknowledge the good that she does and partner with her efforts?
- Should we oppose Oprah because of her religious beliefs?
- Should it concern us that so many, Christians and non-Christians alike, admire Oprah's spirituality… unaware of her religious affiliation?
posted by Andrea @ 2:27 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
when i was a freshman in high school i actually wrote a report on oprah winfrey. so what i am saying is andrea, if you ever need anymore research, i am your "go to gal". all for the color purple...
Hey Andrea...
my wife is totally hooked on oprah too. it's hilarious. And that whole, "On Oprah the other day" embarassment is similar to guys like me who say, "On Simpsons the other day" and then wonder, "Ooops, does that make me a shallow persons?"
I believe Oprah will be in heaven. Or she'll just buy it.
dd
"The Oprah" is a daytime deity that I cannot speak of... lest I fall into temptation.
I think that Satan is laughing behind one of his cloven hooves about all the good that Oprah does. As long as she never does anything in the name of his mortal enemy -- Jesus Christ -- (and she doesn't), then he's got nothing to fear. Because that's where the chink in the armor begins, and the flock starts looking away from the cross of Christ and instead starts gazing at this woman, Oprah. Jesus said "Feed my Sheep", which in effect is saying to "Identify yourself with MY interests in other people," not, "Identify me with YOUR interests in other people." (That's according to Oswald Chambers.) Because that's where self-aggrandizement and self-adulation and a whole host of other things come into play in a person's life; that happens to people, because we're just PEOPLE. Why can't she continue to do the things she's doing, but give credit to where it's due, and get out of the way of herself? Her pedestal keeps rising, and she seems to like it. The only person who belongs on a pedestal is Jesus Christ Himself.
Andrea, I don't think you could have used better words. To which I would like to add that Oprah is a wonderful and wonderous teacher. She is some one to learn from. If some one mistakenly chooses to raise her to a deity, then that is that person's mistake.
Oprah has made it clear on her show about giving credit where it is due, and she does openly give it to God. And has said so many times on her show.
I look at all the things she's done and how grateful and amazed she is at what she's able to do. It amazes me and inspires me. Oprah's Angel Network is a God sent blessing, the schools and centers she's built in Africa are beyond words.
I can't see how any can dare say this is not by God's will... That she has not done God's will because his will IS to care for each other and raise up those who are suffering that they may have better lives.
I cannot say who is and who is not going to Heaven, although I sure would like to meet her there. For those who dismiss what she's been able to do for humanity, and the things she's accomplished- they should be ashamed of themselves for their judgments.
I try to consider the source and it's a truism. Those who have less often attack those who have more. Meaning that a person will, whether intentional or subconsiously, deliver insults and negative judgments because their target has succeeded in their efforts and gained more.
As I said in the beginning of my note. Oprah is a teacher, she's not a deity. And the Lord did promise many teachers to the nations.
Again Andrea, thank you for your words. I could not have said it better myself.
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