A YouTube video which features talk show host Oprah Winfrey denying Jesus as the only way to God and promoting New Age ideas has received over 5 million views and is still climbing.
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(Photo: The Christian Post)In this still image of a computer screen showing the YouTube website, an image of talk show host Oprah Winfrey is seen, April 24, 2008. The YouTube video, which features Oprah denying Jesus as the only way to God and promoting New Age ideas, has received over 5 million views and is still climbing.
The under seven-minute video montage, entitled "The Church of Oprah Exposed," was posted about month ago and has since claimed the Top Favorites spot in the Web site's News & Politics category.
According to statistics posted on YouTube, the latest streams of visitors are coming from PerezHilton.com, a Hollywood gossip blog. The author of the blog wrote that "crazy Christians" are behind the effort to demonize Oprah as a "conduit of evil."
But many Christians say New Age teachings espoused by Oprah in the video are a cause for concern. They believe the day-time host is distorting Christianity and leading many into spiritual confusion.
In a commentary posted on The Morning Call, one pastor likened Oprah's multi-way approach to God to telling a blind man standing at the edge of a cliff that whichever way he chooses to walk is equally safe.
"She holds the trendy idea that religions are essentially the same and that there are many paths that lead to God. She irrationally romanticizes the notion that God can be whatever you want him/her/it to be," writes Steven W. Cornell, pastor of a Pennsylvania-based church.
One clip in the video shows Oprah blatantly denying Jesus as the only way to God.
"How can there be only one way to heaven or to God?" Oprah asked her audience in a show taped years ago.
When one woman in the audience asked, "What about Jesus?" Oprah defiantly answered, "What about Jesus?...There couldn't possibly be one way."
Another part of the YouTube video shows Oprah hosting her recent Webinar class, in which she promotes New Age writer Eckhart Tolle and his "New Earth" book.
A guest caller asked her in the segment how she reconciled certain spirituality teachings with those of Christianity.
Oprah went on to explain how her view of God changed after hearing a charismatic preacher describe God as "jealous God" in her late 20s. She concluded that by opening her mind to the "hugeness" of God and accepting that He is love helped her to reconcile the two.
"God is a feeling experience and not a believing experience. If your religion is a believing experience…then that's not truly God," she continued to say during the webinar.
Frank Pastore, a Christian radio talk show host on KKLA, was among the many Christian leaders who criticized Oprah's views, saying the two worldviews she discusses are actually irreconcilable.
"If she’s a Christian, she’s an ignorant one, because Christianity is incompatible with New Age thought," Pastore wrote in his commentary on Crosswalk.com.
He went on to list key differences between Christianity and New Age worldviews. In one entry, Pastore said that the meaning of life for Christians is to glorify God while New Age thought showcases enlightenment.
Bill Keller, founder of LivePrayer.com, a internet-based program on faith and values, said he believes Oprah is starting her own cult.
"She has an incredible amount of influence over people and an incredible following," Keller told Celebrity News Service.
"I believe these New Age teachings are like 'spiritual crack' because people are hungry, the teachings satisfy and then they are hungry again," he added.
Keller, who has responded with his YouTube video on the matter, told Celebrity News Service that while many at this point are afraid to challenge Oprah because of her power, he expects more people to begin questioning her teachings over the next six months.
On the Web: The Oprah Church Exposed YouTube Video
Comments
I feel that I must write this, I watched the oprah special webcast and read part of the book, I am a devote christian and I too believe that Jesus is the way to heaven. I think a lot of people have taken this totally out of context. If you read the book carefully - there are many great references to the Bible and how it relates to knowing God closer. The whole premise of the subject was to show people a way to feel closer to God thro more meditation or prayer - which ever you would like to call it. I think everyone has jumped for now reason. The book has taught me to be more tolorant of others and not just to conculsion and pre judge as God and Jeasus would have be do!!! Look deep inside everyone..
No one comes to the Father but threw Christ. Whatever religion we claim to be if we deny Christ we deny salvation.
It is time Christians understood that the writings in the New Testament are not direct words of God. They are mere compilations of what were supposed to be religious experience written well after the religious figures were no longer alive in another continent and in another language. The writings did not take place in Israel (Palestine) and it was not in Hebrew, and was not written in the “First Century”.
It amazes how people when quoting what is assumed to be Paul’s writing, they will say “the Scriptures says” or “ God says”. It is high time we all know that there is only One God. There is no other like Him. Deuteronomy 4:18 “Hear oh people of God, the Lord thy God is one God”
The twisted writings about Jesus in the “New Testament” are all LIES. Live a holy life and be kind to others before your God and you would not be disappointed at the end, instead of relying or trusting the lies in the “New Testament” Stop defending any religion and allow God to truly move in your life and in the life of others.
YOU CANNOT STOP THE TRUTH OF GOD. Start searching the real truth and not depend on your pastor or the false writings of the “New Testament” All men may be liars but God (Not your pastors or church) will remain truthful. God is all and all.
They are, we need to ask Jesus to come into their lives and show himself to them, we shouldn't turn on them because they arn't followers of christ yet...
Why don't we stop calling everyone who isn't Jewish or muslim, christians? Why don't we stop twarting the word of God for the word of man? Its not devaluing anyone or anything because I stand up for what is right. I believe in Good and Evil, absolute Right and Wrong, certain people do not, and because i don't like the actions of those people does not mean that i dislike them or don't respect them. Why must true Christians, those that follow Christ (which I don't believe Oprah does) sacrafice what is truth for the falsity of everyone else...
Slacker, please- please read your Bible again; God clearly says;
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is No other name uder heaven given among men by which we Must be saved.
You can choose to believe in absolute good and evil or right and wrong; You can choose to beileve in the easter bunny or santa; However, those things will not save you.
Scripture clearly says.... But there were false prophets even as there will be false teacher among you who secretly bring in destructive heresies even denying the Lord which bought them and bringing on themselves swift destruction. And Many will follow there Destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetness they will exploit You with deceptive words; for a long time there judgement has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
God has sent people to bring them to the knowlege of salvation; But we are up against formidable opponents. People are captivate by their entertainging flair and cunning words. They do not hear the word of God. But we are still sent because God loves us and does not which any should perish.
John 1:12 - "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God..."
We are all created by God, but until we receive Jesus as our Saviour, we cannot call ourselves children of God.
Hold fast to what we still have...
To aminah "why do we not stop trying to reduce and devalue otehrs for their beliefs and instead try to understand and respect them."
Why don't we stop calling everyone who isn't Jewish or muslim, christians? Why don't we stop twarting the word of God for the word of man? Its not devaluing anyone or anything because I stand up for what is right. I believe in Good and Evil, absolute Right and Wrong, certain people do not, and because i don't like the actions of those people does not mean that i dislike them or don't respect them. Why must true Christians, those that follow Christ (which I don't believe Oprah does) sacrafice what is truth for the falsity of everyone else...
To Holito "But he also believes Jews and Muslims and non-believers who live moral lives are as much “children of God” as he is, according to The Associated Press."
They are, we need to ask Jesus to come into their lives and show himself to them, we shouldn't turn on them because they arn't followers of christ yet...
Like it or not, Oprah has tremendous influence in the WORLD! I have noticed for years now that she was speaking the "new age" language. I decided not to watch her anymore. Even though I choose not to watch her show, many people do, and she is EVERYWHERE! Woe be to her if she doesn't repent and give her life to Jesus! Shey is leading many of His sheep astray. I want to prayt for her... Dear Lord,
It has been brought to light how Oprah is blinded by many false thoughts about how to get to heaven. What is worse, she is telling many this false teaching. Please help to open her spiritual eyes so that she will see the truth! She can do so much good work for your kingdom! Thank You Lord.
In Jesus precious name,
Amen!
I for one will no longer watch her shows, unless she gives her life to Christ. We have a voice through the ratings, What will you do? I will stand for Jesus!
anyone in favor of just turning the channel? We aren't forced to watch her.
"God is a feeling experience and not a believing experience. If your religion is a believing experience…then that's not truly God," she continued to say during the webinar."
How can anyone trust their subjective feelings? Feelings change like the weather and cannot be a compass to determine truth.
She needs much prayer!
"How can there be only one way to heaven or to God?" Oprah asked her audience in a show taped years ago.
Taped years ago?
First Reverand Wright, now Oprah.
I see a trend here, leading towards Obama.
Another way into heaven huh. I remember someone else Oprah is endorsing saying the same thing.
Obama Suggests Jesus Christ Not the Only Way to Heaven:
While answering a question about his Christian faith, Obama said he believes that Jesus Christ died for his sins and through God’s grace and mercy he could have “everlasting life,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
But he also believes Jews and Muslims and non-believers who live moral lives are as much “children of God” as he is, according to The Associated Press.
As an example, he spoke about his late mother who was “not a believer.”
"[S]he was the kindest, most decent, generous person that I have ever known," Obama said, according to the Times. "I'm sure she is in heaven, even though she may not have subscribed to everything that I subscribe to."
Now the Bible says Galatians 6:6-9
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Dont let your Bibles collect dust, it can save your life. These false teachers are so sneaky, they decive even themselves. Ever since i decided to come back to God, I have been attacked by false teachings tring to bring me away. I was raised and taught Christian values by my parents but like many people in my age and generation college "life" (if you can try calling it life) nearly severed everything i had with God. Since my humble return to practicing true christianity i have been constantly bombarded with false teachings, legalists, and doubts and fear. If anyone else has had this same issue i urge you to read your Bible as much as you can, dont follow anyone just because they say they are christian. Im so thankfull for Romans and Ephesians, these books have saved my neck more times than I can count. Spiritual warefare is serious, we need to remeber not to be afraid. Trust the Bible over ANY other book. Try not to decive your selves. Remeber Jesus is the way. no one else, dont be concerned with the end times, have faith and He will rescue us when its time, todays trouble is enough for today, Repent, the Kingdom's at hand.
Truth is a matter of opinion. Did I get your attention with that one? One of the main issues with our society is we are focused on whose right instead of what's right. When each person stands before God at judgment it is God's opinion that will be the truth.
pvlman--there is a special place in hell for anyone who has not driven his/her life to the foot of the cross, gotten out of it, gotten into the life Christ laid down and is not living His life. He died our death--we live His life. Anything else isn't the gospel of Christ. It doesn't matter if you're Oprah or even Billy Graham (who I understand once said the only difference between him and Charles Manson was the grace of God...think about that one for a while!).
In short, pvlman, Jesus said you're either for Him or against Him. He stated what His gospel is many times in the Bible. Anyone who says the gospel is any different is calling Jesus a liar. Anyone who says Jesus changed his mind is ignoring the fulfillment of prophesy and makes cheap His death and resurrection. I guess there would be a special place in hell for that sort of person, eh?
Everyone will find out what the truth of the gospel is. Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. I would encourage each one who reads this to go to Him and find out now.