Comments on: Elizabeth Gilbert, Rhonda Byne, Oprah and Christians (no, this is not a really bad joke)

By: Sabrina

Sabrina — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 19:47:31 +0000

Maybe as I am becoming Eastern Orthodox I should write a book similar to Eat Pray Love. I’ll call it Fast Chant Sublimate LOL

By: Hiya

Hiya — Fri, 29 May 2009 18:47:33 +0000

I just found this post..very interesting. Well, I have read Eat, Pray, and Love in addition to A New Earth. These books lead people away from Christ by basing their books on Christ-like principles and forming religions out of meditations and positive thinking. At first, I thought these books were wonderful, but what’s really going on here is that the books claim no particular religion, it embraces them all and that is very clever. Also, the Bible discusses meditating on the Word of the Lord. It does not say let your mind go blank. Never in history have “Christians” claimed that other religions can lead to God. If you’re a true Christian then you believe that Jesus is the Messiah and that means that you accept no other gospel or embrace other doctrines. Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and you CANNOT enter into the kingdom of heaven except by Him. I think that’s pretty clear.

By: The Oprah question | Paper Bridges

The Oprah question | Paper Bridges — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:42:59 +0000

[...] here. As my regular readers know, I’ve written about Oprah before. You can find that post here if you have yet to read [...]

By: anna

anna — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 10:43:25 +0000

what is wrong with some of you people! what type of christians are you. saying “how can Oprah be playing a dangerous game by promoting the secret and new age books like eat pray love” what is wrong in believing in one GOD! How many rich christians do you know, donate as much money as Oprah to poor people and help, the right way! People just sent it to a minister who just buys things for himself, with the money you phone in, so God can cure their needs, and with your hard earned money, they can live in luxury, Oprah works for her money and she doesn’t have to give it away, but she does because she belives in GOD and mankind. l am Italian and also believe in God, the Virgin Mary, Jesus and all the saints and pray every night for my family and friends and l read the book, and found it comforting to read how she overcome her pain, naturally and found God her way. Everyone should be happy Elizabeth found God, she is not telling you to worship the devil! people who post their hateful comment, should pray more for themselves. I am sure half of you christians are self medicated and doing nothing to heal your soul. Just complaining about other peoples goodness. Thankgod Barack Obama won, l prayed for a good person to lead your country. God bless the world it needs a lot of help.

By: Addressing a reader’s comment on home schooling | Paper Bridges

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By: Does the book Eat, Pray, Love preach Christ? | Paper Bridges

Does the book Eat, Pray, Love preach Christ? | Paper Bridges — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:02:55 +0000

[...] are still coming in on this post about Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by [...]

By: Monica Brand

Monica Brand — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:48:29 +0000

Adam, thanks for taking the time to comment. I agree with you – to a degree. Looks like I need to write another post about this.

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 03:08:44 +0000

Seriously anyone who thinks Gilbert is trying to lead people away from Christianity has not discovered God themselves. I think deep prayer and mediation is how one connects to God and builds a relationship with him and it’s how God can change peoples lives. Just because someone doesn’t say that you have to accept Christ doesn’t make it bad. She is teaching people how to connect to God that may not have normally discovered him and I in no way see how that is not Christlike, it is very Christ like and her book has done a world of good in showing me how I can connect to God on a deeper level.

Christ allows me to return to God and prayer and mediation allow me to connect to God and build a relationship with him. It makes me mad when people attack stuff that can help improve people’s lives just because it doesn’t fit there narrow point of view of how things are.

By: Care

Care — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 13:15:27 +0000

Wow. See? Howard’s comment scares the $&*^%^* out of this Christian. Jennifer and Ann sound like the loving Christian’s I prefer to have on this planet.

It’s funny, all this talk about non-C’s not acting Christian but the Bible I read shows a Jesus full of love and compassion and willingness to meet, greet and talk with non-Cs. I’ve been reading all your posts and most of the comments seem to be from labels “C”s who are acting very NON-C, in my opine.

Also, always shocks you all when non-C’s actually act MORE Christianlike than most high-and-mighties, doesn’t it? I consider myself a Christian but you all probably wouldn’t agree with my definition (and I’m perfectly alright if you want to pray for my soul.)

I found many interesting points to the Secret as validation and layering to many tenets of the Christian faith and I loved Eat,Pray,Love. Gilbert doesn’t bother me, I don’t believe she is trying to pull people away from Christianity. Worry about your own souls, stop dictating everyone’s else ‘SHOULDS’.

By: Howard

Howard — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:12:20 +0000

OPRAH … from spending several years in Jeremiah Wright’s anti-American racist church, listening to sermons like “God Damn America”, and giving life time achievement awards to the likes of Louis Farrakhan … to her newest opportunistic religious beliefs … who could possibly take Oprah seriously? This woman’s ego is soooo big, being a billionaire celebrity isn’t enough, she has to start her own religion … not to mention all the additional money she is going to make selling all those book, tapes, CD’s, etc. to her poor followers. Oprah’s new power hungry ambitions include efforts to replace traditional America with Obama … and access to a President she puts into office … to her efforts at replacing Christianity with a new religion she controls. I think it’s time for America to deny Oprah access to our television sets.

By: Ann

Ann — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:09:39 +0000

Regarding the comments of the Secret, I read the book and I found it interesting, however this does not mean I am going to walk away from my Christian beliefs nor will I seek guidance from this book. If your faith is strong then no book or DVD will lead you astray. If you’re a weak person in your faith and beliefs then anything you read or see on TV will lead you astray. You cant point the finger to the Book the Secret, just put the News on and you’ll see and hear why so many people are going in the wrong direction, it’s not because of this book. I guess so many people that don’t know who or what to blame find it easy to blame the books people read. There is no one holding a gun to your head making you read any of the books that are out there. I find it hard for any Christian to make negative comments about books people are reading, you should first look at yourself to see if maybe your lacking faith because you should know better then thinking books have anything to do with why people are needing to search other means for guidance it’s not because of any book it’s because the devil is out there to destroy, but if YOUR FAITH IS STRONG NO ONE CAN DISTROY YOUR JOY!

P.S.
You maybe asking why I read the book, its because I can then speak to people and let them know if you are seeking guidance then I have a great book for you to read (The Bible).
And for those none believers that’s your choice to seek your truth.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 03:38:05 +0000

Hey there,

I just happened to stumble on here and loved the post. I am not sure what makes people think that non-believers would ever act like Jesus. It is so frustrating to me!
About Eat,Pray,Love. I loved it! Sure she was way off spiritually and hearing about all of her different experiences got a little old, but God has used this book to teach me so much about Him. I am making my husband read it. She (Elizabeth Gilbert) is a great writer.
I also really like Oprah and her show and have learned a lot from it too. I don’t expect her to be perfect or Christlike even though I am still holding out hope of her salvation. I think if you are going to watch TV, which I don’t very often, it may as well be a very well produced show, and educational. I love all of the show about social justice and I also LOVE Dr. Oz! But, like you said if it’s a show about something I don’t care about or don’t agree with I just don’t watch that day. It’s pretty simple.

That’s just my opinion…=)

By: Monica Brand

Monica Brand — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:10:36 +0000

thanks, Christina. I completely agree.

By: Christina

Christina — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 14:25:58 +0000

Amen… amen… AMEN!!!

Christinas last blog post..A Healthy Treat…

By: Christy

Christy — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:03:45 +0000

I completely agree about not being surprised when non-Christians act like non-C’s. I was never an Oprah fan, so it was no big deal, but I do know some women who feel…betrayed, I guess. Which I also find silly since it’s not like she was their personal friend!

Christys last blog post..Win Cold Stone for One Cool Post!

By: Adventures In Babywearing

Adventures In Babywearing — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:31:29 +0000

I couldn’t agree with you more! I wrote something similar here: http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com/2008/04/pedestal.html
when the whole Miley Cyrus thing went down. Christians can forward emails and complain and whine about all those things that just aren’t right with this world, or they can see that apparently this world is seeking and searching for answers- and they need love and understanding. They need us to help show them the Way. Not beat them down for where they are now.

Steph

Adventures In Babywearings last blog post..The Spoons Are Winning

By: Monica Brand

Monica Brand — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:14:05 +0000

Laura, thanks for your comment and nice words. Stirring is good.

Christians should recognize false teachings, IMHO, and not be so easily swayed.

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:54:49 +0000

I like this post…and you touched on something that has poked at me for a while…that non-Christians WILL act like non-Christians…and we have to stop expecting them to behave otherwise.

I have never been a fan of Oprah, and really don’t watch TV at all, if I can help it. (okay, so I make exceptions for HGTV)…but the concern I have is that she is leading Christians astray.

Great post! Definitely stirred up the thinker!!

Lauras last blog post..Memories (installment 22)

By: Monica Brand

Monica Brand — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:18:51 +0000

Okay, Jen. I know you’re not the only one interested. I’m reading other things right now, but when I get the chance I’ll reread and report back here. I’d like to hear more about your response to the book too.

By: Jennifer, Snapshot

Jennifer, Snapshot — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:29:13 +0000

I just re-read that book for a book club meeting. I loved the book. I loved her writing and her openness. I didn’t love her religion of self, but I would be lying if I said that my own personal faithwalk (following Christ) wasn’t affected by reading about her own pursuit.

I would love to hear your thoughts on her religion as portrayed in the book and how you think it affects the book overall.