Tom wants Oprah

[aimee]

Tom wants Oprah
From: By Geoffrey Wansell
August 20, 2005

YOU could argue that she is the most influential woman in America, not least because her daily television program reaches into the living room of almost every home in the US.

Television insiders insist she can single-handedly turn books into bestsellers and mere celebrities into megastars. But now, glamorous talk show host Oprah Winfrey has become the target of the controversial Church of Scientology.
The campaign is being led by its most famous disciple, 43-year-old Tom Cruise, who is doing everything in his considerable power to convert her to the cultish faith. Cruise recently bought a house two doors away from Oprah in the glamorous suburb of Santa Barbara, California. The two are close friends. Winfrey regularly sings Cruise’s praises on her show, and it was there that he chose to make his first public declaration of love for his new fiancee, 26-year-old Katie Holmes, in a toe-curling spectacle.

But the wooing of Oprah Winfrey to the Scientology cause has not been left to Cruise alone.

Fellow Scientologist and Pulp Fiction star John Travolta, 51, whom she also repeatedly favours on her television program, recently presented her with a $700,000 Bentley car for her birthday.

Oprah would be a huge catch for the Scientologists, one internet site announced this week, and you can almost see Cruise’s eyes gleaming at the prospect. Another adds: “If Oprah falls into the hands of Scientology, who can tell what influence she might have on the population? The prospect is terrifying.”

entertainment.news.com.au/story/0,10221,16328380-7485,00.html

 

[bapcathluth]

Oprah is an intelligent woman with a mind of her own. If she chooses Scientology, it won’t be because somebody bought her a Bentley. My Gosh, she is one of the richest women in the world. She can buy any car she wants.

 

[aimee]

bapcathluth:

Oprah is an intelligent woman with a mind of her own. If she chooses Scientology, it won’t be because somebody bought her a Bentley. My Gosh, she is one of the richest women in the world. She can buy any car she wants.

Its not the car…its scientology and I thought they were ‘courting’ her…Oprah is smart but seems to be close to Cruise and Trovolta…they are on her show a lot…they won’t get to her through ‘gifts’ but perhaps another way…?

 

[Catholic_Heart]

Although I don’t watch the Oprah show anymore, I beleive her to be a strong woman, who as a mind of her own…I don’t think anyone could talk her into doing anything she really did not want to do or believe in. So…Don’t worry…

 

[TPJCatholic]

It has a lot to do with whether or not she has a strong faith already…if she is open to becoming part of a religion, then who knows…we should pray for her and for all people who are currently in that false religion.

 

[aimee]

Good responses…scientology concerns me…but prayer is always right

 

[DIT]

aimee:

Tom wants Oprah
From: By Geoffrey Wansell
August 20, 2005

YOU could argue that she is the most influential woman in America, not least because her daily television program reaches into the living room of almost every home in the US.

Television insiders insist she can single-handedly turn books into bestsellers and mere celebrities into megastars. But now, glamorous talk show host Oprah Winfrey has become the target of the controversial Church of Scientology.
The campaign is being led by its most famous disciple, 43-year-old Tom Cruise, who is doing everything in his considerable power to convert her to the cultish faith. Cruise recently bought a house two doors away from Oprah in the glamorous suburb of Santa Barbara, California. The two are close friends. Winfrey regularly sings Cruise’s praises on her show, and it was there that he chose to make his first public declaration of love for his new fiancee, 26-year-old Katie Holmes, in a toe-curling spectacle.

But the wooing of Oprah Winfrey to the Scientology cause has not been left to Cruise alone.

Fellow Scientologist and Pulp Fiction star John Travolta, 51, whom she also repeatedly favours on her television program, recently presented her with a $700,000 Bentley car for her birthday.

Oprah would be a huge catch for the Scientologists, one internet site announced this week, and you can almost see Cruise’s eyes gleaming at the prospect. Another adds: “If Oprah falls into the hands of Scientology, who can tell what influence she might have on the population? The prospect is terrifying.”

entertainment.news.com.au/story/0,10221,16328380-7485,00.html

How do you know that Oprah is not secretly promoting Scientology by her relationships with Cruise and Travolta? It is not to far fetched to believe that the Scientologists provided the $700K car to Mr. Travolta to give to Oprah, but I agree that Oprah could have afford to buy that car multiple times on her own. But maybe it was payment for her promoting Mr. Cruise’s relationship to the former catholic Holmes or maybe it is payment for putting a positive spin on Scientology. CONSPIRACY THEORISTS UNITE ! ! !

Who really cares?

Oprah has a tremendous affect on people’s daily lives and if she was to become a mouth piece for Scientology, she could affect their membership. But that is the sad part of our existence and mindset in the US. We actually care what people like Oprah, Cruise, or Travolta say or do. We give people like this hero status. I am not downplaying the fact that they are good actors and talk show hosts and some of them have helped out many people with their money and talents - but NONE of them are heros to the extent that we should hang on their every word.

I give a lot of credit to Oprah in that she was an african-american women who broke through a typically white Chicago television market and went on to great success. Her hard work and determination does make her a role model for people to look to how to succeed. But, I am not going to change my faith on what Oprah Winfrey says or does.

How weak must an individual be to make decisions on religion based on what a celebrity says. What basis of faith does a celebrity hold? In the US, this does not surprise me. Wake up people. http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon9.gif Scientology is the least of our worries.

Our Catholic faith (our church and our religion) is based on so much more than this. Our belief is that Jesus is the Son of God and that through Jesus’ example, we must do what is right and strive to love and give witness to this love. We do this so that one day we can be with our Father in heaven. It is really pretty simple. Our church is (or in some cases should be) all about love. We get this through the sacraments. We get this through the community in our parishes. We get this through living the example of Christ. http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon11.gif

 

[siamesecat]

aimee:

Tom wants Oprah
From: By Geoffrey Wansell
August 20, 2005

YOU could argue that she is the most influential woman in America, not least because her daily television program reaches into the living room of almost every home in the US.

Television insiders insist she can single-handedly turn books into bestsellers and mere celebrities into megastars. But now, glamorous talk show host Oprah Winfrey has become the target of the controversial Church of Scientology.
The campaign is being led by its most famous disciple, 43-year-old Tom Cruise, who is doing everything in his considerable power to convert her to the cultish faith. Cruise recently bought a house two doors away from Oprah in the glamorous suburb of Santa Barbara, California. The two are close friends. Winfrey regularly sings Cruise’s praises on her show, and it was there that he chose to make his first public declaration of love for his new fiancee, 26-year-old Katie Holmes, in a toe-curling spectacle.

But the wooing of Oprah Winfrey to the Scientology cause has not been left to Cruise alone.

Fellow Scientologist and Pulp Fiction star John Travolta, 51, whom she also repeatedly favours on her television program, recently presented her with a $700,000 Bentley car for her birthday.

Oprah would be a huge catch for the Scientologists, one internet site announced this week, and you can almost see Cruise’s eyes gleaming at the prospect. Another adds: “If Oprah falls into the hands of Scientology, who can tell what influence she might have on the population? The prospect is terrifying.”

entertainment.news.com.au/story/0,10221,16328380-7485,00.html

It does kinda freak me out how close she is with Tom Cruise and John Travolta, but Oprah is definately not easily swayed.

 

[DIT]

On a side note, I heard a parish member say today - “We need to focus on the most important threat to Christianity and our church: The Muslim Holy War against everything that is not muslim. People need to get their heads out of the sand and understand that this is happening.”

I admit that at first I blew off the comment because it came from an ex-military friend of mine who, while well meaning, can hit the panic button quickly. But then I thought about it and said that their is some weight to it. Maybe we should focus on that.

I was wondering if a poll exists on this website to see what others believe are the perceived threats to Christianity (including Catholism). http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon5.gif

 

[Zooey]

Oprah has also had other scientologists on the show lately. Priscilla Presley & Lisa Marie Presley come to mind…
A friend & I were commenting on this not that long ago, that the Oprah show was becoming the celebrity scientologist show…She also has a home very near the big center of the whole cult, in Florida.
I have been concerned about Oprah for some time. Yes, she is a strong woman, but she is also a woman who seems to be searching for something, I mean spiritually searching. That she has no particular faith that can be identified as anything other than New-aget-feel-good, makes the whole thing very troubling.
The lady needs prayer, folks! She has it all, materially, but she is the kind of person that would be, IMHO, prime pickings for a cult. The fact that she has a lot of money just goes to show why they might very well be anxious to get hold of her.

 

[Peace-bwu]

DIT:

On a side note, I heard a parish member say today - “We need to focus on the most important threat to Christianity and our church: The Muslim Holy War against everything that is not muslim. People need to get their heads out of the sand and understand that this is happening.”

I admit that at first I blew off the comment because it came from an ex-military friend of mine who, while well meaning, can hit the panic button quickly. But then I thought about it and said that their is some weight to it. Maybe we should focus on that.

I was wondering if a poll exists on this website to see what others believe are the perceived threats to Christianity (including Catholism). http://forums.catholic-questions.org/images/icons/icon5.gif

Sorta…
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=641

this is one on noncatholic religions, that asks “who is taking the most Catholics” and has been a popular thead for a long time. I think I remember another thread that begins with the exact question you posed.

 

[Peace-bwu]

I haven’t watched Oprah since 1995 when she had a show praising the great book “Bridges of Madison County.” I was in college and thought it would be nice to read a little fiction that wasn’t assigned.

Worst Book I EVER read.

I haven’t watched Oprah since.

I also think DR Phill whom she promoted to the level of guru, is cheesy and his devoted following makes me wanna hurl. He always states the obvious… how inspired… NOT !

Just my humble two cents.

There is a new song called “What if His People Prayed” by the Christian Band “Casting Crowns” which sums up my thoughts on Oprah.

Lyrics: Mark Hall

What if the armies of the Lord
Picked up and dusted off their swords
***Vowed to set the captives free ***
and not let satan have one more

What if the church, for heaven’s sake
Finally stepped up to the plate
Took a stand upon God’s promise
And stormed hell’s rusty gates

What if His people prayed
And those who bare His name
Would humbly seek His face
And turn from their own way

And what would happen if we prayed
For those raised up to lead the way
Then maybe kids in school could pray
And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we persue
Came from a hunger for the truth
What if the family turned to Jesus
Stopped asking Oprah what to do

***He said they would hear ***
His promise has been made
He’ll answer loud and clear
If only we would pray

If My people call my name
***If they’ll humble themselves and pray ***
If My people called by My name
IF they’ll humble themselves and pray…

It isn’t by a Catholic artist, but a very good song. So when it says “church for heaven’s sake stepped up to the plate” he isn’t referring to the Catholic Church. I feel the CC steps up to the plate rather powerfully, if only we could all live up to God’s promise… I am humbly trying.

 

[deaconswife]

Actually, I could see Oprah being open to a group like Scientology. While she may be a strong woman she appears to be searching for “spirituality” apart from her roots in Christianity. Years ago she was actively promoting Marianne Williamson and her new age book Return to Love: A Reflection on the Principles in A Course on Miracles. When Ms Williamson was no longer fashionable she turned to promoting Suze Orman whose financial advice is fine, but she held some off the wall ideas about the spiritual life. Lastly, lets not forget her promoting Gary Zukav, a brilliant physicist, but a peddlar of new age claptrap in his book The Seat of the Soul, which thanks to Oprah became a national best seller. I pray that she returns to her Christian roots as she appears to wield some influence over some people in this country.

 

[ShroudMan]

If Oprah became a Scientologist it would be nothing more than a “lateral shift” in faith… she has displayed a gradual departure from Christianity and slow dissent into New Age spirituality over the last 15 years. Anyone who has watched her show on a regular basis could see that. The woman is already lost as far as religion goes.

She has promoted the book “A Course in Miracles”

She has promoted sitting in a darkened room and chanting in front of a mirror to see dead people

She has promoted homosexuals to come out on her show to their parents watching at home … aint that nice

I watched one show years ago where a gay man was in tears saying he struggles to be celibate because thats what he believes Christ in the bible wants…Oprah Winfrey became ANGRY and SCORNED him for DENYING his TRUE SELF…as usual her syncophantic audience burst out in applause.

As far is this goes…at LEAST Scientology looks down on the practice of homosexuality and attempts to keep the follower from falling into this lifestyle.

Plus a ton of other stuff…shes a NEW AGE diva… worry about Oprah at this point spreading bunk more so than Madonna.

 

[goravens]

deaconswife:

Actually, I could see Oprah being open to a group like Scientology. While she may be a strong woman she appears to be searching for “spirituality” apart from her roots in Christianity. Years ago she was actively promoting Marianne Williamson and her new age book Return to Love: A Reflection on the Principles in A Course on Miracles. When Ms Williamson was no longer fashionable she turned to promoting Suze Orman whose financial advice is fine, but she held some off the wall ideas about the spiritual life. Lastly, lets not forget her promoting Gary Zukav, a brilliant physicist, but a peddlar of new age claptrap in his book The Seat of the Soul, which thanks to Oprah became a national best seller. I pray that she returns to her Christian roots as she appears to wield some influence over some people in this country.

I agree…I enjoy watching Oprah occasionally as she has some interesting topics. She also has a love of people and seems to be genuinely interested in helping. But, this whole Oprah “spirituality” concerns me - that as long as we practice kindness and treat others well, what we do in our private lives does not matter. Whether in that regard she’s a product of our society, or simply reinforces the beliefs of many in our society, I don’t know. But I think it’s very dangerous ground. Niceness and tolerance are not the cardinal virtues.

 

[Courtneyjo]

Did you ever see the April 1 edition of BeliefNet? It was something like, “Oprah Winfrey now part of the Holy Trinity, now called the QuadHead” and the dateline was Vatican City. It took some people a bit to realize it was an April Fools’ joke.

Oprah has been into New Ageism for years. She “channeled” the spirit of a slave to get into character for a movie role. Her guests speak for themselves. Although she may sincerely want to help people, she has such a great influence, such power, that she can be very spiritually dangerous, which is why I rarely watch her.

As for Dr. Phil, I agree that he often states the obvious, but some folks need the obvious stated, over and over again.