Oprah Article Draws Reactions from Readers

Yesterday's article from Steve Sjogren about Oprah Winfrey has some interesting reactions from our readers:



Dear CR Editor

I Cannot understand why a Christian Internet news source such as Church Report, continues to run commentary by Steve Sjogren?

Mr. Sjogren is so out of step with the 'Christian World View,' that I have ignored his rantings for the past year. But when Mr. Sjogren tries to sell Oprah as the Queen of Kindness and even suggest that her Anti-Christian pied Piper, 'New Spiritualism' should be followed, I must call out for an explanation.

Oprah is on a mission to lead anyone who is weak minded enough, from Jesus and into believing that, through Spiritualism an individual can save their self!

If your site was known to be radically liberal, I would feel that Mr Sjogren has a right to his misguided views, because people would consider the source. But for a Christian website, (your are Christian, aren't you?) to run commentary that glorifies and promotes the diva of deception (Oprah) as someone to be trusted and followed is beyond the pale.

If it were not for telling on your self, this heresy would make a good CR article.

If you have an answer for me, I would appreciate your attempt to help me see some sense in the madness of Mr. Sjogren's mindless commentary.


Howard Wilson Pittsburg, TX





Regarding the article entitled Oprah: A Catalyst for Kindness by Steve Sjogren, I'm surprised to see anyone from a faith-based perspective finding anything good to say about Oprah Winfrey these days. I had high hopes for The Big Give -- until I saw the show. They've taken what could have been a great way to showcase the inherent joy to be found in performing random acts of kindness and turned it into a show which is primarily focused on the competition instead of the compassion. In the process, they've tainted it with the stench of today's reality shows. What I see is yet another show that is too preoccupied with satisfying people's seemingly unquenchable thirst for watching interpersonal conflict on TV to bother with celebrating the innate good in giving. Her show seems aimed at satisfying the same lust for conflict that has made shows like MTVs Real World, Cheaters, The Apprentice, The Bachelor a fixture in today's pop culture. We love to watch people in defeat.


I know that Steve's article was making a good point about "kindness" and probably wasn't intended to be an endorsement of Oprah Winfrey, per se, but I would urge anyone wanting to send a Christ-centered message to people of faith to simply leave Oprah (and her shows) out of the conversation all together. Her new age spirituality is so twisted that it qualifies her for the "false prophet" label the Bible gives to such mongers of lies.

Gary Wood
Omaha, NE




Steve Sjogren responds:



Response from Steve Sjogren re the article that mentioned Oprah:
It might be helpful to mention the article that ran in Church Report was a re-print of what originally went into an online piece directed toward not-yet believers or a readership who are mainly skeptical about the institution of the church - though not necessarily about Jesus, the scriptures.
There are only so many matters that can be addressed in a short article (in this case 850 words max).
The one common matter between the skeptics and me was their interest in changing the world. Frankly, this group of 20somethings is very interested in changing the world by tapping into the power of kindness. There is great interest in looking into God's kindness by these folks.
I share the concern expressed by both writers... IF the suggestions made were so... that I was endorsing Oprah in any way. That is not accurate in the least. There are hundreds of my written and verbal messages floating around on the internet (or have been posted at one time) where I clarify similar thoughts each writer did about Oprah. Actually there are scads of matters about the way this show was done no one mentioned I have a difficult time with (again, if I had several thousand words I'd go into it with delight for those interested... Keep in mind, I've been pioneering this stuff for 27 years and doing it all over the world...)
In a nation whose religion is syncretism ('It doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere' AND 'Just don't get in my face' AND 'Never ever imply your way is the exclusive approach to God...')
- it is no surprise that Oprah and others similar to her are in the limelight right now. She affirms the wishywashy nothingness of New Age thinking.
If I were saying what each writer was suggesting about Oprah - supporting her stance on any spiritual / 'quasi' spiritual matter, yes, that would be a huge problem. That that was not stated nor was that point even tacitly made. To one responder, passion is a wonderful thing, but when words are put in quotes, there is an implication that came from something in my writing. "Rantings"? - yes sir. Just not from me in this case.
The greater question I am consistently raising in articles wherever they appear is "Do you care about reaching these people who don't get it, OR are you okay with your present stance - standing on the sidelines as a critic and warning your friends about what they probably already know in Texas?" I stood on the sidelines as a world class warner - wrote articles galore - and accomplished pretty much nothing.
What I do is pretty much necessarily a polarizing thing.
It's a "Jump on board - go for it - armpits and elbows - we're burning daylight" OR, it's "Steve Sjogren is ranting again!" There isn't much in-between here.
Join with me and my co-conspirators, or find the stick matches, gasoline and silence all of this.





Steve Sjogren
Primary Coach, The Kindness Partnership



From the Editor:

Howard, first, I am glad to see from reading your note that you are a regular. Please sign up for a subscription as the freebies expire in 2 weeks.

Steve Sjogren is a world-reknowned evangelism expert. He has traveled the world sharing the Gospel preaching one simple lesson- serve others. Your attack on Steve was beyond the pale.


Howard and Gary, with that said, Oprah is a radical, I don't like her, I don't watch her television show(s) and I don't support her views. However I never tell my contributors and analysts what to write, or else you can read the dribble day after day just like any other rag.

I encourage my writers to be free with their opinions, and I equally encourage my paid subscribers to send me their comments.