By the way, was being sarcastic about ACIM. Most people only read a few pages, and then just trance out, and don't bother with it. Its highly unreadable. But can be used by various groups for that reason. Can't say that its "brainwashing" though, in the technical sense. But it is certainly used in thought reform, and new age manipulation systems as "content".
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

No, if you read the ACIM and start to believe it, you will get more and more passive, and spaced-out. Most people can't read the dang thing, it just puts you in a trance from page one, and its a huge book, designed to look like a bible in some publications. Of course, the Miracles stuff is somewhat concealed, they do a lot of dancing around it. But its better to just cut to the chase.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

The A Course in Miracles book, beyond the New Age "peace of mind" thing, is new Age Christ Consciousness stuff. That means they tell you that you can ultimately learn to have the miracle powers of Jesus, and all that kinda stuff, walk on water, materialize some fishes and loaves, heal the sick, raise the dead) How do you do it? Believe you can real hard! Doesn't work? Then ta
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Oprah is really being very harshly criticized for all this stuff, especially her embracing of Cruise Scientology without any questions. But you get the sense at this point she does not care. I guess we will all find out sooner or later if she is following some Guru who has yet been revealed, ACIM, or maybe if she is going to be her own Guru. It really is a very ugly turn. But as they say
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

Great post, DTE. Ego-Death is completely ridiculous in the modern world. If you are a monk in a cave, or a rich New Age Guru who likes to play-act...then fine. But the rest of us mortals would like to keep our wonderful Minds which are a miracle of Evolution. The human mind is a fantastic thing, its not the enemy. Its possible Tolle's mental illness which was driving him to suicide,
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

DownToEarth, have you read the threads here about The Secret? THE SECRET thread There are also threads about A Course In Miracles...ACIM. ACIM is just ridiculous, I had that book years ago. There are also threads here about Abraham-Hicks. The Hicks are just old-fashioned carnival barkers, out to make money money money. Its interesting that Oprah has said the public isn'
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Oprah has promoted "A Course In Miracles" for a long time, and I have seen posts here about ACIM. Here's a search. Oprah will probably be doing radio LGAT courses on The Secret soon, if not already. And maybe Scientology next week too. I don't really see any evidence that Oprah believes any of these things are anything other than desirable and profitable.
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups