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The Curious Mystical Text

artappraiser — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 06:35:17 +0000

In reply to Marianne Williamson Wins Debate

The Curious Mystical Text Behind Marianne Williamson’s Presidential Bid

The New Age author was drawn to an esoteric bible in the 1970s. It made her a self-help megastar. And now it has gone mainstream.

By Sam Kestenbaum @ NYTimes.com, July 5

[...] Ms. Williamson’s start had been shaky, but there were some breakout moments. Then her dramatic closing. “Mr. President, if you’re listening, I want you to hear me, please: You have harnessed fear for political purposes, and only love can cast that out.”

She went on, building now: “I’m going to harness love for political purposes. I will meet you on that field. And, sir, love will win.”

It was exactly what her supporters were waiting for. The host sprung up and gave three short shouts. “Woo-woo-woo!”

Ms. Williamson’s debut may have appeared offbeat, a not-so-serious collection of truisms about love. But more was happening here. She was, in fact, drawing directly from a homegrown American holy book called “A Course in Miracles,” a curious New York scripture that arose during the heady metaphysical counterculture of the 1960s.

This is not some homey book of feel-good bromides. Rather, it is taken by its readers as a genuine gospel, produced by a Manhattan doctor who believed she was channeling new revelations from Jesus Christ himself. And stepping into this unusual book’s story, in fact, is the key to understanding Ms. Williamson’s latest venture.

The mystical text has sold millions, been translated into two dozen languages and has attracted fans like Carlos Santana and Beyoncé. Mitch Horowitz, the author of “Occult America,” called the Course one of the “largest and most popular alternative spiritual movements in America.”

“For followers, it holds out a hope that there is a greater world than the one that we are experiencing,” he said, “that illness, emotional torment, fear, self-doubt, prejudice are all simply illusions.” [....]

You have to admit though that

ocean-kat — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 22:44:11 +0000

In reply to What's his thing about

You have to admit though that he has some innovative solutions to the unique problems he believes we face. Who would have thought that having barely pubescent children gang bang their best friend would counter act the bad energy of evil clowns. This is the kind of out side the box thinking we need.

What's his thing about

PeraclesPlease — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 21:56:30 +0000

In reply to Realizing that any best

What's his thing about menstruating women and portraying farm kids as psychopaths? A lot of splainin' to do.

Realizing that any best

ocean-kat — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 21:24:06 +0000

In reply to Marianne Williamson Wins Debate

Realizing that any best selling writer can get enough donations and polling results to qualify for the debates Steven King has just announced he's entering the presidential primary. The focus of his campaign is dealing with the triple threat of murderous clowns, rabid dogs, and haunted hotels and houses.

Been looking for revenge

PeraclesPlease — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 09:27:37 +0000

In reply to Heh. Would kids these days

Been looking for revenge since rmrd said "the hippies failed". Voila. My knightess in shining California armor. Remember when Ronnie in his debate started talking about driving down the coast, looking over the Pacific Ocean, thinking about the future... and never came back? That was her, the Siren of Santa Barbara.

Heh. Would kids these days

artappraiser — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 07:16:13 +0000

In reply to Marianne Williamson Wins Debate

Heh. Would kids these days even get a kumbaya joke if I made one?

Am I remembering correctly, didn't she represent California in an early Wood Allen movie? Or was she one of Warren Beatty's flings in Shampoo? Whatever; I loved that California. Turn on, tune in, drop out. I was actually enjoying happy memories of the early 70's the other night. Might be fun! The MAGA people got their prez, now it's the counterculture's chance before we croak?

Really? I missed that

ocean-kat — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 06:59:55 +0000

In reply to Marianne Williamson Wins Debate

Really? I missed that reference. I guess I kinda zoned out when she was talking. Probably a contact high.