Neale Donald Walsch and Conversations with God
Warren B. Smith
Excerpted from False Christ Coming: Does Anybody Care? pp. 35-40
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
—2 Timothy 4:3-4
IN 1992, Neale Donald Walsch, a disillusioned and distraught former radio talk show host, public relations professional, and longtime metaphysical seeker, sat down one night and wrote God an angry letter.1 He was amazed when “God” immediately answered his letter by speaking to him through an inner voice. That night, and in subsequent conversations, Walsch wrote down all of the dictated answers to his questions. The dictation continued for several years.2 Walsch’s Conversations with God: Book 1 was published in 1995 and became the first in a series of best-selling Conversations with God books. It seemed that in Walsch “God” had found yet another willing channel for his New Age/New Gospel teachings.
In a style reminiscent of John Denver and George Burns in the movie Oh, God! , Walsch and “God” present a more “down home” version of the same New Age Gospel teachings that were conveyed through previous “inner voice” dictations to Helen Schucman and Barbara Marx Hubbard. With Walsch playing the role of devil’s advocate, “God” cleverly plays off of Walsch’s leading questions and comments. Walsch and “God” come across in these conversations as a couple of “everyday Joe’s” who systematically dismantle biblical Christianity with their straight-from-the-source, “spiritually correct” teachings. With the assurance of two foxes now in control of the hen house, they emphatically assert that the New Gospel is from God and that the “Old Gospel” is not.
Delighted by the fact that they are being taken seriously by millions of readers, “God” and Walsch appear to thoroughly enjoy their process of bringing the public up to spiritual speed. Continuing to build upon the foundation of New Age teachings already introduced through Schucman, Hubbard, and others, “God” and Walsch add some special twists of their own to the New Gospel story. Using Walsch as the straight man, “God” introduces many of his more extreme teachings with smug, authoritative statements such as: “There are no such things as the Ten Commandments,”3 “So who said Jesus was perfect?,”4 and “ Hitler went to heaven.”5
In a style reminiscent of John Denver and George Burns in the movie Oh, God! , Walsch and “God” present a more “down home” version of the same New Age Gospel teachings that were conveyed through previous “inner voice” dictations to Helen Schucman and Barbara Marx Hubbard. With Walsch playing the role of devil’s advocate, “God” cleverly plays off of Walsch’s leading questions and comments. Walsch and “God” come across in these conversations as a couple of “everyday Joe’s” who systematically dismantle biblical Christianity with their straight-from-the-source, “spiritually correct” teachings. With the assurance of two foxes now in control of the hen house, they emphatically assert that the New Gospel is from God and that the “Old Gospel” is not.
Delighted by the fact that they are being taken seriously by millions of readers, “God” and Walsch appear to thoroughly enjoy their process of bringing the public up to spiritual speed. Continuing to build upon the foundation of New Age teachings already introduced through Schucman, Hubbard, and others, “God” and Walsch add some special twists of their own to the New Gospel story. Using Walsch as the straight man, “God” introduces many of his more extreme teachings with smug, authoritative statements such as: “There are no such things as the Ten Commandments,”3 “So who said Jesus was perfect?,”4 and “ Hitler went to heaven.”5
GLORIFICATION OF DEATH
WALSCH’S “God” makes a number of other provocative statements about Hitler. The net effect is a minimization of Hitler’s actions and an obvious glorification of death. The following are two of “God’s” comments about Hitler and death.
WALSCH’S “God” makes a number of other provocative statements about Hitler. The net effect is a minimization of Hitler’s actions and an obvious glorification of death. The following are two of “God’s” comments about Hitler and death.
So the first thing you have to understand—as I’ve already explained to you—is that Hitler didn’t hurt anyone. In a sense, he didn’t inflict suffering, he ended it.6
I tell you this, at the moment of your death you will realize the greatest freedom, the greatest peace, the greatest joy, and the greatest love you have ever known. Shall we therefore punish Bre’r Fox for throwing Bre’r Rabbit into the briar patch?7
Walsch, always the public relations man, anticipates reader incredulity at statements like these by expressing apparent surprise and then asking “God” questions that the skeptical reader would probably ask. But in his process of seeming to challenge “God”—which he does with considerable skill—Walsch actually enables “God” to further expound upon and reinforce the thoughts and ideas of his teachings. Not surprisingly, Walsch always seems to come around to “God’s” point of view. Even to some of his more extreme views about death and Adolf Hitler.
In his book titled Questions and Answers on Conversations with God, Walsch addresses reader concerns about the comments that “God” makes about Hitler and death. One of Walsch’s statements of justification is:
In his book titled Questions and Answers on Conversations with God, Walsch addresses reader concerns about the comments that “God” makes about Hitler and death. One of Walsch’s statements of justification is:
Yet while the books do state that life is eternal, that death is nothing to fear, and that returning to God is joyful, I do not believe that any reasonable interpretation of the material could fairly portray God as condoning the killing of human beings—or brushing it off as if it were of no importance or consequence.8
But Walsch does not address the fact that he and other Global Renaissance Alliance board members recommended Barbara Marx Hubbard’s book, The Revelation, in which her “Christ” clearly describes a “ selection process” that will result in the “second death” of all those who refuse to subscribe to his New Age/New Gospel/New Spirituality.9
HUMANITY IS “GOD”
AT one point in their “conversation,” Walsch’s “God” develops the idea that man is not subject to God because man is God. His “God” explains that there are no rules and there is no right nor wrong because man, as God, is his own “rule-maker.” Walsch’s “God” contends that because God and humanity are one, it is therefore up to humanity to determine what God wants to do. If humanity wants to make up a new set of rules this late in the game, humanity can do that because it was humanity, as God, that devised the original rules in the first place. Everything is relative. Everything is up to the prevailing majority. Therefore, because humanity is God, humanity can create whatever rules and whatever future it wants. For example, “God” tells Walsch:
AT one point in their “conversation,” Walsch’s “God” develops the idea that man is not subject to God because man is God. His “God” explains that there are no rules and there is no right nor wrong because man, as God, is his own “rule-maker.” Walsch’s “God” contends that because God and humanity are one, it is therefore up to humanity to determine what God wants to do. If humanity wants to make up a new set of rules this late in the game, humanity can do that because it was humanity, as God, that devised the original rules in the first place. Everything is relative. Everything is up to the prevailing majority. Therefore, because humanity is God, humanity can create whatever rules and whatever future it wants. For example, “God” tells Walsch:
All of your life you have been told that God created you. I come now to tell you this: You are creating God.10
You are your own rule-maker.11
Think, speak, and act as the God You Are.12
Your future is creatable. Create it as you want it.13
Create the grandest version of the greatest vision you ever had about yourselves as a human race.14
“Conscious evolution,” or the process of mankind consciously exercising its authority as “God” to create its own future, is the title of one of Barbara Marx Hubbard’s books. “God” tells Walsch he gave Hubbard the title of the book. Walsch’s “God” also takes credit for inspiring A Course in Miracles:
“God”: This is called conscious evolution, and your species has just arrived there.
Walsch: Wow, that’s an incredible insight. That’s why You gave Barbara Marx Hubbard that book! As I said, she actually called it Conscious Evolution.
“God”: Of course she did. I told her to.15
““God”: All attack is a call for help.
Walsch: I read that in A Course in Miracles.
“God”: I put it there.16
“God” makes it clear to Walsch that his modern-day “revelation” is for all those who have never really understood his teachings about man being God. As he was with Helen Schucman and Barbara Marx Hubbard, “God” is indirectly critical of Bible-believing Christians who insist that sin is real and that man is not God. Walsch’s “God” contends that the only real “ sin” is for man to see himself as sinful and “separate” from God. His “God” says that the only “devil” or “ Satan” is the separatist thinking that differentiates between man and God. Echoing A Course in Miracles, Walsch’s “God” states that only as humanity sees through the illusion of “separation” and “sin” and affirms its own godliness and oneness with all creation, will the planet be saved from ultimate ruin.
NEW AGE/NEW GOSPEL POLITICS
WALSCH’S “God” warns that in the near future people will have to make a choice between the “old” and “new” gospels. The choice they make will have great bearing on the future of mankind. His “God” declares that humanity, by collectively imagining and envisioning its highest hopes and dreams, can consciously create a positive future. “God” expresses great optimism that this New Age Spirituality will prevail and tells Walsch that humanity is standing on the threshold of a “golden” New Age.
WALSCH’S “God” warns that in the near future people will have to make a choice between the “old” and “new” gospels. The choice they make will have great bearing on the future of mankind. His “God” declares that humanity, by collectively imagining and envisioning its highest hopes and dreams, can consciously create a positive future. “God” expresses great optimism that this New Age Spirituality will prevail and tells Walsch that humanity is standing on the threshold of a “golden” New Age.
The twenty-first century will be the time of awakening, of meeting The Creator Within. Many beings will experience Oneness with God and with all of life. This will be the beginning of the golden age of the New Human, of which it has been written; the time of the universal human, which has been eloquently described by those with deep insight among you.
There are many such people in the world now—teachers and messengers, Masters and visionaries—who are placing this vision before humankind and offering tools with which to create it. These messengers and visionaries are the heralds of a New Age.17
Regarding how the New Age will be achieved and ultimately overseen, “God” impresses Walsch with the importance of bringing spirituality into politics and government. He tells Walsch:
When you agree to spread the word, to carry the message that can change the human heart, you play an important role in changing the human condition.
This is why all spirituality is ultimately political.18
You cannot avoid politicizing your spirituality. Your political viewpoint is your spirituality, demonstrated.
Yet perhaps it is not a matter of politicizing your spirituality, but of spiritualizing your politics.19
Walsch’s “God” is very specific about how this spiritualization of politics should ultimately manifest itself.
“God”: Something will have to be new if you wish your world to change. You must begin to see someone else’s interests as your own. This will happen only when you reconstruct your global reality and govern yourselves accordingly.
Walsch: Are you talking about a one-world government?
“God”: I am.20
“God” exhorts Walsch to carry out his mission to change the world and to bring in a spiritually-based new world order by issuing this charge:
Go, therefore, and teach ye all nations, spreading far and wide The New Gospel: WE ARE ALL ONE.21
And certainly Walsch seems to be doing his part. Responding to his “God’s” charge to spread the New Gospel and to help establish sympathy for “a one-world government,” Walsch co-founded The Global Renaissance Alliance with Marianne Williamson. He also continues to write books, conduct workshops, and speak to large groups around the country.
Sidebar:
Walsch's "God," Hitler, and Death
Direct Quotes from Walsch's "God"
CWG Book 1 (Conversations with God: an uncommon dialogue, Book 1)
CWG Book 2 (Conversations with God: an uncommon dialogue, Book 2)
FWG (Friendship with God)
Walsch: Well, I’m going to have to ask the questions here that I know so many people are thinking and wanting to ask. How could a man like Hitler have gone to heaven? Every religion in the world. . . I would think every one, has declared him condemned and sent straight to hell.
“God”: First, he could not have gone to hell because hell does not exist. Therefore, there is only one place left to which he could have gone. But that begs the question. The real issue is whether Hitler’s actions were “wrong.” Yet I have said over and over again that there is no “right” or “wrong” in the universe. A thing is not intrinsically right or wrong. A thing simply is.
Now your thought that Hitler was a monster is based on the fact that he ordered the killing of millions of people, correct?
Walsch: Obviously, yes.
“God”: Yet what if I told you that what you call “death” is the greatest thing that could happen to anyone—what then? (CWG Book 2, p. 36)
I do not love “good” more than I love “bad.” Hitler went to heaven. (CWG Book 1, p. 61)
The mistakes Hitler made did no harm or damage to those whose deaths he caused. Those souls were released from their earthly bondage, like butterflies emerging from a cocoon. (CWG Book 2, p. 42)
So the first thing you have to understand—as I’ve already explained to you—is that Hitler didn’t hurt anyone. In a sense, he didn’t inflict suffering, he ended it. (CWG Book 2, p. 56)
There is no “death.” Life goes on forever and ever. Life is. You simply change form. (CWG Book 2, p. 40)
I tell you this, at the moment of your death you will realize the greatest freedom, the greatest peace, the greatest joy, and the greatest love you have ever known. Shall we therefore punish Bre’r Fox for throwing Bre’r Rabbit into the briar patch? (CWG Book 2, p. 36)
If you are a being who chooses to cut out a cancer within you in order to preserve your larger form, then you will demonstrate that. (FWG, p.369)
Every aspect of divinity has co-creative control over its destiny. Therefore, you cannot kill a mosquito against its will. At some level, the mosquito has chosen that. All of the change in the universe occurs with the consent of the universe itself, in its various forms. The universe cannot disagree with itself. That is impossible. (FWG, p. 371)
And so, to your question. Is it okay to swat a mosquito? Trap a mouse? Pull a weed? Slaughter a lamb and eat it? That is for you to decide. All is for you to decide. (FWG, p. 388)
For while you will understand that you cannot end another’s life in any event (all life is eternal), you will not choose to terminate any particular incarnation, nor change any life energy from one form to another, without the most sacred justification. (CWG Book 1, p. 96–97)
Endnotes:
1. Neale Donald Walsch, Conversations with God: an uncommon dialogue, Book 1 (NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Hardcover Edition 1996), p. 1.
2. Ibid., p. 2.
3. Ibid., p. 95.
4. Ibid., p. 192.
5. Neale Donald Walsch, Conversations with God: an uncommon dialogue, Book 2 (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads, 1997), p. 35.
6. Ibid., p. 56.
7. Ibid., p. 36.
8. Neale Donald Walsch, Questions and Answers on “Conversations with God” (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads, 1999), p. 334.
9. The Global Renaissance Alliance (http://web.archive.org/
web/20060115103911/http://www.renaissancealliance.org/resrce/
board.htm).
10. Neale Donald Walsch, Conversations with God: an uncommon dialogue, Book 3 (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads, 1998), p. 256.
11. Walsch, Conversations with God: Book 1, op. cit., p. 41.
12. Ibid., p. 76.
13. Walsch, Conversations with God: Book 2, op. cit., p. 235.
14. Ibid., p. 126.
15. Walsch, Conversations with God: Book 3, op. cit., p. 320.
16. Walsch, Conversations with God: Book 1, op. cit., p. 90.
17. Neale Donald Walsch, Friendship with God (New York, NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1999), pp. 295–296.
18. Ibid., p. 394.
19. Ibid., p. 376.
20. Walsch, Conversations with God: Book 2, op. cit., p. 141.
21. Walsch, Friendship with God, op. cit., p. 375.
1. Neale Donald Walsch, Conversations with God: an uncommon dialogue, Book 1 (NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Hardcover Edition 1996), p. 1.
2. Ibid., p. 2.
3. Ibid., p. 95.
4. Ibid., p. 192.
5. Neale Donald Walsch, Conversations with God: an uncommon dialogue, Book 2 (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads, 1997), p. 35.
6. Ibid., p. 56.
7. Ibid., p. 36.
8. Neale Donald Walsch, Questions and Answers on “Conversations with God” (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads, 1999), p. 334.
9. The Global Renaissance Alliance (http://web.archive.org/
web/20060115103911/http://www.renaissancealliance.org/resrce/
board.htm).
10. Neale Donald Walsch, Conversations with God: an uncommon dialogue, Book 3 (Charlottesville, VA: Hampton Roads, 1998), p. 256.
11. Walsch, Conversations with God: Book 1, op. cit., p. 41.
12. Ibid., p. 76.
13. Walsch, Conversations with God: Book 2, op. cit., p. 235.
14. Ibid., p. 126.
15. Walsch, Conversations with God: Book 3, op. cit., p. 320.
16. Walsch, Conversations with God: Book 1, op. cit., p. 90.
17. Neale Donald Walsch, Friendship with God (New York, NY: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1999), pp. 295–296.
18. Ibid., p. 394.
19. Ibid., p. 376.
20. Walsch, Conversations with God: Book 2, op. cit., p. 141.
21. Walsch, Friendship with God, op. cit., p. 375.