Neale Donald Walsch's Conversations with God (CwG) is a series of novels. It's written as a dialogue between Walsch and God, in which Walsch asks questions and God responds. Conversations with God, Book 1: An Uncommon Dialogue, the first book in the series, was released in 1995 and became a publishing sensation, spending 137 weeks on The New York Times Best Sellers List. The following volumes in the ten-volume series were also prominently featured on the List.
Walsch explained the origins of the books in an interview with Larry King, saying that at a low point in his life, he wrote an angry letter to God, wondering why his life wasn't working. He heard a voice over his right shoulder say, "Do you really want an answer to all these questions or are you just venting?" after he had written down all of his questions. Despite the fact that he saw no one when he turned around, Walsch felt answers to his questions fill his mind and decided to write them down. The result was the Conversations with God series of books. “I am reaching out to touch others with this information,” Neale said in a recent interview when asked how he ‘opens up' to God these days. I instantly reconnect with the divine presence when I reach out and touch others with this information.”
Book 1 (pg. 4) claims that words are representations that can be interpreted, rather than being the true reality. As a result, when reading the novel, or any other book, readers are encouraged to consult their own inner knowing or intuition to decide their own reality. Despite the fact that the books are titled Conversations with God, and the author claims in book 1 that he is "taking dictation" from God, the 'dialogue' is said to be ongoing between God and all people at all times. According to Neale, the issue is not who God speaks to, but who listens. The assertion that God will connect with people in several ways (the next song you hear, the next sunset you see, the next time you hear laughter, the next movie that really moves you) clarifies this. "All of these gadgets belong to me. Both of these options are available to me. If you invite me, I will talk with you." (Pg. 58 in Book 1)
According to legend, Jesus wanted to lead by example, which is why he said, "I am the way and the life, follow me" Rather than being his followers, we should follow his example and become one with God - Jesus and other living things are/were not one with God right now (everything is happening right now with no space/time difference). "I and the Father (God) are one and you are my brethren" Jesus is said to have said. This means that all living things (particles of the collective God) are one (Book 3, Chapter20, pgs. 329-330)."without the father (God), I am nothing" Jesus is said to have said. Pure thinking, which is the energy of creation, is the father of all (Book 3, Chapter11, pg. 180).Mahavatar Babaji, like Lazarus, Jesus, and other humans, may have risen from the dead at some point, according to Book 3 of Neale Donald Walsch's Conversations with God (1998).[number four]
When Neale inquires about reincarnation, God responds that it is not a false doctrine. Neale then inquires as to why certain sects are unaware of the facts on anything so fundamental. God responds by explaining that humans have many fear-based religions whose teachings revolve around the doctrine of a God who is to be worshipped and feared. Fear was the catalyst for the transformation of Earth society from a matriarchy to a patriarchy.The holy priests used fear to persuade people to change their ways and listen to the Lord's words. Fear was used by the churches to establish and maintain power of their membership. Churches also said that if you did not attend church every Sunday, God would punish you; not attending church was considered a sin - and not just any church.It was necessary to attend only one church; attending a church of a different religion was also a sin. That was a pure and simple attempt at control by the use of fear. The best part is that it really succeeded. As long as we believe that God is like man — cruel, self-serving, unforgiving, and vengeful — people would believe in hell and a God who will take them there.Most people could not imagine a God who could rise above all of that in the past, so they followed many churches' teachings to fear the Lord's awful vengeance. It was as as if people couldn't trust themselves to be good and behave properly for their own reasons. To hold themselves in line, they had to establish a religion that preached the doctrine of an angry, vengeful God. The concept of reincarnation threw everything into disarray.
The church was preaching that you had better be good or else—then the reincarnationists came along and said, "Don't worry, you have another chance after this, another chance after that, and still more chances." Make the best decision you can. Don't get paralysed by fear to the point that you can't move. Make a promise to yourself to do better and follow through. Naturally, the early Church would not have approved of anything that accomplished two goals. It founded the sacrament of confession after denouncing the doctrine of reincarnation as heretical. Confession will fulfil the promise of reincarnation for the Churchgoer. To put it another way, give him another chance. However, there was a catch: this absolution did not come directly from God; instead, it had to pass through the church, where priests pronounced penances that had to be carried out. These were generally prayers that the sinner was expected to say. So now you had two good reasons to stay in church. Confession proved to be such a strong drawing card for the church that it was soon declared a sin not to go to confession. It was required of everyone at least once a year. If they didn't, God would be enraged for another cause. The church began to promulgate an increasing number of laws, many of which were arbitrary and capricious, each rule carrying the weight of God's eternal condemnation, unless, of course, failure was admitted and the individual was forgiven by God, and condemnation was avoided. Another issue arose as a result of this. People deduced that this meant they could do whatever they wanted as long as they confessed it. The church was at a crossroads. The people's hearts were no longer filled with fear. The number of people attending church has decreased, as has the number of people who are members.
Once a year, people came to confess their sins, say their penances, and be absolved of their sins before moving on with their lives. There was no doubt in my mind. Purgatory was created to find a way to reintroduce terror into people's hearts. Purgatory has been defined as a place that is similar to hell but is not permanent. This new doctrine stated that even though you admitted your sins, God would punish you for them. According to the doctrine, God decreed a certain amount of torment for each imperfect soul, depending on the number and form of sins committed. There were two types of sins: mortal and venial. If you don't confess your mortal sins before death, you'll go straight to hell. Church attendance increased once more, as did collections and particularly contributions—for the doctrine of purgatory claimed that one could buy one's way out of misery. According to the church's teaching, one could obtain a special indulgence from God, but only through a church official. These special indulgences relieved one of, or at least a portion of, the torment in purgatory that they had received through their sins. Only a select few were given these pardons, such as those who had made significant contributions to the church. A plenary indulgence may be obtained for a very large amount of money. This meant there would be no time in purgatory at all; it was a one-way ticket to heaven. Far fewer people had access to God's unique favour. Perhaps royalty and the super-rich. In return for these plenary indulgences, the church received vast sums of money, jewels, and property. The people were enraged by this exclusivity, which caused them much anger and resentment. Since the poorest farmer had no chance of obtaining a bishop's indulgence, the rank and file lost confidence in the scheme, and attendance was once again on the decline. The novena candles were then carried in. People could come to the church and light a novena candle for the poor souls in purgatory, and by saying a novena (a series of prayers said in a specific order over a period of time), they could reduce the sentence of the dearly departed by several years, allowing them to leave purgatory earlier than God would have permitted.
They couldn't do much for themselves, so they should at least pray for the deceased's grace. Of course, dropping a coin or two through the slot with each candle lit would be beneficial. A lot of small candles were flickering behind a lot of red glass, and a lot of pesos and pennies were being dropped into a lot of tin boxes in an effort to persuade God to let the souls in purgatory suffer less (Book 3, Chapter7, pgs. 126-130).