The value of dictation

by LES EVERETT

APPARENTLY Neale Donald Walsch's book 'Conversations With God' sold seven million copies worldwide. That's not bad especially when you consider the writing process. Walsch claims he asked God some questions and God answered. The author took dictation.

A car accident sent Walsch's life into a downward spiral from comfortable middle class America to the streets. His story is an indictment of the USA's healthcare system that seems to leave people in trouble to their own devices. If I lived over there I'd be barracking for Obama at the next election.

The movie version of 'Conversations With God' has a made-for-TV look about it. Henry Czerny plays Walsch who fortunately wasn't a drinker or drug taker when forced onto the streets and, eventually, a cheap trailer park.

A job at a radio station helped get him back on track and soon the "conversations" started. One thing led to another, the book was published and Walsch was soon on the speaking circuit. He had some good things to say too - imaging a world where "people who connect" like teachers, artists, police, nurses and firemen get paid as much as football coaches and movie stars. There was also something interesting about work: "You have so little time. How can you think for a moment of making living doing something that you don't like to do?"

There's also a disturbing piece of hokum when a woman whose adopted son has died confronts Walsch.

Walsch is still spruiking. On his website he recently announced the impending launch of a "...global, civil rights movement for the soul freeing humanity at last from the oppression of its belief in a violent, angry, vindictive and exclusive God."

'Conversations With God' is out now on DVD through Hopscotch/Roadshow.

25 March 2007

australianrules.com.au

cwg

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