From: jack@myamiga.mixcom.com (Jack Decker)
Newsgroups: misc.entrepreneurs,ucb.general,ucb.wanted,ba.general
Subject: Re: THINK AND GROW RICH
Date: 15 Apr 92 19:07:00 GMT
Article-I.D.: f8.1992Apr15.f9cc0
Organization: Northern Bytes BBS - Sault Ste. Marie, MI U.S.A.

In article <1992Apr14.003605.18417@pasteur.Berkeley.EDU> dated 14 Apr 92
00:36:05 GMT, c162-av@danube.Berkeley.EDU (Neeraj Chaudhary) wrote:

 > I have just finished reading the above book, by Napoleon Hill,
 > and I am interes-ted in finding individuals who have done the
 > same, and would like to form a
 > "Master Mind" alliance.  If you have not read the book, an
 > explanation:

You may not appreciate this, but for those not already familiar with Hill, BE
CAREFUL!  I would personally avoid his teachings like the plague.

This is especially true if you consider yourself to be a Christian, or if you
simply do not wish to be involved with the occult.

Here is a quote from one of Hill's books:

	     "Now and again I have had evidence that unseen
	friends hover about me, unknowable to the ordinary
	senses.  In my studies I discovered there is a group
	of strange beings who maintain a school of wisdom....
	     "The School has Masters who can disembody
	themselves and travel instantly to any place they
	choose...to give knowledge directly, by voice....
	     "Now I knew that one of these Masters had come
	across thousands of miles, through the night, into
	my study....
	     "I shall not set down every word he said...much
	of what he said already has been presented to you in
	the chapters of this book and will follow in other
	chapters.
	     "You have earned the right to reveal a Supreme
	Secret to others," said the vibrant voice.  'You
	have been under the guidance of the Great School....
	Now you must give the world a blueprint....'"
	     [Napolean Hill, _Grow Rich With Peace of Mind_
	(Ballentine Books, 1967), pp. 158-160, as quoted by
	Dave Hunt & T.A. McMahon in _The Seduction of
	Christianity_ (Harvest House Publishers, 1985), pp
	18-19.]

Authors Hunt and McMahon point out that Hill claims to have "learned the
mind-power techniques contained in his books from disembodied spirit entities.
Demons masquerading as Ascended Masters used Hill to deceive the millions who
have adopted the "success" techniques they gave him."

I really can't do justice to Hunt and McMahon's writings in a short message
like this one, but the bottom line is that when you are buying into Hill's
teachings you are really buying into a religion.  The weird part is that Hill's
teachings have become what is now called "Positive Mental Attitude" and have
permeated both the secular and religious spheres of influence.

Hunt and McMahon were roundly blasted by many "conventional" religious leaders
after writing _The Seduction of Christianity_, but those interested in knowing
the origins of a lot of this type of thing may find it interesting reading.  In
any case, when you read Napolean Hill, bear in mind that you are reading the
writings of someone who attributes his teachings to "unseen friends" and
disembodied spirits (which Hunt and McMahon believe are really demons).

Sorry if this offends anyone, but I think that those who haven't heard about
Hill deserve to be warned about what they might be getting into if they start
reading his books.  Please note, I am NOT telling anyone what to think (but
Hill does!), nor am I telling you what you can or cannot read.  But if you do
decide to walk into the valley of Hill's teachings, you should at least be
aware of what you're getting into.  I would hope that you'd also want to know
what's behind the philosophies and teachings you're reading.  When the author
himself admits that he's into the woo-woo stuff (as a girlfriend of a friend of
mine so aptly put it :-) ), I tend to stay away!

Jack Decker                               | No, I don't own an Amiga; I just
Internet address: jack@myamiga.mixcom.com | get Internet mail via a gateway
Fidonet address:  1:154/8                 | system that runs on an Amiga.