Bow Down to Oprah...No Really, A Yale Professor Says Oprah Could be a New Religion

For those of whom have ever wondered if Oprah Winfrey was some sort of god… or a mother of, there is now proof in your hypothesis.

According to Yale professor Kathryn Lofton, there is an actual science behind Oprah Winfrey’s spiritual nature.

Lofton’s new book, “Oprah: The Gospel of an Icon” calls Oprah’s philosophy “The Gospel of You” – which is based on the idea that people don’t have to be perfect, but should always work toward their “best self.”

Lofton likens the message to a working religion. As the New York Post reports, Lofton studied transcripts of almost every episode of Winfrey’s show, 105 issues of "O Magazine," 17 issues of "O at Home," 68 books from Oprah’s Book Club and 52 Spirit Newsletters.

The Gospel of Oprah even has honest-to-Oprah followers.

In 2008, 35-year-old yoga instructor and performer Robyn Okrant spent an entire year living by Oprah's advice as dispensed via her show, magazine and Web site. Okrant wrote a book abouther experience called "Living Oprah: My One-Year Experiment to Walk the Walk of the Queen of Talk."

Where Okrant tried to follow by example, Lofton apparently did an in-depth study of the language used by Winfrey.

The conclusion? Lofton holds that the combined message of self discovery, plus Winfrey’s usage of rhythmic speech patterns used by southern preachers and a sermon-like format for each show, has created a Gospel of sorts.

According to Lofton, the good news of the Oprah Gospel, is “you.”