Elvis and spirituality.

[Menwithbrokenhearts]

I wanted to start this thread for two reasons. One, to share with you a question I posed to Sandi Miller and two, to possibly discuss Elvis' spiritual beliefs and his search in detail. I don't think we have ever got serious and detailed about this and as much as Elvis like to strike up these conversations about his view and others and discuss them, debate them etc... I thought it might be, in the Elvis spirit of things , good to do here.

First here is a question I asked Sandi Miller a few months back and following is the response she wrote back to me.

And, just a quick question if I may. You talked of having and listening to converstations where Elvis talked at length about his religious and spiritual beliefs and was wondering if you could possibly share some of his thoughts, musings, beliefs with us. ( I'm starting to read some of the books he owned and read)

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I hope I can put this into words the right way --


**Where to begin? Discussions centered around religion came up often with Elvis and what amazes me is that, unlike the saying about never discussing religion and politics, there never seemed to be a problem when the subjects came up. Maybe because Elvis had a way of listening to what everyone had to say, and then, if there was something he did not understand, or disagreed with - he was able to walk that line without offending anyone - it was truly something that was so interesting to watch. It was also interesting to see how he was able to make those people THINK and want to search for the answers or find out more about their own beliefs.


Because of the numerous amount of fans/guests that passed thru the house he always had a very varied audience with so many religions represented over time. And he seemed to know more than a little about each religion!

What I got from his discussions was that no religion was better than another (and that did raise a few eyebrows with some who felt very strongly about THEIR beliefs were the only ones that mattered on the bottom line)

His basic theory seems to have been that, as long as you believe in a higher power, lead a good life according to your own beliefs, well then - you're doing good.

He said once, after a discussion about pagans etc. who he was told in NO uncertain terms would NEVER make it to a higher place after death -- he said he felt that ALL people were God's children and just because they happened to be born in a place or situation where they did not have access to a bible or knowledge of a higher being, but rather worshipped a muddy rock-- that wasn't their fault and he did not feel they would be penalized for it. His theory was you can't do something wrong if you don't know it's wrong. Ok, he had a point and I think it hit home to several in the room.

One gal - brave little thing that she was - chastized him on how he was living his life - his lifestyle etc. I saw that little nerve in his cheek start to twitch and I thought...oh uh...everyone duck!!!!!! He looked right at that gal and very calmly said words to the effect of ......... you don't know what is in my heart, you see what you see but you don't KNOW what you see, and only one person judges me, only one person knows my intent or reason and no one pays more than I when I do something I know is not right. (I had to go look that up to get it as close to accurate as I could)

Needless to say, that gal didn't have much else to say for the rest of the night! I think alot of us in the room where silently patting him on the back for that answer!!!!!

During these discussions, usually all the boys left the room - old hat to them I suppose - which means it was usually a room full of women and Elvis sitting in his chair with a captive audience - was an interesting sight! He always tried to see all sides to everything and wanted explanations for everything which more often than not, the people offering up their sides didn't have. The fact that they did not have an explanation would just open up another discussion because he could not understand how someone would have an opinion but not know why they had that opinion.

As you might be able to tell - the evenings could get pretty intense. But then, any discussion got intense with him because he was so brimming with knowledge and questions you could almost see him explode whether the discussion be about religion, medical stuff, the mob, phychic stuff, reincarnation, you name it~ I get worn out just thinking about it!

After all that rambling I'm not sure I answered the question but I hope so


Sandi

[ForeverTheKing]

Thanks a lot Menwithbrokenhearts!!

It was really interesting to know something more about one of the aspect I like most in him.
I'm religious so I'm very curious about Elvis thoughts in this subject; when I read about his spirituality and his discussions I understand why he was so lonely!
I don't think there were many people around at the same level...and this is really sad. Nobody can be forced to be interested in spiritual things, I know, but you can't only live your life thinking about fun and money.
Elvis was a big star and he managed to preserve this spiritual side on his personality...I always admire him for this and I'm sorry he counldn't share this with many of his "friends".

[Donut]

Thank you for the interesting read Menwithbrokenhearts

I have never agreed about Elvis being lonely and not having anyone to talk about his beliefs and I don?t think we should feel pity for him for that. Elvis was human and like us he had different friends with different interests and that don?t make you a lonely person. He knew with who he could talk about different kind of things and with who not, just like any of us. He couldn?t expect all his family and friends to have his ideas and intersts, that?s not fair for them.
With this I don?t want to critize him, I think Elvis was very intelligent and gave a good thought to everything and he had a very interesting point of view about spirituality and religion and I always enjoy reading and watching his quotes.

[Diane]

I'm not sure what you're asking Charles, but I was brought up with a very strict religious background. Some of my family members (luckily not my parents) were fanatical to the point of it being sick. I fully agree with Elvis' beliefs that anyone has a chance to get to heaven even non-christians if they lead a good life. I can't believe God would be so petty as to deny any good human being the chance of a life everylasting. That kind of thing is a human failing and he's way above that.

Anyhow, as to whether Elvis had anyone in his household to discuss religion with, I feel that they were very few and far between. I can't picture Joe or the Wests sitting down with him and listening. In fact, I've always had the feeling Joe looked down on him as a person. Larry Geller, Ed Parker and possibly Charlie were probably the only ones that took the time with him on that subject.

I feel Elvis had very strong religious beliefs that kept him going longer than he might have been able to otherwise. I think he talked to God a lot. I believel he had a gigantic conscience that plagued him whenever he did anything wrong - he suffered for it. I've always loved that big heart of his that loved people of all races and religions. We could all learn from him in that special way he had.

[Menwithbrokenhearts]

I'm not sure what you're asking Charles, but I was brought up with a very strict religious background. Some of my family members (luckily not my parents) were fanatical to the point of it being sick. I fully agree with Elvis' beliefs that anyone has a chance to get to heaven even non-christians if they lead a good life. I can't believe God would be so petty as to deny any good human being the chance of a life everylasting. That kind of thing is a human failing and he's way above that.

Anyhow, as to whether Elvis had anyone in his household to discuss religion with, I feel that they were very few and far between. I can't picture Joe or the Wests sitting down with him and listening. In fact, I've always had the feeling Joe looked down on him as a person. Larry Geller, Ed Parker and possibly Charlie were probably the only ones that took the time with him on that subject.

I feel Elvis had very strong religious beliefs that kept him going longer than he might have been able to otherwise. I think he talked to God a lot. I believel he had a gigantic conscience that plagued him whenever he did anything wrong - he suffered for it. I've always loved that big heart of his that loved people of all races and religions. We could all learn from him in that special way he had.

You're welcome everyone. I just wanted to share that with you and see if you wanted to talk about this aspect of Elvis' life. I agree with you Diane, your response was right on. He was looking for alot of answers and he kept coming back to what he was raised on. The basics of that, atleast. Kind of what I've done in my life.
Thanks again for all the responses. Take care.