re: Joel Osteen about to open his church up

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No it's not, but I also don't put much stock in your evaluation of logic. You may think the government's role is to protect and provide for everyone, I do not. It's our role. Churches and similar organizations should lead that effort.

The government setting up shelters is not at the top of my list of overreaches, but would it be nice if it were completely unnecessary due to the plethora or organizations that already fill that need in their communities? Of course.

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I guess we have different perspectives. IMHO the government should be the leading source of shelters and resources in a disaster. The government should have and does have staff and contracts in place to take care of these situations. Churches and other organizations are welcome to help, but dont have the resources and organizational structure to handle large scale disasters. Plus we never know who is going to be around.

A one time the church may have been the center of last refuge but we have moved away from that model and with religion being less and less a part of peoples lives I dont see that changing.

Ignoring his inordinate lifestyle: the $10 million home, the $200,000 salary, the flying first-class, the oddity that his church displays no religious symbols whatsoever... My problems with Joel Osteen stem from his garrulous, hollow sermons. Notice that I said "my problems" - what doesn't work for me, may be well suited for someone else.

He, nor his wife, have received any sort of religious education or study. Now, I don't believe that is a complete bar, but he is ignorant and unfit to carry a message of deep spiritual thought. I find that his sermons reflect that.

They simply aren't challenging. He tailors his messages to the mawkish crowd and simply regurgitates the same feel-good, formulaic sermons that people latch on to. It's successful - very successful. However, to my knowledge, he (and his wife) have yet to produce one pensive sermon that challenges the listener. Religion and Christianity aren't always supposed to be comfortable for the listener. I find that the Osteens' sermons are like a cupcake wrapped up in a cute little box with a bow on top. You know, something that has very little substance and that always makes you feel good after.

It does work for some people and that's great. It isn't a bad message that he is trying to portray. It just doesn't work for me.

Hold up.....there isn't even a single cross displayed in the church????

Are there bibles in the church for people to use to follow along with the sermon?

I mean....the cross is THE symbol of Christianity. To not have it displayed anywhere in a church that says they are Christian is just kinda odd imo.

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:ohno:

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Q: So why no religious symbols on the stage at Lakewood?

A: It's never been intentional. We believe in the cross and the resurrection. It stems back to when my father started the church. He was very mission-minded and wanted to spread the good news all over the world. He started with a map, then it turned into a globe and so we just continued it.



I bet the same people criticizing him for not having a cross, are also criticizing Bethany for having crosses that they deem too big.

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You don't find it odd?

Hmmmmm......let's play a game. Which one is Scientology and which one is Lakewood?

Osteen used to receive a salary. I have been told that once his books started rolling in millions, he stopped.

But does it have a cross inside the church?