Fucking OSTEEN, that pompadoured prick. NO, God did NOT pay Houston a "compliment."

[Miles Archer]

‘Take it as a compliment’: Joel Osteen tells victims Harvey was sign God ‘knows you can handle it’



http://www.rawstory.com/2017/09/take-it-as-a-compliment-joel-osteen-tells-victims-harvey-was-sign-god-knows-you-can-handle-it/

According to Mediaite.com, Osteen was preaching his first Sunday sermon since the storm and the controversy that descended upon him when he refused to open his Lakewood Church megachurch premises to house people displaced by the storm.

The week since has been a turbulent one for Osteen, but he assured his flock on Sunday that God is trying them all because he loves them and believes that they are strong enough to persevere.

Believers may send frantic prayers to God demanding that he “fix it right now” in the midst of a storm.

“The reason it may seem like God is not waking up is not because he’s ignoring you, not because he’s uninterested, it’s because he knows you can handle it,” he stated and added that Christians should “take it as a compliment” from God when their lives are impossibly difficult.

[beam me up scottie]

1. Reason #264 I'm an atheist.

Telling victims that their suffering is a sure sign that god loves them.

[malaise]

8. Otherwise they'd have to say he sent it for them

Fugg all religion everywhere.

[beam me up scottie]

11. Every time there's a disaster we hear about how prayers were answered because gawd saved somebody!

What about the victims who didn't make it? Why weren't the prayers of their loved ones answered? Is it a numbers thing? Too many entries in the big book of sins? Was Jesus on a coffee break?

[malaise]

14. I was in a pharmacy today and the pharmacist told me gawd would decide if one of them would

hit Jamaica. They are all fugging crazy, irrational people.

[beam me up scottie]

16. That mindset has always terrified me.

If you believe everything that happens is the will of god you can justify anything.

[central scrutinizer]

20. My fundie sister used to send me right wing screeds

A minute on Snopes would verify that it was all false bullshit. I would call her on it and say whoever wrote it was a liar. Her response? "Oh well, the Lord Jesus Christ will sort it all out when returns." Absolving her of any responsibility.

[beam me up scottie]

22. They have an excuse for everything don't they?

It all comes down to logic for me and no one said it better than the late great Gene Roddenberry:

[3catwoman3]

45. In the late 1970s, I went to 2 different Star Trek...

...conventions. Gene Roddenberry was the keynote speaker at one of them. What an inspiring person.

I also got my picture taken with Jimmy Doohan at one of the conventions. Can't remember if those 2 things took place the same year or not. Treasured experiences.

[beam me up scottie]

48. I'll bet. Jimmy Doohan was one tough Canadian.

Doohan was born in March of 1920 in the city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War, nineteen-year-old Doohan enlisted as a gunner in the Royal Canadian Artillery. After rising through the ranks to Sergeant, he won a place at Officer Training School, becoming a Lieutenant in the 13th Field Artillery Regiment.

On 6 June 1944, Doohan, by then promoted to Command Post Officer (Captain), was among the Canadian forces sent to take Juno Beach in Normandy as part of the D-Day invasion. He was in command of 120 men. That night, Doohan was hit by machine-gun fire when returning to his command post, sustaining wounds in the leg, right hand and chest – a cigarette case caught a bullet that would otherwise have killed him – and lost the middle finger of his right hand (because of this injury, outside of rare occasions, Doohan would conceal that portion of his right hand in film shots.) "I was twenty-four," Doohan wrote in his book Beam Me Up, Scotty, "And if the Germans had been marginally better shots, I wouldn't have seen twenty-five."

After convalescing in England, Doohan became a qualified pilot at 43 Operational Training Unit, Andover, England, winning Air Observation Post pilot's wings in early 1945. He was posted to 666 (AOP) RCAF Squadron, where he flew the AUSTER Mark V aircraft, a dangerous, low-level flight tasking for artillery officers who photographed enemy positions, and directed artillery fire from the air. Although 666 (AOP) RCAF Squadron was not sent into battle, the unit was stationed at Apeldoorn, Holland, through the summer of 1945 to conduct "air taxi" duties, as documented in the 1945 publication (and 2006 republication), Battle History 666 (Calgary: Abel Book Company, 2006), and in the 2002 publication entitled Canada's Flying Gunners, by Col. Dave Fromow.

http://memory-alpha.wikia.com/wiki/James_Doohan

[3catwoman3]

59. I was living in San Antonio at the time I attended the...

...Trek conventions. I was stationed there while on my first assignment with the Air Force nurse corps. In the pediatric clinic, we were allowed to wear colored lab coats and put decorative pins, etc, on them becuase we were working with kids - definitely not part of usual uniform regulations. I wore a blue lab coat, and sewed a Star Trek science officer patch on the left lapel. I purchased the patch at a cool little shop in downtown San Antonio. The name of the shop was Star Base One.

One day, I was in one of the hosital elevators and was asked by someone where I had gotten the patch. (Non-trek fans often thought it was an Air Force award of some kind.) Without thinking about how weird it was going to sound, I truthfully replied, "I got it at Star Base One." The question asker looked at me like I was certifiably nuts, at which point I realized how kooky my answer must have sounded.

Live Long and Prosper, beam me up!

[beam me up scottie]

62. I love that story!

Live long and prosper, 3catwoman3!

[CrispyQ]

80. Love it!

This entire sub-thread is great!

[CentralMass]

79. Back in the mid 80's I literally ran into James Doohan at a book/tape signing at a Lechemere's Dept.

in MA.

I had dropped my girl friend off in front of the store, parked, then ran in to catch up with her. We were late for an event and were there to pick up a gift for it.

The entrance had a large dark courtyard that you had to walk through to get to the store entrance. As I bolted across the courtyard and neared the entrance a dark figure came running in from my right and before i could stop we collided. It was James Doohan in uniform. Not knowing this quite yet I wrapped my arms around the guy and did my best to not knock him off his feet. We hit "knock your breathe out you" hard. When I saw who it was I was stunned.

He was there with most of the crew (no William Shatner) to sign books and video tapes for their recent movie. They were wearing the swuede bomber jackets. If I rember correctly it was the movie whete they travelled back in time (time warp) to San Francuso retrieve a whale to bring back to their time. I apologized profusely.

As we entered the store he joined the rest of the crew who were setup for the signing at the front of the store.

[logosoco]

75. That is really awful! It seems like someone working as a pharmacist

would have some sort of science background/education.

[malaise]

76. I have long been convinced that the prosperity gospel folks compartmentalize

for convenience - I don't know how they live with themselves.

[3catwoman3]

28. Of the many offensive line of bullshit...

...spewed by fundies, this is the worst, IMO. Does not square at all with the claim that god is a loving father. No loving father would do shit like this.

[beam me up scottie]

30. God works in mysterious ways!

Tell that to a child who's been abused or a rape victim.

What patronizing tripe that is, designed to make the spewer feel better with no thought at all about how the victim will react.

[3catwoman3]

36. Patronizing tripe...

...is an excellent term for this abomination. I further think that the whole "god's will" (intentional lack of capitalization) dodge is a weak way out of taking responsibility for one's own thoughts and actions.

And, wouldn't that have meant that god wanted Barack Obama to be president for 8 years? Why all the ranting, raving and gnashing of teeth against god's will for those 8 years?

[beam me up scottie]

39. Oh don't get me started...

I've heard that garbage used to justify the worst atrocities, from children who have cancer to the Holocaust.

Have you ever seen Stephen Fry's epic smackdown of an all loving God? It is glorious!

[3catwoman3]

44. Thank you so much for that link.

Both Mr. Fry, and the young host who spoke after the clip, nail everything that makes no sense about blind faith.

Willing suspension of disbelief is fine if you are going to a movie, or reading a work of fiction. It doesn't seem to be a very wise way to go thru real life.

[beam me up scottie]

46. You're welcome!

He did nail it, the interviewer was clearly exasperated but I think that's because there is no way he could refute anything Stephen said.

[smirkymonkey]

58. Thanks for that!

I love Stephen Fry and this piece was just brilliant.

[beam me up scottie]

65. You're welcome!

Did you know Stephen Fry was investigated for blasphemy because of that interview? It was eventually dropped but still, it makes you wonder what century this is.

Stephen Fry investigated by Irish police for alleged blasphemy
Saturday 6 May 2017 20.30 EDT

Police in Ireland are investigating a complaint of blasphemy regarding comments made by Stephen Fry on a television programme shown on Ireland’s state broadcaster, RTÉ.

Gardaí (police) in Dublin have contacted the man who reported the allegation following a broadcast in February 2015, and a full investigation is due to be carried out, the Irish Independent reported.

Under Ireland’s Defamation Act 2009 a person who publishes or utters blasphemous material “shall be guilty of an offence”. A conviction can lead to a fine of up to €25,000.

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2017/may/07/stephen-fry-investigated-by-irish-police-for-alleged-blasphemy

[smirkymonkey]

66. Ridiculous!

Still, I wonder if he wasn't gay if they would have come down so hard on him. Ireland can be so backwards in some ways. Things are getting better over there, but their politics seem to still very much informed by the Catholic church.

[beam me up scottie]

67. It's possible that it was being used to try to overturn the law.

Which would be a huge step out of the dark ages.

I was actually looking forward to seeing Stephen on the stand, can you imagine what he would have said about God and uptight fundamentalists with the whole world watching? He would have been delighted to tell them exactly what he thought of them!

[spiderpig]

63. Was that Malcolm Muggeridge in the clip? n/t

[beam me up scottie]

64. I think that was Gay Byrne.

He hosts the Meaning of Life television programme on RTÉ One.

[Blue_true]

29. I don't believe we just showed up or the Universe just happened.

Maybe my Christian background as a child won't let me completely let go. I am a warm deist now. But I do know that preachers in fancy duds, driving expensive cars, living in mansions sicken me, in no way is that right.

[beam me up scottie]

35. I don't have an issue with people who believe in deities.

Just how religious beliefs are used to harm and/or fleece others. And I completely agree with your last sentence, the hypocrisy of teevee preachers also galls me.

[Warpy]

52. Belief or disbelief in a deity is a private matter

but I have to wonder about the attraction of the average megachurch. I find the message universally insulting and the capped-tooth, hair gelled, money grabbing preachers universally repellent, especially to those of us who have exposed to the hard sell by salesmen.

There are a lot of things I don't get, but that one pretty much tops the list.

[Solly Mack]

47. Yes

[Warren DeMontague]

72. ...but, he still needs your money.

[beam me up scottie]

73. Yes he does.

I hear he needs a new jet.

Er...I mean he needs it to help the victims, yeah, that's the story.

KA-CHING!

[Skittles]

2. they're all nuts

it is just a matter of degree

[leftstreet]

3. What a freak

[Different Drummer]

19. Definitely separated at birth.

I can almost hear Osteen saying, "Heh, heh, heh..."

[gratuitous]

4. That explains why he's stayed so far away, I guess

Because Joel can't handle dealing with the hugger-mugger of real life, so God makes sure he is safely ensconced in his wealth and privilege.

[L. Coyote]

5. God loves Houston, God loves America, God loves Trump, or

God would not provide a guy like Joel to send your money too

[sharedvalues]

7. All about 💲💲💲💲💲💰💵💸💸🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑

[central scrutinizer]

21. A rising tithe raises his boat

[Kber]

6. If the reason someone hits you is that they love you

Maybe you're in an abusive relationship and its time to consider leaving.

[stopbush]

9. Amazing what stupidities pass for deep thought in the Xian world.

Pathetic.

[drmeow]

10. I wish there was a way

to bury his house in 16 feet of water!

[uppityperson]

12. Tell that to the dead, asshole

Meaning Osteen.

[Snackshack]

13. Lol

The circular reasoning of religion is genius.

[lastlib]

15. This God of his seems to me to be a colossal asshole.......

Osteen, you're just a foreskin--not big enough to be a full d*ck.

[Angry Dragon]

17. just goes to prove religion can rot the mind and soul

[BeyondGeography]

18. That's show business

[dhill926]

23. a face that looks totally devoid of character.....

[Grammy23]

24. The idea that no matter how things turn out it was the will of god

Is one of the things that finally severed the ties that held me in the beliefs inculcated in me from infancy. If some one had cancer and 500 people are praying for healing and yet they die---well, it was god's will. If they got well, that was god's will. No rhyme or reason to it.

If a hurricane is headed for my town but swerves to the left and goes away from my town, we can thank god for sparing us. Never mind the poor saps somewhere else who had the storm wreck their community.

If I make a long trip to visit family, god gets the credit for getting me there safely. If I don't, well don't blame god. He just needed another angel.

The lack of logic just drives me nuts and yet true believers never see that. If god could direct the hurricane away from my town, why couldn't he just intervene so no one had to be in its path? They never, ever ask that question.

Osteen probably thought (and his congregation took the thought) as a kind thing to say.
Like people who have severely disabled children often say.....they were chosen for the job because god knew they could do the job. How about since god is all knowing, all powerful, why not make the child whole and well?? WHY? Wait. Don't tell me. It was god's will.

[3catwoman3]

34. Pre-fucking-

-cisely! I detest the "this is God's will" outlook.

And then, when we point out that crap like this makes no sense, we are patted on the head or hand, and told that we are not meant to understand.

[beam me up scottie]

37. Well said, Grammy23!

[Dawson Leery]

25. The Evangelical is an eternal mennace

seeking his/her own advantage, bending/disregarding every rule in order to advance their side.
Don't you dare try the same, then you are immoral and will be chastised.

[muntrv]

26. Shut up grifter!

[jmowreader]

27. Oh my...

House flattened? Job gone? Driveway full of hazardous chemicals? Well son, don't despair...just write Pastor Osteen a check for all the money in your bank account, then look to the sky and exult...

[blueinredohio]

31. He sounds like Trump

[onecaliberal]

32. God doesn't favor anyone over another. He's also doesn't say he will spare anyone any suffering

He said he would send his comfort and prepare a place for you. The prosperity gospel bullshit is such bullshit, I don't get why anyone falls for it.

[Guilded Lilly]

33. For people who genuine believe, this foul user is the worst enemy of

of faith, decency and humanity.

[smirkymonkey]

38. What a sick fucking bastard!

[oberliner]

40. This is actually a pretty standard sermon about trying to find the positive in overcoming challenges

If you watch the video, it is essentially a message of finding strength and comfort from the fact that when the worst of a hardship is over, you can often emerge stronger.

[rockfordfile]

68. No excuses for a sick sleazeball like that pos.

[DLevine]

70. Telling people to take it as a compliment from God when their lives are impossibly difficult

is all kinds of fucked up. That's not helping people find inner strength, it's telling them pain and suffering is a positive thing.

[madamesilverspurs]

41. In other words,

"Thanks for sending me money. And, no, you can't have any of it back to relieve your suffering."


.

[milestogo]

42. Its called MINDFUCK religion.

Trying to wrap your head around it is a MINDFUCK.

[JDC]

43. America is the land of suckers apparently.

the hypocrisy knows no bounds.

[iluvtennis]

49. I actually liked Rev Joel's inspirational sermons, now I'm boycotting him as his behavior regarding

Harvey and not providing his church as a shelter is deplorable.

[keithbvadu2]

50. Abortion is the 'will of God', Joel.

[Permanut]

51. Following up on lastlib's comment above..

apparently when Osteen was circumcized, the doctor kept the wrong part.

[SHRED]

53. Equinsu ocha

[rurallib]

54. Who writes his stuff? Trump?

[DRoseDARs]

55. And the 50 (and rising) dead people?

Motherfucker.

[littlemissmartypants]

56. Meth head preacher boy.

To quote a famous person: $hit be cray.

[shenmue]

57. The fuck?

[TexasBushwhacker]

60. Ah yes. The old "God doesn't give you anything you can't handle" argument

How are you suppose to "handle" your child having a deadly disease or birth defect? Or if they were murdered? How are you suppose to "handle" losing everything you own, especially when you already didn't have all that much? How can you honestly tell them that God CHOSE them to go through this ordeal?

Why didn't God choose Joel for this "compliment"? Why didn't God flood Joel's $10 Million estate in River Oaks? BTW, $10 Million buys a LOT of house in TX, unlike some other parts of the country. Joel is due for a smiting.

[WinkyDink]

61. Smarmy huckster.

[dembotoz]

69. My young wife who lay dying from leukemia was at times told similar

It was pretty damn awful

[Vinca]

71. I heard a number of rescued people thanking Jesus, thanking God.

It's bizarre to me. If the imaginary sky person controls the universe, then said imaginary person caused the hurricane. When you mention this to them they always say "It's a test." A test to see how gullible people really are I guess. Now pass the collection plate.

[DLevine]

74. I've always seen that as being much like an abusive relationship.

You thank the one who beat you up for not actually killing you.

And yes, if you're going to thank someone for rescuing you, thank the person who risked their life to save you.

[Ilsa]

77. So if God loved me less, if I was weaker, I wouldn't have lost everything I own?

Really stupid rationale on his part.

[Paladin]

78. Fuck you where you breathe, Osteen. (nt)