Joel Osteen: Be afraid. Very Afraid.

[UdoKier]

TV's hottest greed-cult swindler, Joel Osteen.


Osteen's megachurch in Houston



This guy is such an obvious flim-flam man, it amazes me how many people fall for him.

He's not fit to carry Elmer Gantry's jock...

This guy is the definition of the term "greasy smile".

[Left Is Write]

1. Oh, barf.

That picture ought to come with a vomit warning.

[democrat in Tallahassee]

2. what great hair!

[name not needed]

3. Hey Joel, 1993 called. They want their "overbearing prick" look back.

[UdoKier]

5. Does that guy have lipstick on his nipples?

A la "Pennies from Heaven"

[Richardo]

4. Note: The church photo is the former Compaq Center (sports arena)

in midtown Houston, which has been turned into a church for the Lakewood Baptists. Seats 12-14,000 IIRC.

Just so ya know.

[Zen Democrat]

6. Lakewood isn't Baptist. It's non-denominational (Assembly of God).

Joel's old man, John, who began the church, was a fire and brimstone, faith healing, talking in tongues Assembly of God preacher -- a contemporary of Swaggert.

Joel has taken the church into a non-denominational happy-talk, self-help motivational, feel-good direction. Joel doesn't ask for money at the end of his televised sermons (and obviously he doesn't need to). He talks about the importance of laughter and tolerance and understanding. He's basically running a pseudo-psychotherapy center at Lakewood, but that's a huge improvement over the old-time religion of his father.

I must add that back in June 2001 when Houston was devastated by Tropical Storm Allison and vast areas of the city had from 25-50 inches of rain, Joel Osteen turned Lakewood Church into an emergency shelter and housed and fed hundreds and hundreds of people for nearly a week. It was the only church in the area that stepped up to the plate during the disaster. That's the only thing that ever really impressed me about Lakewood.

[Richardo]

7. My mistake. You are correct, sir.

I was confused with Lakewood Baptist. Mea culpa.