Way To Go Houston - Ex-Rockets Sports Arena Now Mega-Church

[matcom]

now do NOT make fun of Texas k?

<snip>

HOUSTON -- An arena that basketball fans once packed to see the NBA's Houston Rockets has been converted into a 16,000-seat sanctuary for the nation's largest Christian congregation.

Lakewood Church, led by 42-year-old televangelist and author Joel Osteen, will hold its first service Saturday at the former Compaq Center, with Texas Gov. Rick Perry among the guests.

Lakewood recently became the first church in the country with an average weekly attendance of more than 30,000 at its services.

The renovated facility features two waterfalls, but no cross or image of Jesus Christ. Instead, there's a large globe that will rotate slowly behind Osteen as he preaches.

Critics have accused Osteen of downplaying sin and repentance to promote a gospel of positive thinking. His mother, Dodie Osteen, responds, "We don't preach the gospel sad; we preach it glad."

http://www.wftv.com/news/4726626/detail.html

[LynneSin]

1. When will these idiots learn that a church is NOT a building

A church is a gathering of several people in the name of God. The Gospel of Thomas was banned from the bible because it came out with such radical ideas that a few people sitting on some logs talking about Jesus would official be deemed a church.

These people are celebrating a Golden Calf with their mega church. They should be ashamed of themselves!

[BikeWriter]

16. I disagree, He is not some Holier than thou asshole...

Joel Osteen's congregation is big! They need a stadium. I don't buy into it, but he is the least offensive televangelist I've ever seen.

[Jara sang]

22. Let's hope that God smites them.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

2. Holy Crap!

Anybody know what this means?

"Critics have accused Osteen of downplaying sin and repentance to promote a gospel of positive thinking."

What the hell are they talking about there?

[kick-ass-bob]

4. It means he doesn't preach fire and brimstone -

he preaches that you should try to be the best person that you can be and talks about using positive thinking.

Some fundies don't like him because he doesn't talk about Jesus this and Jesus that as much as they would like.

I saw an interview on Larry King - he seems pretty down to Earth to me.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

5. So he's not a real fundie?

I've never heard of him before, so I didn't know.

If he's not preaching hate and politics from his pulpit I see no harm in this. :shrug:

[kick-ass-bob]

6. No - from what I know - no politics,

and definitely no hate.

I think he got in "trouble" for mentioning gays in a non-negative way - but I'm not 100% sure about that.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

25. I have no problems with this then

My limited experience with fundies are a rabid pack which attacked our local wiccans until the FBI had to step in. They are not nice people and not about love and tolerance. They the are not practicing true Christianity.

I have no issues at all with anyone who is into self betterment, love and tolerance. We need more of that, IMO.

[BikeWriter]

14. I am an atheist, and have no use for organized religion, and...

I loathe Orel Roberts, Pat Robertson, Jimmy Swaggart, et al. They're self-righteous pricks. Yet, I have been known to leave this kid on for several minutes before switching channels. He seems to be a genuine person who believes his own message.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

26. Thank you for telling me that

It's good to know he's not a fundie with 30,000 followers.

[BikeWriter]

30. Thank you for "listening." :-)

[blondeatlast]

19. That would be your religiously insane fundamentalist Christians.

And you are going to hell for not getting it, see?

[Jara sang]

24. It's called Human Potential movement wrapped up as Christianity

I don't know the guy, but if he is doing 'human potential' I'll guarantee he is doing $500 seminars and selling DVDs to his congregation. It's a money making scam.

[BikeWriter]

33. I haven't heard of any seminars on his show. I only see it in passing...

I haven't heard any Orel Robert's type ultimatums about the Lord taking him home unless he raises eight million dollars. I am cynical about religion, and this guy may be a crook, but I haven't seen it.

[Lars39]

3. I wonder if he's a Moonie? Here's an in-depth article about Osteen:

http://www.religionnewsblog.com/10085

[underpants]

7. I'll bet God can hear you in there

Baa duhduh duuuuh DUH GOD! ba duhduh duuuh DUH

[matcom]

8. .

:rofl:

[underpants]

9. AND NOW .. .... your lord and savior.........JESUS

[matcom]

bet that is a hell of a laser show when HE is announced!

:bounce:

[underpants]

11. I wonder if they will put up a statue of him outside the arena

[matcom]

12. already been built

[underpants]

13. Why is he white?

:yoiks:

[matcom]

15. heathen

jesus was from Abilene and a conservative

[Fenris]

10. Yeah, that deal was around before the Toyota complex was built

I don't have a problem with it. One could do a lot worse than Osteen.

[BikeWriter]

17. Yes, indeed.

[peekaloo]

18. I had a few near religious experiences in that building.

Heard testimonials by Springsteen, Dylan and r.e.m. Glory be!
-------------
The renovated facility features two waterfalls, but no cross or image of Jesus Christ. Instead, there's a large globe that will rotate slowly behind Osteen as he preaches.
--------

Sounds like he's using parts of the old 'Daily Show' set. :P

[blondeatlast]

20. HA! nt

[Jara sang]

21. Holy shit. Rotating globe?

Sounds like Pat Robertson meets Dr. Evil.

[LeftyDarthBrodie]

28. They haven't met yet?

That's news to me.

[BikeWriter]

23. Anyone automatically excluding Osteen from our party is fucking up...

by the numbers. He is not your typical fundie. When did we become a party of exclusion? Who gives a shit what his religion is? I go by what a man's politics are, and Osteen doesn't seem to come across like an enemy of ours.

[GreenPartyVoter]

27. I agree. I would give him a chance. Heck, I disagree with some fundies on

the subject of gay marriage and choice, but we can agree on feeding the poor, universal healthcare, protecting the environment.

Politics makes for some strange bedfellows.

[BikeWriter]

29. Very good, thanks for being open minded....

Tolerance is where we have it over the conservatives! :)

[GreenPartyVoter]

31. I hope so (but some days I don't feel very tolerant. *sigh* Just really

ticked off.)

[BikeWriter]

32. I know, Pard. Those assholes are ruining our World! :-(