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August 17, 2008
Oasis Of Self Pity
Did anyone else's jaw drop upon seeing this evening's Channel 2 story (we'll link to video as soon as it's up) about today's morning services at Lakewood Church? That's right folks, the good reverend Joel Osteen and his recently exonerated wife Victoria took to the pulpit this morning to celebrate their recent victory over "persecution" in a Houston courtroom.
Last week a Harris County jury rejected a lawsuit filed against Mrs. Osteen by a Continental Airlines flight attendant. Sharon Brown claimed Osteen assaulted her on a December 2005 flight from Houston to Vail, and sought several hundred thousand dollars worth of damages. For the record, the merits of the suit seemed at best dubious to us and we thought the jury made the right call.
That said, it is clear that Mrs. Osteen behaved very badly during the incident, as evidenced by her removal from the flight before it took off. (The jury foreman even said as much in his comments to the press after the trial.) But has she ever taken any public responsibility for her role in the matter? Of course not! Victoria was the victim of a terrible wrong, but God has seen her through. Her acting like a jerk in the first place is a minor detail, and besides, it doesn't really fit in the Sunday sermon. We guess the sermon about taking responsibility for one's own actions will have to wait for another Sunday.
We also found it particularly rich that the multi-millionaire pastoral glamour couple would spend the worhsip service wallowing in self-pity and congratulation. Never mind that many in their own congregation are likely facing real problems. Can't you just hear Reverend Joel preaching? "Facing foreclosure? Can't pay your medical bills? Marriage falling apart? God will get to you later. Today is about us and our victory over a junk lawsuit. Praise the Lord!"
Classy folks, those Osteens.
Posted by houtopia at August 17, 2008 05:19 PM
Comments
I was in the service and it is obvious, like most critics, that you are making judgements without personal experience. You have no idea how she acted on the flight. 99% of the witnesses saw and heard NOTHING and 100% of the jury found her NOT GUILTY! The service was honoring to the Lord and inspiring to those in attendance. Thier comments were only to encourage us that regardless of our circumstances or the adversities that we face in life, keep your eyes on the Lord - Keep your faith in Him and He will fight your battles for you. There was no pride or gloating. They only used their recent circumstances to provide us examples of how they responded and the things they did to keep their hearts pure and their faith strong. We can all learn from the example of how they walked out their faith.
Posted by: Jay at August 18, 2008 07:08 PM
The video I saw of the Osteens speaking at the service tells a different story than you describe.
Remember, Mrs. Osteen's behavior was severe enough to warrant her removal from the flight and being fined by the FAA. Again, I did not think the lawsuit had merit. That doesn't mean her conduct was acceptable. What I watched from yesterday's service was the same kind of entitled, self-righteous attitude that likely created this whole situation in the first place.
Posted by: houtopia at August 18, 2008 10:42 PM
Houtopia, do you dislike Christians or just the Osteens?
Posted by: George Rather at August 19, 2008 01:15 AM
Its amazing how you silly Xians will take up for their Shepherds who fleece their own flocks and all in the name of the Magical Mystical Carpenter who they he may have existed was not what the writers of bible fairy tales made him.
Posted by: Zarec at August 19, 2008 10:28 AM
Mr. Rather,
Due respect, but your question is silly. The post had nothing to do with disliking Christians, or even the Osteens. It was simply a take on their public behavior. Surely you realize those are very different things.
Posted by: houtopia at August 19, 2008 02:38 PM