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Post by annabella on Aug 29, 2017 3:15:41 GMT
This is what is trending on social media, Joel is being roasted over the coals for this. When Lakewood church cancelled Sunday service due to the flood it became a catchy headline but I think we don't know all the facts yet. People are posting pics online showing the church is not in a flooded area.
The Huffington Post said his church was open for the last flood so maybe the church decided to assist the victims by raising funds instead. Opening his church means that his staff would have to brave the weather to get there, and maybe that was impossible for many. I thought it would be too late to open now because they don't have a stockpile of food & etc ready but someone just posted on twitter that they are now bringing mattresses into the church and there are 8 maintenance workers in the church that were instructed to let anyone in that comes. But that also the convention center near the church is fully equipped with the needed things to shelter people.
I also read a touching story that a furniture store opened its doors to flood victims, I thought that was wonderful considering they are all sitting on new merchandise. So what do you think, does Joel Osteen have an obligation to open his church to flood victims? I know it's the Christian thing to do, but he also has to worry about his own staff and their safety to run this operation.
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Post by elaine on Aug 29, 2017 3:21:21 GMT
Why couldn't he open his church and let the Red Cross or another rescue organization staff it?
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zookeeper
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Post by zookeeper on Aug 29, 2017 3:21:26 GMT
I despise Joel Osteen so my opinion would be extremely skewed.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 19, 2024 21:17:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2017 3:24:00 GMT
I despise Joel Osteen so my opinion would be extremely skewed. Me too.
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Aug 29, 2017 3:24:41 GMT
I despise Joel Osteen so my opinion would be extremely skewed. Ditto..........
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Peamac
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Post by Peamac on Aug 29, 2017 3:25:39 GMT
I think it depends on whether or not they have enough qualified people that are available to help with evacuees. By "qualified" I just mean that they know the building inside and out, can handle crowd control, things like- if the building floods, if the electricity goes out, etc. If the appropriate people are available, it would be good for them to open. But if they are busy caring for their own homes and families in the flood, it's understandable they wouldn't want to come in.
ETA- Even if they opened it for the Red Cross to man, there would still need to be church custodians there to care for the building, in case of emergency, flooding, etc.
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zookeeper
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Post by zookeeper on Aug 29, 2017 3:25:51 GMT
Why couldn't he open his church and let the Red Cross or another rescue organization staff it? Because he is a Christian of convenience.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Aug 29, 2017 3:27:45 GMT
I also read a touching story that a furniture store opened its doors to flood victims, I thought that was wonderful considering they are all sitting on new merchandise. That would be Mattress Mac (Jim MacIngvale), owner of Gallery Furniture. He has opened both locations of his store, one in Houston and the other in Sugarland. Mattress Mac has always been very generous with donations, so I was not the least bit surprised that he opened the store. Evacuees sitting on the new furniture would never even cross his mind, only that the people of Houston are in need and he will help as best he can. Joel Osteen could learn a few things from Mattress Mac. That is all I will say about that.
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Post by drummergirl65 on Aug 29, 2017 3:28:45 GMT
I'll put this out there that I am a Christian. I'll also state that I can't stand Joel Osteen. I think he should open his church doors to those who need help. If he's concerned about stuff I'm sure that church has a security staff. Wouldn't it be a great way to show Christ's love to his fellow man by helping?
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Post by femalebusiness on Aug 29, 2017 3:34:46 GMT
I can't say anything nice about any of those tv preachers so I just won't say anything.
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zookeeper
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Post by zookeeper on Aug 29, 2017 3:35:43 GMT
I am a Christian as well, albeit a liberal one. However, I staunchly believe that Joel Osteen is a blab it and grab it preacher. I do NOT believe that God will grant our wishes simply because we asked for it. He teaches bad Christian beliefs.
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amom23
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Post by amom23 on Aug 29, 2017 4:21:04 GMT
Apparently all the negative press and outcry have made a difference as I see the church is now planning to open it's doors to those in need of shelter. My gut tells me money talked louder than God did into Pastor Joel's ear.
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Deleted
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May 19, 2024 21:17:05 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2017 4:37:19 GMT
I also read a touching story that a furniture store opened its doors to flood victims, I thought that was wonderful considering they are all sitting on new merchandise. I read that also and it literally brought tears to my eyes. ETA: I don't know much about Joel Osteen, but I have no use for megachurches or "TV preachers", so I'm not surprised.
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MizIndependent
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Post by MizIndependent on Aug 29, 2017 4:41:51 GMT
Why couldn't he open his church and let the Red Cross or another rescue organization staff it? Because he is a Christian of convenience. He's a wolf in sheep's clothing. I heard he even tweeted a donation link! Basterd is trying to profit off other's misery. Glad he is finally being seen for what he is.
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Post by tracyarts on Aug 29, 2017 5:08:29 GMT
Meh, Osteen and MacInvale are cut from the same cloth.
I grew up in the neighborhood MacInvale got his business start in during the 70s. He wasn't a well thought of person because of his unethical behavior in both his business and personal life.
It's good that he donates so much. But he stepped on a lot of necks to get where he is. It galls me when people say he was blessed so much, and that's why he gives so much back to the community. I think he's trying to pay off his own conscience. Or purchase a good name for himself.
But again, it's good that he donates so much. Too bad he fucked so many people over back in the day.
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Post by kels99 on Aug 29, 2017 5:11:58 GMT
I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they are helping in other ways, especially since the convention center down the road was set up as a shelter. Maybe there wasn't the need for more shelter space.
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anniebygaslight
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Post by anniebygaslight on Aug 29, 2017 6:17:17 GMT
He looks a creep and represents the worst of organised 'megastar' religion.
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Post by jackietex on Aug 29, 2017 6:29:35 GMT
My daughter got in a small FB argument tonight with the son of the pastor of very large Austin church (they went to school together) because he was defending Lakewood, and I told her "prosperity over charity." Maybe I'm just cranky and taking it out on someone I don't respect, but I believe they have a duty to open their doors to the people of Houston--and it's not like everyone would have ditched their current digs to hang out at the church. We are supposed to be the hands of Jesus, and so far their hands have locked the door. I do believe they will do something, but there is a huge need NOW.
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inkedup
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Post by inkedup on Aug 29, 2017 6:45:21 GMT
The federal government (and FEMA) would have a lot more money if they'd start taxing churches.
It's such bullshit that these mega churches rake in millions (some of them, hundreds of millions) of dollars a year, and don't pay taxes like the rest of us.
Fuck Joel Osteen and his brand of Christianity. I'm an atheist, but guys like that make me almost wish for a hell.
So Christian.
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Post by Merge on Aug 29, 2017 9:11:30 GMT
I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they are helping in other ways, especially since the convention center down the road was set up as a shelter. Maybe there wasn't the need for more shelter space. The convention center is several miles away, not down the road, and it's over capacity now with more than 8000 people there.
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Post by monklady123 on Aug 29, 2017 9:57:33 GMT
Of course he has a security staff (for whoever mentioned that upthread)...all large churches do. Even my mini-church has someone whose job it is on Sunday morning to keep an eye on things.
Even if he's now said he's going to open to me it's too late. It's like trump issuing his first teleprompter speech after Charlottesville...too late. Or when some politician apologizes for whatever they said/did after the news people unearth it...too late. Not that we can't regret what we've done in the past and change our hearts, but my cynical side says that the big names are doing it only because they've been caught out.
I don't know anything about the mattress store guy but the fact seems to be that he offered before anyone could ask. Maybe he regrets his ruthless past (someone said he stepped on people to get where he is today...?). Like I said, I know nothing about him so this is just me rambling. But it's one thing for someone to see an emergency and say "oh here's how I can help" right off the bat, and another for someone to do it after a day or so of negative publicity.
Also full disclosure...this post is colored by my dislike of Joel Osteen and the Prosperity Gospel that he preaches.
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Post by tkdmom on Aug 29, 2017 10:09:36 GMT
Yes, he does have an obligation to open his church. Your parishioners and staff need a safe place to go. They have supported you. Now you have an obligation to support them in a time of need. even if those sheltered are not one of your flock, as a Chrisitan, you have an obligation to shelter. IT does not matter if the convention center was next door and could shelter 8,000. It is better to have 4,000 in two buildings that 8,000 in one.
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Kerri W
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Post by Kerri W on Aug 29, 2017 10:36:14 GMT
I'm a Christian and really don't have a thought one way or the other about Olsteen. I think it would be great if his church was open and wonder what the rest of the story may be.
I attend one of the largest churches in our town and we are the emergency shelter for our area. It takes the full church staff and many volunteers to have our church open during emergencies. And it has to be staffed 24 hours a day. I can remember exactly once where we had a delayed opening because we simply didn't have enough people to work.
Also something factual that I know from being in committees, not because it was being complained about, is that aside from the cost of food, supplies, etc, there is always damage or a good amount of theft during the time we're open for emergencies. We do it and we do it with love but there ARE additional concerns other than "just" opening the doors.
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AnotherPea
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Post by AnotherPea on Aug 29, 2017 11:23:33 GMT
Why couldn't he open his church and let the Red Cross or another rescue organization staff it? I don't remember all of the details but I do remember this being a big deal when my former city faced a natural disaster. The Red Cross simply was not a good thing. They had so many rules and stipulations that the shelters had to refuse their "services." They have good PR though.
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scrapaddie
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Post by scrapaddie on Aug 29, 2017 11:24:53 GMT
Why couldn't he open his church and let the Red Cross or another rescue organization staff it? He may not have an agreement with Red Cross. If he does not have naterials and round the clock volunteers, how is he supposed to operate. Out church has had an agreement with Red Cross in place for years, just in case. Have no idea who this guy is, nor do I know what resources he has, or the makeup of his church And, from being involved with Family Promise, a faith based organization providing shelter, food, etc. to homeless families, there are MANY churches that do not want to get involved in the work of being Christian. Thankfully there are those that do, including my tiny church
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Post by pondrunner on Aug 29, 2017 11:37:27 GMT
I should think a church that size would be able to cobble together enough volunteers to make it happen. I'm hearing that the shelters that have opened are turning away volunteers because they have so many people who came out to help. God bless them.
On the other hand we saw what happened in the Superdome and Morial after Katrina and the conditions that emerged. Without infrastructure and preparation a shelter can easily become a mass rescue effort.
I think he is a greedy slimeball either way.
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Kerri W
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Post by Kerri W on Aug 29, 2017 11:48:01 GMT
Why couldn't he open his church and let the Red Cross or another rescue organization staff it? That's way over simplifying. Our church is tiny in comparison to Olsteen's but large for our area. We have had two VP debates in our town and hosted the State Police and the Secret Service during those debates. Our pastor's son is a secret service agent. Who better to turn your church over to than the SP and SS right? It still required a full church staff and many volunteers to have our church open to host them. Who takes care of all the church systems during an emergency? With weather experienced during natural disasters everything doesn't work smoothly. Electricity goes out. Generators go out. Those prompt various alarms and auto locks etc. The elevator no longer works correctly-what do you do with those on the second floor? It's just simply not as easy as turning over keys to whatever agency and allowing them your empty warehouse space. Again-no idea whether I'd support Olsteen or not but it makes me question what the basis of his decision was.
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Post by SockMonkey on Aug 29, 2017 11:54:35 GMT
Whatever. If a mattress store can do it (and send trucks to save people) and a mega church can't/won't, something is broken.
Staff it? What about the members of the congregation who are safe? Where's that Christian helping?
I'm not religious, but Jesus would be puking right now seeing this.
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Post by mikklynn on Aug 29, 2017 12:08:12 GMT
I also read a touching story that a furniture store opened its doors to flood victims, I thought that was wonderful considering they are all sitting on new merchandise. That would be Mattress Mac (Jim MacIngvale), owner of Gallery Furniture. He has opened both locations of his store, one in Houston and the other in Sugarland. Mattress Mac has always been very generous with donations, so I was not the least bit surprised that he opened the store. Evacuees sitting on the new furniture would never even cross his mind, only that the people of Houston are in need and he will help as best he can. Joel Osteen could learn a few things from Mattress Mac. That is all I will say about that. This x10. Joel Osteen does not define what a Christian is, in my opinion. Jim MacIngvale does.
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Post by hop2 on Aug 29, 2017 12:30:47 GMT
What does being Christian have to do with it??? It's a function of human decency to help others in need.
My town's LIBRARY has been open as a shelter for the last several natural disasters - the staff VOLUNTEERED because they are decent human beings
My town's town hall & Rec center are open for emergencies. Because it's the right thing to do. ( I have no idea how they staff it though )
My temple has been open as a shelter many times. ( btw we have 1 part time janitor ) open during blizzards and hurricanes and as a cooling center every heat wave. 2 weeks every summer for homeless families. Because it the right thing to do. ( and hey we've never had a theft issue lucky us )
Texas is full of people out there doing the right thing. Human to human helping each other. There are a few bad people, but from here it certainly looks like the good people out weigh the bad by a landslide. Neighbors taking in neighbors, strangers helping each other. Because there's a whole bunch of decent human beings doing the right thing. Has nothing to do with how or if they worship. If Joel Osteen and his church do not want to participate in that, that's their choice. But it speaks not only about their 'Christianity' but also about their humanity and decency.
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