Do you support megachurch/prosperity churches and pastors?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Wow.

those of us who are spiritually plugged in can truly tell he is the real deal and truly walking in Christ.

That's some cult-speak right there. I wish you could hear yourself. I'm really sorry this happened to you.

Bwahahahahahahahahha. Cult speak. You're reaching... reaching hard. I'm sorry you're so obsessed with someone you don't like. I'll pray for you to get the HELL OVER IT

That's actually the very definition of cult speak.

http://www.esama.ca/warning-signs-that-you-are-in-a-cult

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't know exactly how much money the church takes in, exactly how that money is spent down to the penny, and exactly how much money every single person on staff makes in salary and benefits, you are in the wrong church. Financial information should be published and available to everyone. This especially includes the pastor's salary.

I am a minister and spent years as a church administrator. Tithes and offering and any other income and expenditures to include detailed payroll information was posted on our church website quarterly. If your church is anything less than 100% transparent with finances, there is something seriously wrong.

The so-called prosperity gospel is wrong in so many ways. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be successful. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy. But if a minister is making millions from the church he pastors, something is very, very wrong.

To be fair, I believe most of his money comes from royalties of his books. But still.

And the idea God financially rewards his most faithful is the greatest line of bullshit I've ever heard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Wow.

those of us who are spiritually plugged in can truly tell he is the real deal and truly walking in Christ.

That's some cult-speak right there. I wish you could hear yourself. I'm really sorry this happened to you.

Bwahahahahahahahahha. Cult speak. You're reaching... reaching hard. I'm sorry you're so obsessed with someone you don't like. I'll pray for you to get the HELL OVER IT

That's actually the very definition of cult speak.

http://www.esama.ca/warning-signs-that-you-are-in-a-cult

So literally none of these apply. I really think you need to work on your reading and/or thinking skills. My God.

[Anonymous]

He seems evil. Scamming elderly people out of their limited incomes is a horrific way to make money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Wow.

those of us who are spiritually plugged in can truly tell he is the real deal and truly walking in Christ.

That's some cult-speak right there. I wish you could hear yourself. I'm really sorry this happened to you.

Bwahahahahahahahahha. Cult speak. You're reaching... reaching hard. I'm sorry you're so obsessed with someone you don't like. I'll pray for you to get the HELL OVER IT

That's actually the very definition of cult speak.

http://www.esama.ca/warning-signs-that-you-are-in-a-cult

So literally none of these apply. I really think you need to work on your reading and/or thinking skills. My God.

Of course you don't see yourself there.

But honestly, if being a Joel Osteen fan means regularly taking the name of the Lord in vain...well, I think that says everything we need to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Wow.

those of us who are spiritually plugged in can truly tell he is the real deal and truly walking in Christ.

That's some cult-speak right there. I wish you could hear yourself. I'm really sorry this happened to you.

Bwahahahahahahahahha. Cult speak. You're reaching... reaching hard. I'm sorry you're so obsessed with someone you don't like. I'll pray for you to get the HELL OVER IT

That's actually the very definition of cult speak.

http://www.esama.ca/warning-signs-that-you-are-in-a-cult

So literally none of these apply. I really think you need to work on your reading and/or thinking skills. My God.

Of course you don't see yourself there.

But honestly, if being a Joel Osteen fan means regularly taking the name of the Lord in vain...well, I think that says everything we need to know.

Objectively looking at that site, literally nothing I said fits it. Sorry dude. Swing and a miss.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I love Joel. And I don't really care what the negative haters and detractors say. I spent 12 years in Catholic school so I don't have much patience for guilt tripping, fire and brimstone version of religion which actually separates us from our connection to God.

Thank you Joel.

But $$$ brings you closer???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes I love Joel. And I don't really care what the negative haters and detractors say. I spent 12 years in Catholic school so I don't have much patience for guilt tripping, fire and brimstone version of religion which actually separates us from our connection to God.

Thank you Joel.

But $$$ brings you closer???

I haven't ever donated any money to Joel, except maybe $1 or $2 when I went to his church a couple times visiting Houston. I mostly listen to his podcasts and his television shows, as many people do. And guess what? You don't need to. You've been fed a crock of media BS about this man

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't know exactly how much money the church takes in, exactly how that money is spent down to the penny, and exactly how much money every single person on staff makes in salary and benefits, you are in the wrong church. Financial information should be published and available to everyone. This especially includes the pastor's salary.

I am a minister and spent years as a church administrator. Tithes and offering and any other income and expenditures to include detailed payroll information was posted on our church website quarterly. If your church is anything less than 100% transparent with finances, there is something seriously wrong.

The so-called prosperity gospel is wrong in so many ways. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be successful. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy. But if a minister is making millions from the church he pastors, something is very, very wrong.

+1

And I hate the prosperity gospel and think it is a million miles away from anything that Jesus preached. "Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you don't know exactly how much money the church takes in, exactly how that money is spent down to the penny, and exactly how much money every single person on staff makes in salary and benefits, you are in the wrong church. Financial information should be published and available to everyone. This especially includes the pastor's salary.

I am a minister and spent years as a church administrator. Tithes and offering and any other income and expenditures to include detailed payroll information was posted on our church website quarterly. If your church is anything less than 100% transparent with finances, there is something seriously wrong.

The so-called prosperity gospel is wrong in so many ways. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be successful. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy. But if a minister is making millions from the church he pastors, something is very, very wrong.

+1

And I hate the prosperity gospel and think it is a million miles away from anything that Jesus preached. "Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”"

Well, that quote sure hasn't stopped people from seeking wealth. Maybe it's misinterpreted, like so many other things in the Bible.

[Anonymous]

This is Joel Osteen's house.

It doesn't matter where his money comes from. Any person who lives in this kind of extravagance, is not following the preaching of Jesus. It doesn't mean you must live in a cardboard box, but this kind of decadence is the complete and total opposite of piety and humility.

I don't know how anyone can respect that "man."



He also owns a private jet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes I love Joel. And I don't really care what the negative haters and detractors say. I spent 12 years in Catholic school so I don't have much patience for guilt tripping, fire and brimstone version of religion which actually separates us from our connection to God.

Thank you Joel.

But $$$ brings you closer???

I haven't ever donated any money to Joel, except maybe $1 or $2 when I went to his church a couple times visiting Houston. I mostly listen to his podcasts and his television shows, as many people do. And guess what? You don't need to. You've been fed a crock of media BS about this man

I hate to break it to you, but you made a serious mistake here. $1 or $2 is not going to cut it. You need to buy the Platinum Prayer Package to ensure that Joel Osteen will personally hear your prayers and commuincate them to Jesus. This package is available for the bargain price of $29.99/mo + tax (sorry, YOU pay tax, Osteen does not). EBT, SNAP, PayPal, and all major credit cards are accepted.

[Anonymous]

bwahhhaa not the Platinum Prayer Package...ok tears are rolling down my face, I'm DYING over here! ROFL....

We have our own MEGA churches right here in the DMV ....his/her Bentleys for the Pastoral staff, etc.....it's the high income fed and private workers who are pulling in $250K per couple (or single for that matter) and tithing $25K, it's simple math....poor folk may tithe but they are not the ones who allow for the purchases of mansions, zoot suits and praise jets. And I can't feel sorry for highly educated individuals who decide to prop up these ministries.

[Anonymous]

I broke off a friendship over this. The woman, previously my friend and a member of MBC, was relentless.....and I got fed up with telling me how she wanted to help show Jews the "right way" to G-d, and that it wasn't too late for me. Constantly emailing me scriptures from the NT, and when I told her it's disprectful to send quotes from Jesus to Jewish people, she got indignant and said she had no idea I found Jesus so offensive. Clueless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes I love Joel. And I don't really care what the negative haters and detractors say. I spent 12 years in Catholic school so I don't have much patience for guilt tripping, fire and brimstone version of religion which actually separates us from our connection to God.

Thank you Joel.

But $$$ brings you closer???

I haven't ever donated any money to Joel, except maybe $1 or $2 when I went to his church a couple times visiting Houston. I mostly listen to his podcasts and his television shows, as many people do. And guess what? You don't need to. You've been fed a crock of media BS about this man

I hate to break it to you, but you made a serious mistake here. $1 or $2 is not going to cut it. You need to buy the Platinum Prayer Package to ensure that Joel Osteen will personally hear your prayers and commuincate them to Jesus. This package is available for the bargain price of $29.99/mo + tax (sorry, YOU pay tax, Osteen does not). EBT, SNAP, PayPal, and all major credit cards are accepted.

Except I didn't. And have never been pressured to donate. And I'm still a welcomed member of the church. I guess that puts a bit of a damper on your little conspiracy theory... rats. Next time get a little more creative, say Joel is responsible for crop circles or something, that's harder to disprove...