Storm
ThrUU the Looking Glass
SERIOUSLY?!? SERVICES have a COVER CHARGE? :thud:
Disgusting as that is, though, I think it bolsters my postition more than yours. He's upfront about just wanting your money. Cons imply deceit.
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Joel Osteen, con artist
- Thread starter Mr Spinkles
- Start date
Disgusting as that is, though, I think it bolsters my postition more than yours. He's upfront about just wanting your money. Cons imply deceit.
Buttercup
Veteran Member
These are special engagements. Still, I don't think Billy Graham (I'm still researching) ever charged to get into one of his crusades. The local churches pooled their money for the cost of the stadiums from what I can gather.
In my mind he's prostituting God. Hearing the good news about God should be free. That's a con to me.
Beaudreaux
Well-Known Member
Beaudreaux
Well-Known Member
must....resist....inappropriate....comment.........
Storm
ThrUU the Looking Glass
Oh. I thought you meant there was a cover charge at church services.
Now that you've clarified, I'm a little less outraged. I don't know much about the guy, and from what I'm hearing here I don't care to, but if he's a motivational speaker, it's perfectly reasonable to charge for such engagements.
Well, I agree and I don't. It's just so blatant, so upfront that I can't bring myself to call it a con.In my mind he's prostituting God. Hearing the good news about God should be free. That's a con to me.
HoldemDB9
Active Member
You gotta draw the line somewhere with this sort of thing, but for me, it would not be drawn just yet.
My hat goes off to the guy. Like I said, I would not allow people lives to be ruined or anything, but if people are so dam stupid enough to give you money for doing this kind of stuff and they believe that they are getting something out of it, I don't see a problem. I wish people would pay me money for preaching religion, and I would have no problem taking it, IF they could afford it and IF they thought they were getting something out of it. Looks like a good money making opportunity and I love money.
People should not have to pay a penny to connect with God, and they should know this. If they don't and they are willing to pay money of of sheer stupidity, I would have no problem collecting it. Just in the same way I have no problem sitting down in a casino and taking stupid peoples money at the poker table. I don't see a difference.
My hat goes off to the guy. Like I said, I would not allow people lives to be ruined or anything, but if people are so dam stupid enough to give you money for doing this kind of stuff and they believe that they are getting something out of it, I don't see a problem. I wish people would pay me money for preaching religion, and I would have no problem taking it, IF they could afford it and IF they thought they were getting something out of it. Looks like a good money making opportunity and I love money.
People should not have to pay a penny to connect with God, and they should know this. If they don't and they are willing to pay money of of sheer stupidity, I would have no problem collecting it. Just in the same way I have no problem sitting down in a casino and taking stupid peoples money at the poker table. I don't see a difference.
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Buttercup
Veteran Member
He's a motivational speaker who uses God as a front because he knows America is a predominantly Christian country. Again, a man of honor and integrity like Billy Graham would never ask for money to hear a sermon about God. I find it highly unethical. You have to be well off to hear the good news. The prices are HIGH!
I think the reason I mostly agree with the title of the OP is because I was a practicing Christian for so long. This manner of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ just seem so wrong. You give Joel money - he tells you about God and the good life. It's weird.
Buttercup
Veteran Member
Would you define what you view as a con man? Just curious.
Storm
ThrUU the Looking Glass
Someone who uses deceit to get money. Be it a complicated phony investment scam, or telling a lonely old woman he loves her. But he has to lie.
Osteen is no better than that, to be sure, but he's too blatant about it to qualify as a con man in my book.
Buttercup
Veteran Member
Ok, thanks. He is a master at manipulating money in the name of God though and I think you see how that's not preferable. If you don't want to call him a con man....that's cool.
Storm
ThrUU the Looking Glass
Yeah, please don't think I'm defending him. He's definitely a scumbag, just not that specific kind.Ok, thanks. He is a master at manipulating money in the name of God though and I think you see how that's not preferable. If you don't want to call him a con man....that's cool.
gnomon
Well-Known Member
I say never trust a person who doesn't do an honest days work.
That would include folks like Osteen, Jackson, Robertson, Hinn and lump them right in with psychics like Sylvia Browne and Rosemary Altea.
None of them do anything illegal.
They just sell to people what they want to hear and what they have already heard before.
As far as the evangelicals are concerned who attend these megachurches one has to wonder if they even read the Gospels or if they can even read at all.
That would include folks like Osteen, Jackson, Robertson, Hinn and lump them right in with psychics like Sylvia Browne and Rosemary Altea.
None of them do anything illegal.
They just sell to people what they want to hear and what they have already heard before.
As far as the evangelicals are concerned who attend these megachurches one has to wonder if they even read the Gospels or if they can even read at all.
Buttercup
Veteran Member
I've read a couple of impromptu interviews with Osteen since the start of this thread. He's not the sharpest knife in the drawer. He needs his speeches to be well thought out and rehearsed to sound even remotely polished and intelligent. He never went to seminary either.
Imagist
Worshipper of Athe.
I can build the flying spaghetti monster statue on gigantic poles so that it is high up in the sky across the street from Joel Olsteen's church, reaching down to save drowning Jesus.
Imagist
Worshipper of Athe.
Okay, okay. Accusations SHOULD come from more than just suspicion.
Trey of Diamonds
Well-Known Member
I agree, now how can we get the media to understand it? :sarcastic
Mr Spinkles
Mr
I wanted the topic to graduate to that.
Trey of Diamonds
Well-Known Member
I wanted the topic to graduate to that.
Woke up this mornin', turned on the t.v. set.
there in livin' color, was somethin' I can't forget.
This man was preachin' at me, yeah, layin' on the charm
askin' me for twenty, with ten-thousand on his arm.
He wore designer clothes, and a big smile on his face
tellin' me salvation while they sang Amazin' Grace.
Askin' me for money, when he had all the signs of wealth.
I almost wrote a check out, yeah, then I asked myself
Would He wear a pinky ring, would He drive a brand new car?
Would His wife wear furs and diamonds, would His dressin' room have a star?
If He came back tomorrow, well there's somethin' I'd like to know
Could ya tell me, Would Jesus wear a Rolex on His television show.
Would Jesus be political if He came back to earth?
Have His second home in Palm Springs, yeah, and try to hide His worth?
Take money, from those poor folks, when He comes back again,
and admit He's talked to all them preachers who say they been a talkin' to Him?
Just ask ya' self, Would He wear a pinky ring,
Would He drive a brand new car?
Would His wife wear furs and diamonds, would His dressing room have a star?
If He came back tomorrow, well there's somethin' I'd like to know:
Could ya tell me, would Jesus wear a Rolex,
Would jesus wear a Rolex
Would Jesus wear a Rolex
On His television show-ooh-ooh?
Heh, I just love and excuse to break into song...
Mr Spinkles
Mr
What song is that? Who wrote it? I like it.