Joel Osteen's church passed around collection plates during a service with Harvey victims

[tblue37]

Joel Osteen’s church passed around collection plates during a service with Harvey victims

After essentially being shamed into opening up its doors to Hurricane Harvey evacuees, Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church thought it would be a good idea to pass around collection plates during services on Wednesday, even though the audience was filled Texans who lost their homes and belongings.

It happens towards the end of the video, which is notable for being entirely dedicated to praying for those in the audience who were displaced by the storm.

https://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/343826/joel-osteen-harvey-collection-plate-video/

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[Grammy23]

1. Well, that was awkward.

[jberryhill]

2. Don't muzzle the ox when it's treading the grain

Every flock needs a good shearing from time to time.

[Skittles]

3. like I said

the only plate that asshole steps up to is the one that gets passed around

[dubyadiprecession]

4. Joel Osteen doesn't own Lakewood church.

He doesn't have the last word on any decisions there, everyone needs to get that straight!

[nini]

5. Oh pleaae

Why has he been deflecting the decision to not open it up for those in need?

Defending that guy right now is a bit odd

[L. Coyote]

9. Does he own his modest home?

Link to tweet

[Drahthaardogs]

25. Very humble. Very representative of the poor carpenter

He wants to follow. Today's gospel is ironic. "For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it"

As was the reading of St. Paul, "Don't concern yourself of the material world"

[Iggo]

13. It's his.

[WinkyDink]

17. He passed around the collection plate. To victims.

[lame54]

20. He's a con man...

Straight enough for you?

[wryter2000]

30. Whether he owns it or not

It would be his decision. My rector would be the definitive word on something like this.

[dlk]

6. It's All About the Money - Religion is Merely the Vehicle

Big religion is like big business - all about the money for those at the top.

[L. Coyote]

8. Best tax free business in the USA.

[RainCaster]

7. What a POS

[Raymondwolk]

10. REW

Maybe we should not judge unless we are judged first.

[renate]

11. welcome to DU!

I wondered whether the people who made the decision to pass the collection plate realized who was in the audience. I certainly hope they didn't, because if they did, that's just gross.

I suppose they could have thought that those audience members who hadn't been flooded out might be in a contributory mood. It's just that his actions before the flood have made people cynical about his actions since then.

[milestogo]

12. Maybe we should judge when tons of evidence is already in.

[Eliot Rosewater]

32. I know, lets support politicians who want women to die in back alleys

and gays to be treated like scum.

I bet they dont consider that "judging"

[canetoad]

14. Hey Raymondwolk

What does REW mean?

[Orrex]

18. Reject Evangelical Weirdos

Either that or "REWIND."

[Iggo]

22. I already been judged a whole bunch. So I'm good to go. Thanks.

[Drahthaardogs]

26. Judging would be stating Olsteen is going to hell

Pointing out the fact that he lives lavishly, denies himself nothing, and closed his Church to those in need is pointing be out facts.

[dchill]

28. I can live with it.

And the saying, "Judge not, lest you be judged" is not a command not to judge - it's a caveat to expect to be judged by the same standard you use.

Again, I can live with that.

[TeamPooka]

15. Grifters gotta grift

[rockfordfile]

16. That's one messed up "church"

[Orrex]

19. I have no sympathy for any fool who has given money to this obvious thief

That is, people of otherwise competent medical function who looked at this oily charlatan and said "I believe him."

Fools, all of them.

[smirkymonkey]

21. Was the collection FOR the victims or for the church?

If the money is going to the victims, it is slightly less contemptible, but if it is going to the church then it was an abominable thing to do.

[Iggo]

23. It was FROM the victims.

[smirkymonkey]

24. Yes, I know that and I think it is deplorable, but I was asking who was it

going TO.

[CentralMass]

27. Looking at thar mansion up above I can guess. I also so that

Hid net worth is 60 million.

[smirkymonkey]

31. Absolutely sickening.

For the life of me, I can't understand why people can't see through this charlatan. It is so glaringly obvious to the rest of us.

[Hieronymus]

29. Osteen is no "christian".

[Iggo]

33. Oh, sure he is.

Probably a Scotsman, too.