Osteen Closes Church to Harvey Refugees--Then Sees The Light After Public Shaming on Media (America, myth)
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Trillobyte and company: Dump all your junk on the atheism forum, since that's obviously what you're about. We don't need this crap.
Well, I don't know about you but I am a Deist. I believe in God--just not the Christian's God. And this IS the Religion forum, not the Christianity one. So there's too!!
Well, I don't know about you but I am a Deist. I believe in God--just not the Christian's God. And this IS the Religion forum, not the Christianity one. So there's too!!
So what's your God like? Does he not like people? Is he into bashing others? That's the impression you're giving off.
He could have and should have done what the Mormons had done prior to Katrina in New Orleans and what my church had done in Honolulu: Have a plan in place for at least their own members for a predictable mass emergency.
The Mormons' plan in New Orleans was so complete that each member knew a year before exactly who would be giving him a ride out of the area and who he'd go to stay with outside the flood zone.
In my church in Honolulu, when a hurricane was impending, the pastor had a list of the widows and single mothers that we men used to evacuate them or board them up, depending on the zone they were in.
It's not necessary that a pastor be prepared to take in anybody and everybody in the community, but there is no excuse for any congregation not having a plan for at least their own members, as well as being willing to support the Salvation Army church with money and bodies (because the Salvation Army does have a plan to support the general community).
Edit: It appears, however, Osteen's own church was flooded out.
The city of Houston was not even ordered to evacuate. No one predicted a disaster on this scale so I don't think it's fair to criticize Olsteen for not having a plan in place. If the church is flooded as some of the photos suggest, then there is obviously safety concerns so sounds like he have wanted to use the church as a last resort when more safe facilities were beyond capacity. Also, a lesson from Katrina should be remembered. Just opening a massive arena like the Superdome for people without adequate planning, supplies and people can result in horrible conditions. What happens when there are not enough bathrooms for everyone and people just have to go right out in the open, for example? That can spread disease and water just makes it more dangerous.
I'm not going to rush to judge Olsteen here because I don't know all the facts. If the church building could truly be a safe haven then Olsteen is clearly in the wrong and failing at the most important commandment, to love and help others. Sitting cozy in a million dollar home and tweeting out a quick message telling people to pray comes off pretty callous.
It's easy to blame, especially for all of those who want to find fault, and are lazy asses at researching the situation to see what's really going on.
Most of the major roads around church are literally underwater. Many people would be more adversely impacted trying to get to the church, rather than just staying in place where they are. But people here would blame them and the church regardless. There's no way to win against naysayers and armchair critics who see anything and everything in a cold, dark, negative tone.
It's so easy to blame, especially for all of those who want to find fault, and are lazy asses at researching the situation to see what's really going on.
Most of the major roads around church are literally are underwater. More may be impacted negatively (read: hazard) trying to get there, rather than just staying in place where they are. Yes, the truth sometimes sucks, doesn't it?
He opened the doors. People and agencies will find their way to the doors. It is a good thing.
Well, you don't know whether to laugh or cry. Osteen didn't want his beautiful Lakewood carpets stained by filthy trash refugees from Hurricane Harvey. But he did have a prayer for them:
But after being raked over the coals on social media he's suddenly found religion and has decided to open the doors. Probably figures he can bloat the cleaning bill and get a bigger deduction. What a tool!
Joel Osteen runs a for-rofit church. I would expect any decent Christian tp help nearbybtragedy victims, but I'd not even blink at him turning them away. At the end of the day, we've got to live according to our God, and his is mostly money and good press. He realized one would affect the other.
He could have and should have done what the Mormons had done prior to Katrina in New Orleans and what my church had done in Honolulu: Have a plan in place for at least their own members for a predictable mass emergency.
Not only that... The Mormons sent 26 semi-trucks full of food, clothing and medical supplies to help anyone affected by Katrina (not just other Mormons). Most of those trucks were headed to the area before the storm even hit. I suspect they've done the same with Harvey.
The city of Houston was not even ordered to evacuate. No one predicted a disaster on this scale so I don't think it's fair to criticize Olsteen for not having a plan in place. If the church is flooded as some of the photos suggest, then there is obviously safety concerns so sounds like he have wanted to use the church as a last resort when more safe facilities were beyond capacity. Also, a lesson from Katrina should be remembered. Just opening a massive arena like the Superdome for people without adequate planning, supplies and people can result in horrible conditions. What happens when there are not enough bathrooms for everyone and people just have to go right out in the open, for example? That can spread disease and water just makes it more dangerous.
I'm not going to rush to judge Olsteen here because I don't know all the facts. If the church building could truly be a safe haven then Olsteen is clearly in the wrong and failing at the most important commandment, to love and help others. Sitting cozy in a million dollar home and tweeting out a quick message telling people to pray comes off pretty callous.
Jeff
Yesterday I was thinking that you have not been on this forum lately and was hoping all is well with you. Yes Katrina taught several lessons, the other one is to rescue pets along with their people. I mostly agree with your last paragraph. People may look at Osteen harsh because he has gotten so rich off of religion.
All these phony christian preachers in Texas should open their churches up.
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