Posted on 12/20/2005 4:08:06 PM PST by truthandlife
A dispute that involved the wife of Houston's most famous pastor, Joel Osteen, and a Continental Airlines flight attendant ended up delaying a flight for hours Monday. And now, Victoria Osteen's actions on that flight are in the spotlight. Also on ABC13.com: Send us a news tip | RSS feeds | ABC13 E-lert | Info mentioned on air Statements from Lakewood and Continental Following the incident on Continental flight 1602 Monday, both Lakewood Church and Continental Airlines released these statements. The Osteens run the largest church in the nation, so passengers on a Continental flight were shocked Monday when Mrs. Osteen was removed from that flight after a disturbance.
Taking time off from the high profile hustle and bustle of running a mega-church, Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen and his family boarded Continental flight 1602 Monday morning at Houston's big airport. They were bound for the slopes in Colorado.
Their trip was delayed and so was the entire flight by almost two hours. Fellow passengers blame the popular Osteens, specifically Joel's wife, Victoria.
According to passenger accounts, the Osteens were sitting in first class. Soon after the plane's door was closed, the FBI says Victoria Osteen was removed following what Continental would call only a disturbance. The Osteens' spokesman confirms it involved a flight attendant, but that's all. However, one passenger tells Eyewitness News she was alerted to the front of the plane when she heard a commotion.
"She violently ran towards the cockpit, scaring everyone around her," said passenger Knicky Van Slyke. "Everyone was terrified about what was going on. And a bunch of flight attendants ran up and had to restrain her. She was banging on the door."
"Of the cockpit?" we asked.
"Yes."
Passengers say Victoria was removed first. Joel and the children followed. Meantime, everyone waited.
"They unloaded all the luggage to get their luggage and deplaned her, Joel, and the kids," said passenger Dawn Dixon.
Passenger Chad Clay said, "They kept telling us they were waiting on some passengers to find their luggage underneath in the plane, and it was going to be delayed for looking for that luggage."
According to the Transportation Security Administration, federal air marshals were never involved. Local authorities also know nothing of this event. Continental would not discuss details.
The Osteens' spokesman denies a physical altercation, denies Victoria ever banged on the cockpit door, and says she left on her own.
"The account of the event which has come to our attention is inaccurate and overblown. The misunderstanding was minor and was resolved when Victoria voluntarily removed herself from the situation," read the statement.
The FBI says it was not voluntary. Though agents are not investigating, they will review the incident as the Osteens enjoy their Colorado vacation.
The Osteens' spokesman says they took another flight to Colorado Monday.
Nobody has been charged. As for the FBI's involvement, we're told it's standard procedure for them to review all passenger removal incidents. According to Continental, this one is a closed case.
Pastor Joel Osteen preaches to an average of 40,000 people a week at Lakewood Church services. Lakewood opened in the former home of the Rockets, Compaq Center, back in July. It took $90 million and a year and a half of renovations. Osteen's ministry is taped and aired around the world.
You ain't too bad yourself. :-)
I live in close to a half million dollar home and I am involved in the ministry. My homes value has gone way up in the past five years. (4/2 1900 sq ft). I also believe Joel does not get a salary from the church but from the sale of his book. As far as people selling tickets and people wiling to pay $100 I think the buyer is nutty.
Amen.
no tithes
What! You don't support FR? ;)
That's her favorite sermon ;o)
a. A liar;
b. Mentally deranged (ie. believes him/herself to be "non-judgmental" but is in practice usually the exact opposite - if you doubt me I'll give you a letter of introduction to my ex; or
Is not using his brain
Any other questions?
Didn't think so....
So only non-charismatics preach the "true" word. By the way, Bakker has repented and restored into ministry, If that is okay with you. He served his time and was actually put in jail for what the airlines do everyday... overbook.
Rock, be rocked, or step aside.
Also note on the home page it is "Osteen's message".
oh yeah, how truly selfless of him...I guess I was wrong - he gets nothing from his preaching, nothing, not a penny, no sireeeee!!!
Get a different job.
*laughing* Oh, I support FR financially, but to pray around here doesn't cost any more than time. :)
I didn't realize it was your job to do that unless he is just YOUR hired preacher. I assume he is YOUR employee and you need to make sure he is doing what you deem is right.
Do you also like that they were flying 1st class, going to Vail to ski....? Nice use of tithes. I am sure Jesus would have flown first class and vacationed in Vail....
Thanks. It must have been a short ski trip planned.
It seems you know a lot about all of these different people. What do you spend your time doing, leading others to Jesus or heresy hunting on the internet?
Victoria is such a babe.... mad or not. Bet this spices up the Osteens love nest too.
He had a treasurer Judas and told the disciples to go and buy food for the five thousand.
Yyyyyyep. You know 'em all right.
Don't be smug with me, slick. You're an amateur.
You aren't dealing with "facts" here and you damned well know it.
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