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Look Mike, I've been there, the only recreation during a year-long deployment to nowhere being a little web surfing and emailing, but get some rest now.

You've got a lot more important things to do (I am sure) than this.

I stand by my opinion that Osteen looks and sounds to me like a huckster.

Don't like it? Well, you're entitled to your own opinion. And so am I.

P.S. That guilt trip thing don't work with me. Its just a crutch used to beat people into line with.

What was that Jesse Ventura said a few years back?

"Organized religion is a crutch for the weak?"

Yup, it sure offended me back then. But it doesn't any more. Turns out Jesse was right.

God hates "religion". He wants a relationship, it's all about a personal relationship with Christ. But we must ask God for that relationship, in Christ's name.

Some people are gifted to teach the Bible the way it was meant to be taught - literally, and word by word. Others as you say it, are hucksters...

Best,

Yup, it sure offended me back then. But it doesn't any more. Turns out Jesse was right.

First of all, I am NOT in Iraq any longer. Secondly, if you think you are weak, you will bash those who you see as stronger than you are. And I wouldn't call my Pentecostal Father and Mother in Laws weak by any STRETCH of the imagination.....

What was that Jesse Ventura said a few years back?

"Organized religion is a crutch for the weak?"

Yup, it sure offended me back then. But it doesn't any more. Turns out Jesse was right.

_____

Too bad ol' Jesse ever tried actual righteousness. Tramples religion in the dust every day of the week and twice on Sunday.

I can see where you're comin from and I can't say I blame you; I know lotsa folks been burned by churches and "Christian" people. I've even known some of the "Christians" doing the burning; lots of their kind slingin mud around this thread, too (not lumping you in with that group depsite your opinions of Osteen, btw).

At some point I think you've got to just square yourself with G_d, pursue righteousness in His eyes without regard to what anyone else thinks, and then maybe poke around for a handful of like-minded souls you can fellowship with. There are people like that among the organized churches, but too many knotheads in the same crowd can make em really hard to find.

Bottom line: without denigration, don't let the misbehavior of some of G_d's immature kids distance you from Him.