Despite Poll Numbers to Pray For, NBC Sneers at Power of Prayer

Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show/NewsBusters power-of-prayer ping.

[verity]

"by telling Americans how to lead a better life, Osteen will certainly be able to live . . . the good life."

I do not see this statement as an untruth.

[craig_eddy]

"there's no question: by telling Americans how to lead a better life, Osteen will certainly be able to live . . . the good life."

When oh WHEN will basic capitistic, free-enterprise economics ever be taught to our children again?

[ClearCase_guy]

It's a pretty safe bet that Katie Couric is richer than Osteen.
It's also true that Osteen makes people feel good and hopeful.
But Katie's job is to make people fearful and worried about the future (tune in tomorrow to see if we're still OK!)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

For me, the key was Today's cynical focus on the economics of the deal and the not-so-subtle implication that Osteen was in it strictly for the money. Short shrift was given to the actual message of the book.

[WKB]

Prayer BTTT

[governsleastgovernsbest]

In terms of both being fair and providing viewers with useful information rather than a cynical view of religion, wouldn't it have been more constructive to have invited Osteen on to discuss his message?

If in the course of the interview they wanted to ask him about the economics, etc., that would have been fine, and viewers could have judged for themselves. But the way it was presented, it was close to saying "just another rip-off artist like Bakker and Swaggart."

[WV Mountain Mama]

Yes, but the implication after showing pictures of Swaggert and Bakker is that anyone who makes money while preaching the Word is a crook and in it only for the money.

[normy]

"by telling Americans how to lead a better life, Osteen will certainly be able to live . . . the good life."

I love the hypocrisy of the media. They tell us what to eat, what to wear, who to vote for, who's good, who's bad, all to help us lead, in their opinion, a better life. They also make huge amounts of money in doing so.

Osteen may just be another Tony Robbins but Tony Robbins makes a pretty nice living too, why can't Osteen?

Of course the question that arises from a Christian standpoint is that if Osteen is including instruction from God or any revelation from God in his book, why is he selling it. Freely he has received, freely he should give.

[BenLurkin]

NBC found a reason to display photos of disgraced televangelists Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart.

Shows where their head is at.

[Phrostie]

"there's no question: by telling Americans how to lead a better life, Osteen will certainly be able to live . . . the good life."

Is that a crime, or is Finkelstein just envious?
.......I wonder.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Exactly. What was the purpose of this other than guilt by association?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

You are TOTALLY misreading the column. The point is exactly the opposite. I wasn't suggesting any negative motives on Osteen's part, but that the Today show was displaying its own cynicism about religion. Please re-read column.

[verity]

Unfortunately, I tend to be cynical as a direct result of long term exposure to mankind's foibles.

[Fintan]

If the Today Show isn't TV evangelism, I don't know what is...

[verity]

Does normy make a valid point?

[Carolinamom]

I wouldn't change places w/this dreary lot of money-centered and hate-filled cynics for all the money in the world.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I'm not criticizing a healthy dose of critical thinking. But Today's presentation was so totally lopsided. You think they might have taken some time to focus on Osteen's message. But no, it was just one, unsubtle suggestion that he's just the latest huckster in the line.

[highlander_UW]

I can't stand Osteen, but the size of his book deal has no bearing on the value of what he's written or the lack thereof.