Posted on 04/30/2007 6:49:17 AM PDT by Gamecock
So you know how Lakewood Church pastors Joel and Victoria Osteen have taken a vow of poverty, right? Yeah, yeah, we're kidding — but if you're anything like Houstonist, you've wondered at one time or another exactly how much the Osteens are worth. (Go ahead, admit it.) Turns out we're not the only ones: Reginald McKamie, the attorney for Continental flight attendant Sharon Brown, asked a judge yesterday to make the Osteens' net worth public in the event of a judgment against Victoria Osteen. This all has to do, of course, with the lawsuit that Brown filed against Victoria Osteen relating to the infamous December 2005 incident in which Mrs. Osteen was reportedly kicked off a Continental plane after freaking out because someone had spilled liquid on her first-class seat.
In case you've forgotten, Victoria Osteen reportedly went ballistic while preparing for a flight to Vail on Dec. 19, 2005. She complained about the liquid on her seat, then (according to a fellow passenger) "violently ran toward the cockpit, scaring everyone around her. ... A bunch of flight attendants ran up and had to restrain her. She was banging on the door [of the cockpit]." During that melee, Brown claims Mrs. Osteen pushed her and elbowed her in the left breast; Osteen — first by herself, then through high-powered lawyer Rusty Hardin — maintains that nothing really happened. And the move to publicize the Osteens' wealth is just another attempt to keep the incident in the news, Hardin told KTRK: "It has been nothing but about money and publicity," he said. "[Brown has] gotten her 15 minutes of fame — or 15 seconds, but she's gotten more than 15 seconds — and she's seeking money she's never going to get." But the money is the key, McKamie replied: "If money is the only thing that will get Victoria Osteen's attention so that she doesn't do this to anybody else, then that's what we need to do."
Osteen, via Hardin, still insists the incident didn't happen as reported: In court yesterday, Hardin told the judge that the Osteens left the plans voluntarily after the incident (or non-incident, depending on whom you ask) and were not kicked off — though witnesses on the plane and the FBI said exactly the opposite. A trial date hasn't been set for the suit, but we're sure the trial — if one occurs — will be fun to watch.
Wife of Joel Osteen Asked to Leave Plane
Wife of Joel Osteen Asked to Leave Plane
(Similar threads with legs of their own)
People who attend their “Church” in the name of Christianity may just as well attend the Church of the Law of Attraction, or the Church of “The Secret”.
These type televangelists simply place a christian spin on the law of attraction and things you learn from the Secret.
BUT yet Christian friends will state “The Secret” is against Christian teachings and are blasphemus. I would say to them than why are you supporting the Osteen “Church” and buying their books, videos, and tapes?
They are millionaires under the guise of tax exempt, non-profit status and they get away with it.
If you want to sell that junk and be a millionaire don’t do it under the false guise of tax-exempt! Or as a “Church”.
Their personal fortunes are NOT tax exempt!
I am not an Osteen fan.
Y’know, I’m not going to question Joel Osteen’s Christian credentials—I don’t know what’s in the guy’s heart. I have no reason to doubt that he is a sincere Christian.
But God forgive me, I CANNOT watch him for longer than a few minutes. He creeps me out. The odd mannerisms, the weird look, the fixed smile, the voice...he just gives me the willies!
}:-)4
God’s Word is free. Anyone who charges anything for it is guilty of Simony............
They sell a commodity they call "Jesus" in a more comfortable and easy-to-use format than the original.
However, barriers to entry in this line of business are low - since the Scriptures are public domain documents, anyone can compete.
So, to differentiate their product from competitors, branding and packaging are essential.
Victoria Osteen is learning that her personal behavior reflects on her status as a product sponsor and that their product's brand equity may suffer as a result of her behavior.
What does the Osteen’s worth have to do with damages, if any, that the attendant suffered?
This is true, but people look to a church for community. That does take money.
I don’t know anything about this man, but I do know that when it comes to a church community, we must support it with cash. And actually are commanded to give our “First Fruits”.
I love giving money to support my church. Our pastor drives an old truck, but we have kids programs, senior clubs and family sports days. All of which is supported by my weekly envelope.
The one thing that has NEVER made sense to me is why, if they are as wealthy as most people seem to think, are they flying commercial in the first place?
Some poor law suit winner is still waiting for his check from Al Sharpton.
Sounds like an awfully premature request and more of an effort in financial voyeurism . First, win the plaintiff must win his case and get a judgement. If a claim of inability to pay the judgement is made by the defendant, then and only then is a review made, and even then it may be done privately.
When Joseph was thrown into prison in Egypt and later encountered Pharoah’s baker and butler he interpreted dreams each one had.
Joseph preached the blessing to the butler and did not shrink back from preaching the curse to the baker.
Joel Osteen preaches butler’s sermons only. He does not have the faith of Joseph!
I wonder who owns the church building (the Houston Rocket’s old NBA venue, Compaq Center).
I don't know for certain.
Were I a gambler, which I am not, I would bet the following:
That the Compaq center is owned by a corporation or an LLC.
That the majority partner/shareholder in the corporation/LLC is the Lakewood Church.
That the Lakewood Church not only controls the voting of shares through its majority stake, but, if Compaq Center is a corporation, it also retains the right to name the majority of the corporation's board of directors.
That the chairman of the board that lakewood has named is Joel Osteen.
Rick Warren uses similar legal maneuvering to make it appear as if he donates most of his income.
A few months ago, there was a thread about Osteen. Said his father was a minister and that he was in charge of the TV and video production side of the father’s operation. But there also was an analysis of an interview he did with Larry King, I believe, where he was repeatedly challenged to state his belief in God and more specifically in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. If I am correct, he skillfully avoided the questions with circular reasoning.
Intentional tort = punitive damages. You have to know the worth of the defendant to know how high the damages have to be to hurt.
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