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Jury seated in lawsuit against Osteen's wife
AT&T ^ | August 6, 2008 | n/a

Posted on 08/06/2008 4:58:12 PM PDT by fkabuckeyesrule

HOUSTON (AP) - A jury was seated Wednesday in a lawsuit alleging the wife of nationally known pastor Joel Osteen assaulted a flight attendant.

Opening arguments were set for Thursday in a case Victoria Osteen's lawyer called "silly." But Reginald McKamie, attorney for Continental Airlines flight attendant Sharon Brown, said he hopes the trial will show "that celebrity status doesn't take precedence."

Brown accuses Victoria Osteen of assaulting her before the start of a 2005 flight from Houston to Vail, Colo. Brown alleges Victoria Osteen threw her against a bathroom door and elbowed her in the left breast during an angry outburst over a stain on her first-class seat. The Federal Aviation Administration fined Victoria Osteen $3,000 for interfering with a crew member.

Joel Osteen was at his wife's side Wednesday in court. McKamie said he expected to call the couple as witnesses.

Joel Osteen preaches at Lakewood Church, a Houston megachurch where about 42,000 people flock each week and where Victoria Osteen is co-pastor. His weekly television address is broadcast nationally and internationally.

Some potential jurors during questioning admitted to being star-struck by the Osteens and that their respect for them might affect their judgment.

"He has gotten me through a lot of tough times. I would believe what he has to say. I have a lot of respect for him," one female in the jury pool said.

Other potential jurors said they didn't like preachers or televangelists and that ministers can lie.

Brown wants an apology and punitive damages amounting to 10 percent of Victoria Osteen's net worth as part of her suit.

Victoria Osteen's lawyer, Rusty Hardin, said before jury selection began Wednesday that Brown's claims are false and that what happened was a "minor incident." Hardin also asked a judge to throw out an FAA report detailing the alleged incident, saying the agency's investigation was "incredibly incomplete."

"This is a very silly case," Hardin told reporters.

McKamie said the FAA did an appropriate investigation. State District Judge Patricia Hancock said she would make a decision later on whether the report would be allowed.

Brown's suit claims the flight attendants asked to have Victoria Osteen removed from the plane. Hardin says Victoria Osteen and her family left voluntarily. The incident delayed the flight about 2 1/2 hours.

According to court documents, Brown claims that she suffers from anxiety and hemorrhoids because of the incident and said her faith was affected. She is also suing Osteen for medical expenses for counseling.

Brown had previously claimed she was attacked in another incident by an airport employee, according to a deposition she gave in the case.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: crazywoman
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To: deport
The church takes in about a million dollars a week...

That is about the weekly budget for Second Baptist in Houston among the 4-5 campuses. Second Baptist is a very good church and have visited it a few times when in Houston over the weekend. Ed Young is an excellent speaker.

41 posted on 08/07/2008 7:26:02 PM PDT by SeaHawkFan
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To: fkabuckeyesrule
Osteen has received a Bachelor of Arts degree in television production but did not study theology or religion in college, and has never attended a theological seminary

fkabuckeyesrule Step right up.... We have a winner!

42 posted on 08/07/2008 7:29:07 PM PDT by Orange1998
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To: SeaHawkFan

Wow. And I thouht Rusty lost his touch after the Clemens fiasco.


43 posted on 08/07/2008 7:32:13 PM PDT by Orange1998
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To: Almondjoy
Explain “theologically very weak” if you wouldn’t mind.

Here is just one example:

Mormons are Christian?

44 posted on 08/07/2008 7:32:54 PM PDT by SeaHawkFan
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To: Orange1998

Didn’t notice Rusty Hardin was representing the Osteens. Might as well get one of the best if you can afford him.

Clemens was just stupid. Probably testified at the Congressional hearings against Hardin’s advice.


45 posted on 08/07/2008 7:37:40 PM PDT by SeaHawkFan
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To: Cedar

Is this the inspiration for the 10% figure?

tithe (t)
n.
1.
a. A tenth part of one’s annual income contributed voluntarily or due as a tax, especially for the support of the clergy or church.
b. The institution or obligation of paying tithes.
2. A tax or assessment of one tenth.
3.
a. A tenth part.
b. A very small part.
v. tithed, tith·ing, tithes
v.tr.
1. To contribute or pay a tenth part of (one’s annual income).
2. To levy a tithe on.
v.intr.
To pay a tithe.


46 posted on 08/07/2008 7:43:11 PM PDT by maggief
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To: SeaHawkFan
He had to give RC a heart to heart talk. Not to advise RC to drop the lawsuit is bad advice giving the facts known. As you know, one must choose his battles carefully. Today RC is back in the news.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5931221.html

47 posted on 08/07/2008 7:43:58 PM PDT by Orange1998
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To: Orange1998

Clemens is not going to win this lawsuit. It is merely window dressing so he can claim he was defamed and the court might toss it out because he is a “public figure” and the standard is more than simple negligence in order to prevail.

He will then say he lost on a ‘technicality’.


48 posted on 08/07/2008 8:01:18 PM PDT by SeaHawkFan
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To: SeaHawkFan

I never thought about it that way but you make a very good point.


49 posted on 08/07/2008 9:50:49 PM PDT by Almondjoy
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To: SeaHawkFan

Sounds more judgemental than anything.

But that figures.. most people would rather say what’s wrong about people than what’s right.

Who cares if he says “little details”.

Frankly is sounds like stupid petty stuff as always.

If you think Mormons are wrong great.. by hanging “little details”.. it sounds rather pathetic honestly.


50 posted on 08/07/2008 9:55:49 PM PDT by Almondjoy
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To: Orange1998

So he’s evil?


51 posted on 08/07/2008 10:01:50 PM PDT by Almondjoy
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To: Almondjoy
Do you not know much about Mormonism? There is not one Biblical scholar who would even suggest Mormon theology is compatible with the historic Christian faith.

If you want to read some more about Osteen’s weak theology, google “Joel Osteen” “weak” “theology”

You will get lots of hits, and many of them are articles by respected Bible scholars.

52 posted on 08/07/2008 10:01:57 PM PDT by SeaHawkFan
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To: Lijahsbubbe; Terriergal; Gamecock; Jeremiah Jr; Tax-chick
According to court documents, Brown claims that she suffers from anxiety and hemorrhoids because of the incident and said her faith was affected. She is also suing Osteen for medical expenses for counseling.

That Osteen woman may or may not have invited trouble upon herself, but this Brown gold-digger has a point about the anxiety and hemorrhoids. Remember when the Philistines took the ark to Ashdod? 1 Samuel 5!

2914 techor {tekh-ore'} from an unused root meaning to burn; TWOT - 803a; n m pl AV - emerods 8; 8 1) tumours, haemorrhoids

53 posted on 08/07/2008 10:20:33 PM PDT by Ezekiel (Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.)
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To: Ezekiel

Anxiety and hemorrhoids? Who knew? My grandmother always told me not to sit on cold cement! lol. I guess you learn something new (not necessarily useful) every day!


54 posted on 08/07/2008 10:31:16 PM PDT by Lijahsbubbe
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To: Ezekiel; Lijahsbubbe

My mother also said not to read on the toilet.

More exercise and a high-fiber diet would help Ms. Brown with all her symptoms.


55 posted on 08/08/2008 4:38:54 AM PDT by Tax-chick ("And the rum is for all your good vices.")
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To: fkabuckeyesrule

Hey, the preachers wife made her get “roids”.


56 posted on 08/08/2008 4:41:15 AM PDT by dforest (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: montag813
The Osteens are freaks. Like the vile Rick Warren, they almost never utter the word “Christ”.

Can't speak to Rick Warren but Joe Osteen sure makes up for not using Christ by using WEALTH instead, his main theme. And he seems to think certain sins are not his place to preach talk against because they are either too political or are even protected political speech. What little I know about Warren I'd say they are bot in for a hot time.

57 posted on 08/08/2008 10:21:55 AM PDT by Ron H. (If you don't stand for conservatism then you'll end up with socialism.)
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To: deport; Orange1998
I attended two services in their old location and personally I was disillusioned over the visits. I found them to be more like a well rehearsed theatrical event than a church service. We were told where to sit and when I asked the usher why I couldn't sit elsewhere he told that was not permitted. I later found out it was so that when the cameras were panning our sections it would make the church look full when indeed the church at the two events I attended were about 30-35% full. To say the least I have no plans to go back, ever. When I go to church I want to hear (all of) the word of God taught and preached. I can get motivational speaking elsewhere.
58 posted on 08/08/2008 10:35:18 AM PDT by Ron H. (If you don't stand for conservatism then you'll end up with socialism.)
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To: Cedar

Well, dang. Victoria gave the poor woman titty hemmoroids. I bet them things hurt.


59 posted on 08/08/2008 10:38:02 AM PDT by AppyPappy (If you aren't part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.)
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To: maggief

Ah, didn’t think about that! You might be right....what irony! She’s getting her tithes back — forget about the fact she didn’t pay tithes to the Osteens to begin with!


60 posted on 08/08/2008 11:16:44 AM PDT by Cedar
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