The doom of the rich, the blessing of the poor

[xoxoxoBruce]

From the Time link.

They caution against broad-brushing a wide spectrum that ranges from pastors who crassly solicit sky's-the-limit financial offerings from their congregations to those whose services tend more toward God-fueled self-help.

From the Christianity Today link.

For Osteen, Prosperity Gospel isn't a pejorative term:

"Does God want us to be rich?" he asks. "When I hear that word rich, I think people say, 'Well, he's preaching that everybody's going to be a millionaire.' I don't think that's it." Rather, he explains, "I preach that anybody can improve their lives. I think God wants us to be prosperous. I think he wants us to be happy. To me, you need to have money to pay your bills. I think God wants us to send our kids to college. I think he wants us to be a blessing to other people. But I don't think I'd say God wants us to be rich. It's all relative, isn't it?"
On the other side is the guy whose church rounds out the "largest four" list:

"This idea that God wants everybody to be wealthy?", [Rick] Warren snorts. "There is a word for that: baloney. It's creating a false idol. You don't measure your self-worth by your net worth. I can show you millions of faithful followers of Christ who live in poverty. Why isn't everyone in the church a millionaire?"

No they don't all agree, any more than all of any other religion, or group, for that matter.

Osteen is a boob, have you ever watched him preach? Half the time all he is doing is bragging.

[xoxoxoBruce]

No, I haven't watched him..... or any of the other TV preachers. Since you are not a Christian, why are you watching him?

[jester]

I've watched Joel Osteen several times - most of his sermons are more on the "uplifting" type side - he's an encourager to people. Not to say he doesn't get the basic message across, but he does it without blood vessels popping out on his face and his eyes bugging.

[skysidhe]

Originally Posted by jester

I've watched Joel Osteen several times - most of his sermons are more on the "uplifting" type side - he's an encourager to people. Not to say he doesn't get the basic message across, but he does it without blood vessels popping out on his face and his eyes bugging.

I've watched him once when my mother had him on. He dosn't make me cringe and is mild enough. As you say his messages are on the 'uplifting side' I am pessimisstic enough about TV evangelists to wonder when he too will be corrupted like the rest. I hope not.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Let me rephrase that: it doesn't have a simple answer.

If it did, I'd be able to figure it out myself, without asking him.

[yesman065]

Originally Posted by skysidhe

I am pessimisstic enough about TV evangelists to wonder when he too will be corrupted like the rest. I hope not.

Who says he hasn't already been?

It just bothers me that these guys get rich as shit from typically poor uneducated people.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

...
Since you are not a Christian, why are you watching him?

Because people can watch whatever the fuck they want? . . . What are you, the TV Police?

[xoxoxoBruce]

Pipe down, Fido.
I simply asked him why he watches if it bothers him. I don't believe it's required yet.
If he was hitting himself with a hammer, I'd also question that.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Pipe down, Fido.

Originally Posted by Wikipedia disambiguation page

• Fido is a Latin word meaning "I trust"
• Fog Investigation and Dispersal Operation (FIDO), a fog dispersal system developed in the second world war.
• Fido is a common name for a pet dog
• Mark 24 FIDO Torpedo or Mark XXIV mine, a US acoustic homing torpedo used during the Second World War
• fido.net is an Internet Service Provider
• Fido Solutions, the Canadian wireless cellphone carrier formerly known as Microcell
• Flight Dynamics Officer, for whom FIDO is the NASA Mission Control call sign
• FidoNet is a non-commercial computer network founded by Tom Jennings
• FIDO was the name of the BBS software developed by Tom Jennings which helped found the FidoNet Bulletin Board network
• FIDO is a coin classification (Freaks, Irregulars, Defects, Oddities)
• Claude, nicknamed Fido, from the computer and video game Grand Theft Auto III
• Fido (film) - a 2007 zombie film.
• Fido Dido is a cartoon character associated with 7 Up soft drink
• Fido (Media Downloader) is a free software scheduled media downloader for GNU/Linux.
• Fido (Band) are a punk/rock band from Melbourne, Australia
• Fido Explosives Detector is a portable explosives detector used extensively by the military for IED detection and people for explosives residue
• Fido is a common nickname for the Zimbabwean computer programming activist [Fidelis Gwokuda]
• FIDO is a military acronym for the phrase "Fuck It, Drive On" or "Forget It, Drive On." Most commonly used in Combat Arms or Special Forces.

[Flint]

I don't know that he doesn't have some reason to watch it. I can say that I don't agree with much of Christian messages, but I can get something out of them, if only that they provide food for thought.

Maybe I'm mulling over my interpretation of the materials, that they are presenting in a different way. Maybe I'm interested in trying to understand how they reached the conclusions they did. Maybe I find a common ground, and realize that we're saying the same things, with different terminology.

Maybe, in the case of a guy who is always talking about the seperation of Church and State, he might have some reason to study the philosophy of the people who will be passing the laws that will get crammed down his throat. That's a likely perspective.

At any rate, I think a wholesale avoidance of things that we disagree with is a horrible policy. So, in that sense, he should be watching the preacher that annoys him. Nobody gets anywhere by staying in their comfort zone, only subjecting themselves to things that they already agree with.

On the other hand, watching a bad example of something you say you disagree with, just to reinforce your objections, isn't exactly productive either.

However you slice it, it isn't a simple question at all. Let me rephrase that: it doesn't have a simple answer.

[lumberjim]

Originally Posted by Flint

At any rate, I think a wholesale avoidance of things that we disagree with is a horrible policy. So, in that sense, he should be watching the preacher that annoys him. Nobody gets anywhere by staying in their comfort zone, only subjecting themselves to things that they already agree with.

You'll be watching some gay pr0n now, then?

[Sundae]

Actually, I am the TV Police.
I'm watching what you're watching Flint - watch out.

[freshnesschronic]

Intriguing.

I agree with Flint on this one. If I want to watch High School Music for the 4th time in a month then shiet, I will, for the complex reason of no particular reason.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Fine, watch it all you want. But if you then come here and bitch about how annoying it is, expect someone to question why you keep watching it. Duh