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Padres1969
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Actually the most prominent thing on Joel’s stage… is Joel.
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CatholicFireman
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Starwarsfan2
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Joel olsteen is a prosperity theology teacher ,don’t listen to his false teaching .
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Trad_Catholic27
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Joel Osteen is not a Catholic priest or Catholic layman trained by the Church. that fact alone should be a grave warning about the theological errors that are said by teleevangelists. It is unwise for people to listen to anything he says since he seems to care more about money than Christ.
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Faith1960
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I’ve watched him a few times and have bought 3 or 4 of his books. I find him helpful, but i agree that his living in a mansion is too much.
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JustaServant
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Mystrx
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Frankly I’m not a fan of his. He seems more interested in his own self promotion than God. My advice forget about that clown Joel. There’s only one man preaching you need to hear and he’s in your parish church. 
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BernadetteM
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My good friend (or was until we seemed to disagree on some minor religious point) attends a mega church, her cousin “the pope” started it. It is just as been described, large stage, band, screens etc.
A few years ago I looked it up on YELP and at that time most reviews were favorable, well due to her turning her back on many years of friendship over something I can’t even remember what it was, I decided to try YELP again. Big surprise 90% of the many reviews were very negative and said that the pope J was teaching Joel Olsteen’s gospel.
Several who had been there for many years and had given much service, even some who had been employees stated that they were treated badly and all had left the church for a smaller one that taught Christ.
Yes many are fooled by the promises they hear, however, over time many see that they have been duped. The pope and his wife also make over $100,000 a year.
My friend has told me things about the pastor and his wife that didn’t look to be Christian, however, I really feel she is brainwashed. She is actually sweet, but can’t think for herself and it is sad to see a friend who buys into what someone tells her.
This is not the first time she has turned her back on our friendship and I never know why, I just pray for her.
Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Bernadette
A few years ago I looked it up on YELP and at that time most reviews were favorable, well due to her turning her back on many years of friendship over something I can’t even remember what it was, I decided to try YELP again. Big surprise 90% of the many reviews were very negative and said that the pope J was teaching Joel Olsteen’s gospel.
Several who had been there for many years and had given much service, even some who had been employees stated that they were treated badly and all had left the church for a smaller one that taught Christ.
Yes many are fooled by the promises they hear, however, over time many see that they have been duped. The pope and his wife also make over $100,000 a year.
My friend has told me things about the pastor and his wife that didn’t look to be Christian, however, I really feel she is brainwashed. She is actually sweet, but can’t think for herself and it is sad to see a friend who buys into what someone tells her.
This is not the first time she has turned her back on our friendship and I never know why, I just pray for her.
Yours in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary
Bernadette
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Faith1960
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I have a former friend who used to talk about her church (Lutheran quite a bit, this was before I returned to the Church. After I did she got it in a couple digs and stopped calling me back.
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AnneElizabeth
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I understand your frustration, but I think 7 sorrows has a point. Even in the Scriptures Jesus says not to cast down those using His name, as a good deed done in His name helps The Kingdom. In time, when continuing searching, people will learn by the Holy Spirit’s guidance those who are charletons or not.
I remember a person on this forum saying that they found out the priest who helped them immensely in some matter turned out to be a child molester. As long as one doesn’t make the speaker ‘god’, but listens and seeks after God’s Will with all their heart, strength, soul and might, I think eventually what is false will be made evident, and growth will ensue.
Sometimes, all people have are people like Joel Olsteen. Let’s not hold back anyone searching for God. All of us start somewhere. Sometimes what seems like the wrong place is the only place God can get a soul to for the time being.
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AnneElizabeth
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I second this, plus ask the priest for some act of reparation. + Do the act of reparation.
+Fear God. The beginning of wisdom comes when we fear God.
Better to fear God than seek comfort from lying tongues.
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Sirach2
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I see that you are correct, with his plea for support on his website. But I honestly have never seen any such requests on his TV broadcasts, and I’ve seen many of them. As for the link, it simply says there is little transparency, unlike the other evangelists, most of whom are “red-flagged!”
While we are on the topic, I just left EWTN, whom I noted has increased their ads on TV asking for donations, particularly from Fr. Joseph Wolfe. Some ministries need help, and it is not wrong to ask for it, to support the work of the gospel. My main objection is from those evangelists who end every program with a request to call the 800 number and plant one’s seed in order to gain God’s answer to their prayer. Ugh! Worse yet, they say it is disobedience not to respond with a certain $$ amount. It’s one thing to ask, but another to imply so strongly that prayer must be accompanied by money before God will answer.
As for Joel, is it a sin to live in a mansion? Many of our saints were immensely wealthy. As their faith and spirituality grew, they used their wealth to benefit others. We know not how he uses his income; after all, he also has many royalties from his books. The only harm I see is if, like the rich man in the gospel, he starts to build more barns to store his goods.
Is his preaching ALL BAD? I have been helped with his many bible references, together with his frequent use of interesting parables that shed light on personal difficulties. I have not heard programs where he speaks of doctrinal differences, nor does he denigrate other faiths EVER. So I would say he is safe enough to listen to occasionally.
Some here have said that Joel is full of himself. That may seem to be true. Does anyone believe that Catholic personalities are immune to being “full of themselves?” There are some on EWTN that appall me so much that I will not even consider a donation.
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Trad_Catholic27
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Sirach2
There is a big difference between giving to EWTN founded by Mother Angelica as a television station which is run by a majorty of Franciscans Fairs who are funded by the USCCB and their lay staff committee.
Then to some johnny come lately who thinks that reading a bible and hosting a rock concert is going to bring people to Christ which never works.
There is a big difference between giving to EWTN founded by Mother Angelica as a television station which is run by a majorty of Franciscans Fairs who are funded by the USCCB and their lay staff committee.
Then to some johnny come lately who thinks that reading a bible and hosting a rock concert is going to bring people to Christ which never works.
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AnneElizabeth
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I’m giggling a bit because I can think of one whom I really can’t stand whom I do not know why he’s allowed a stage to speak he seems so full of himself and his words seem like his ideas he wishes to spread. God forgive me!.., but sometimes I do think “God forgive him! He doesn’t know what he is saying!” None of us are immune to pride. I don’t think its much different for a catholic network or a protestant one. Or even using message boards… We are told every word we utter will be judged in the end.
When I first converted I feared for those on EWTN because I did not see how it was conducive to the Faith and that having such a place on tv could be dangerous to the soul and those souls following placing faith in them. After hearing of so many scandals with hosts- religious hosts at that, I believe this is true. This is not to put down those who work for EWTN… I think its a blessing. I pray God keeps them safe and immune from the temptations. It can’t be easy.
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Sirach2
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To each their own. I’m simply saying that ALL will ask for money, at one time or another. As to their motives, God alone sees the heart. I’ve just seen an urgent (demand?) for contributions to the DivineOffice.org. It used to be a free service, but they, too, have joined the ranks of those asking for help.
Joel’s service is not a *rock concert. * And each program ends with an appeal to give one’s heart to Christ. You have no idea how many have gone to Christ through his ministry True, it is not equal to our faith, not even close, but these sheep are still a part of the fold that is loved by Christ, and whom He desires to bring into our faith. We are not permitted to play the Pharisee before them, as though they are unworthy of the glance of Christ because their faith is yet imperfect.
As for EWTN, I am not aware that USCCB funds this broadcast. Do you have a reference? For the most part EWTN is a worthy website, barring the few that spoil the apple barrel.
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Trad_Catholic27
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It’s quite obvious that they are because after Mother Angelica was forced to give up control of the network after her fight against the archbishop of Los Angeles. EWTN made a peace deal with the USCCB for the USCCB to help them spread their influence though out the Catholic media world.
Now instead of being a humble television network they are now involved with Facebook,Twitter and YouTube at the same time refusing to report on the crisis of Faith within Catholicism.
Now instead of being a humble television network they are now involved with Facebook,Twitter and YouTube at the same time refusing to report on the crisis of Faith within Catholicism.
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Sirach2
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That was 25 years ago or so. I seriously doubt the USCCB is subsidizing them at this time. You ought not to spread that rumor without knowing it to be entirely true.
That may be your opinion, but it is unfounded. Again rumors such as this do a lot of harm to sensitive people.…at the same time refusing to reportconfused
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7_Sorrows
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I agree. I would rather these people be listening to Joel Osteen and reading their Bibles and trying to better themselves than at the racetrack or at the casino or the local bar or selling drugs. they may not be getting the fullness of the faith, but they are trying to feed their spiritual lives and follow Christ.
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Reuben_J
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I am cautious about the opinion of our fellow Catholics who condemn Joel because he is rich. It could easily lead to judgment.As for Joel, is it a sin to live in a mansion? Many of our saints were immensely wealthy. As their faith and spirituality grew, they used their wealth to benefit others. We know not how he uses his income; after all, he also has many royalties from his books. The only harm I see is if, like the rich man in the gospel, he starts to build more barns to store his goods.
I did mention that he was talented. People bought his books and listened to his preaching. I can hardly say that it is a sin. Obviously he is not on the same scale as our priests or perhaps with a vow of poverty. I would give him the benefit of doubt since I do not know his heart.
I love listening to his preaching. Not so much of his doctrine but rather his presentation and how he could speak fluently on topics that touch on the ordinariness of our lives - some down to earth practical experiences. There may be things that I may not agree completely with him but as one who often speaks to the people, his positive and lively style interests me. It is true, he does not denigrate other faith.
Unfortunately, you are right. We find people like that quite commonly in our own backyard.
Perhaps it would be better to discuss which part of Joel’s teaching that Catholics do not agree with or which are just simply wrong. Though I don’t know where would that lead to since he is not a Catholic to begin with.
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