People who truely seek God aren't interested in taking the scenic route. They want a place where they can learn about the ways of the master and quietly reflect on what they've learned. Just like you would study in school.

Thats pretty hard to do when the worship service resembles a circus. These big time churches are nothing but a sensory overload. It will be hard to find your center when so many things are calling your senses out and into the world.

There are many decievers who wear the robes of religion.

This, is what I'm trying to call attention to here.



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Destroyer Of Worlds

Its fine to get a little entertainement. But when money comes into the picture, its time to go elsewhere.

Jesus had a thing about money changers in the temple.

So do I.



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Destroyer Of Worlds

I enjoy Olsteen too, and I don't recall him ever asking for money on what I saw on tv. Sure he needs money to continue. So do all the churches and everytime I have attended church services that's what I hear. I don't hear the uplifting talk that Joel does on his program. Usually it's some talk that makes me guilty, sad or just indifferent. There are many ways that people are called to Jesus, and Olsteen is one of them.

So what you are saying is that if people don't seek out a relationship with God in a way that mirrors your own, then they are not authentic in their desires? I find that somewhat hypocritical. I agree that there are people who are exploitative all over the world, in the name of religion, but I have a really hard time with your hardline prescription for people's paths to God. I have always been skeptical of organized religion, specifically the kind of which you speak, but I don't begrudge others, nor do I judge others and feel the need to voice my indignations about HOW they choose to find their paths to Him.

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I don't know much... but I know I luv you...
& that may be all I need to know!

I atch him occaisionally I think he has a failry positive message....I take from it what i find usefull and leave the rhetoric behind

Yeah Hotteach, I think so too.. I understand him better then others.

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I don't know much... but I know I luv you...
& that may be all I need to know!

That's is not Joel's salary! LOL He is actually videographer. That was his position, before his father passed and he was called to preach instead of his brother Dr Paul who quit his practice and moved back home to Houston to take over the church. He is in no danger of being investigated for "financial irregularities", nor is Lakewood Church as a whole.

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If u actually take the time to go to a service, you would see that it is not a "circus type event" It's quite organized, goes the same as other churches, starts with benidiction, followed by prayer, a and b selection from the choir, then (the best part of going to a filmed service) an exact 25min sermon!!!!!!, followed by the opening of the doors to the church and then you go home.

Lakewood started out a little bitty shack of a church started by the late Pastor John Osteen and Doti. It grew over the years, built a second church this one brick, kept on growing, started on radio, built the big circular church, started with tv, continued to grow and grow, filling up 3 sunday services, and wednesdays and friday. Won in a bid for the Compaq center, and still filling up all services, even moreso that now parking and traffic are so much better.

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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!! There is noooo charge to go to a church service!!!!! Those are special concert events u are speaking of. Of u go to the church in Houston there is no charge. It is free to go hear God's word!!!!!!!!!!! God is free always free!

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They may charge for people to attend when they travel, probably because of the fee for the facility to handle such large crowds. I would pay $10 to hear him in person and to help pay for the building rent. This guy is not like other evangelists. At least I hope so, because his message is different, and you don't hear about need for money.

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I don't know much... but I know I luv you...
& that may be all I need to know!

I just don't think about it like that..he is a motivational speaker and i people want to pay for that I don't have a problem with it...whats the big deal

exactly "tickets" thats special events, not church service, you don't need a ticket to go to church

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There was a 3 page article about him and Lakewood Church on AOL this morning. It was very informative. They are in debt for the church by millions and yet as I said he doesn't ask for money. He gives 50% of what he makes on his books, etc. to the church and other charities. He does not take a salary from the church. I am still impressed with him even after seeing the pics of their 5000 sq foot home.