Joel Osteen: Televangelist whose church closed during Hurricane Harvey tells victims not to have 'Poor Me' Attitude

Oh ok, he inspires people, well that's fine then. I don't mind if he continues to hawk his books to tens of thousands of captive followers every week under the guise actually giving two shits about them. Yes, our society does put entertainers on a pedestal but that isn't what we're talking about here. Osteen isn't an entertainer.

I actually do have a problem with artists and athletes raking in the kind of money that they do. I think it's a little ridiculous. But, I understand that those industries generate enormous amounts of money and I get why so much of it goes to the performer. The big difference here is, Aaron Rodgers doesn't represent an organization that claims jurisdiction over my soul. If I'm not a Packers fan, I don't have to worry about burning in hell. If I don't listen to Ed Sheeran, nobody is (seriously) going to tell me that I'm headed for eternal damnation because of it. Wealthy athletes and artists occupy a completely different space than wealthy pastors.

Yes, Osteen probably has done far more to help people than anyone in this thread. I'm not attacking that. I'm attacking how he clearly uses his status and influence as a religious leader to build an enormous fortune. That isn't how it works in any version of religion that I'm aware of.

/r/nottheonion Thread Parent Link - newsweek.com