Posted on 12/20/2005 4:08:06 PM PST by truthandlife
A dispute that involved the wife of Houston's most famous pastor, Joel Osteen, and a Continental Airlines flight attendant ended up delaying a flight for hours Monday. And now, Victoria Osteen's actions on that flight are in the spotlight. Also on ABC13.com: Send us a news tip | RSS feeds | ABC13 E-lert | Info mentioned on air Statements from Lakewood and Continental Following the incident on Continental flight 1602 Monday, both Lakewood Church and Continental Airlines released these statements. The Osteens run the largest church in the nation, so passengers on a Continental flight were shocked Monday when Mrs. Osteen was removed from that flight after a disturbance.
Taking time off from the high profile hustle and bustle of running a mega-church, Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen and his family boarded Continental flight 1602 Monday morning at Houston's big airport. They were bound for the slopes in Colorado.
Their trip was delayed and so was the entire flight by almost two hours. Fellow passengers blame the popular Osteens, specifically Joel's wife, Victoria.
According to passenger accounts, the Osteens were sitting in first class. Soon after the plane's door was closed, the FBI says Victoria Osteen was removed following what Continental would call only a disturbance. The Osteens' spokesman confirms it involved a flight attendant, but that's all. However, one passenger tells Eyewitness News she was alerted to the front of the plane when she heard a commotion.
"She violently ran towards the cockpit, scaring everyone around her," said passenger Knicky Van Slyke. "Everyone was terrified about what was going on. And a bunch of flight attendants ran up and had to restrain her. She was banging on the door."
"Of the cockpit?" we asked.
"Yes."
Passengers say Victoria was removed first. Joel and the children followed. Meantime, everyone waited.
"They unloaded all the luggage to get their luggage and deplaned her, Joel, and the kids," said passenger Dawn Dixon.
Passenger Chad Clay said, "They kept telling us they were waiting on some passengers to find their luggage underneath in the plane, and it was going to be delayed for looking for that luggage."
According to the Transportation Security Administration, federal air marshals were never involved. Local authorities also know nothing of this event. Continental would not discuss details.
The Osteens' spokesman denies a physical altercation, denies Victoria ever banged on the cockpit door, and says she left on her own.
"The account of the event which has come to our attention is inaccurate and overblown. The misunderstanding was minor and was resolved when Victoria voluntarily removed herself from the situation," read the statement.
The FBI says it was not voluntary. Though agents are not investigating, they will review the incident as the Osteens enjoy their Colorado vacation.
The Osteens' spokesman says they took another flight to Colorado Monday.
Nobody has been charged. As for the FBI's involvement, we're told it's standard procedure for them to review all passenger removal incidents. According to Continental, this one is a closed case.
Pastor Joel Osteen preaches to an average of 40,000 people a week at Lakewood Church services. Lakewood opened in the former home of the Rockets, Compaq Center, back in July. It took $90 million and a year and a half of renovations. Osteen's ministry is taped and aired around the world.
The 40K could represent total membership, not attendance at one service. Also, it's likely that this church has more than one worship service on Sunday mornings. If they have two, and the arena is full, Osteen is preaching to 30K plus each Sunday. If they have three services, he (or the assistant pastors) are preaching to over 40K each Sunday.
They pull in millions and live the high life, so why should anyone be surprised that they act like Hollywood celebrities? Now, how that meshes with Jesus's direction to "take up your cross and follow Me," is problematical.
Interesting bit of irony there, what, without the capital 'G' and all.
Dude, if I dressed up like one of the characters of Hee-Haw, and tried to pass myself off as genuine, all the while talking with the staccato formality of an Old World Aristocrat, you'd be laughing me off the stage...
wow what we can learn from a simple thread....
it's on display here.....
Some on here want to bang on them because they happen to be rich. Since WHEN does such a socialist though pervade this stie?
Some on here want to say that since he is a pastor of a so-called Mega church, he isn't the same as any other pastor. I don't quite know how to reply to that, except to say WHO are you and I to judge?
Then the most immature of all. People taking shots at Joel because his wife is attractive? What are we, 5?
Does anyone on here actually know the man?
Meyer received millions, records show (TV Preacher Joyce Meyer)
I think some of the folks around here are fed up with a perceived "holier-than-though' hypocrisy of certain people....I have yet to read a single word on this thread attacking The Saviour or His message....
One died last month--tagline.
And she knew she wasn't going with them?
< ]B^)
You're kidding right? sarcasm? what?
Are we talking just in the arena or televised audience as well?
Another TV preacher not after the big bucks--also now deceased: Bishop Fulton J. Sheen.
Current favorites: Fr. Pacwa and Mother Angelica.
*ROTFLMAO*
Oh,for sure,none of us are without our sins and personal paradoxes.
I pray every day and feel a personal relationship with Jesus.
HOWEVER,I am somewhat cynical about those mega churches who seem to want to represent Jesus
Inc.
BTW,does your name,Dacula,have anything to do with that infamous little town I used to recall so well in my UGA days when returning from partying in Atlanta,returning home on US 78?Talk about SPEED TRAPS-that was the worst of them!
Ooops.....I'm expecting to smited at any moment.
I know that he oozes all of the sincerity of an old-time Snake Oil salesman....
YOU KNOW MY EX??!!?!??!???!!!
I don't let certain individuals poison the experience for me.
If I went by who I thought was nice or not, I would be mormon. Mormons are, without a doubt, the nicest people or group of people I have ever met....
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