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.
Well big hair has been "out" for some time now and I agree her hair doesn't qualify - I was just having fun. There is something about the Southern Belle thing though.... my son used to call these women "fluff chicks" and I still use that term today to describe a gal who spends hours in the morning getting ready. I don't know where they find the time for that stuff!
I have read previously that this church conducts 4 services each weekend (Sat-2/Sun-2)...one of them in Spanish.
With 11-15K/service...that 40K figure can easily be reached
True, Jesus didn't tell the apostles to buy food for the multitude there.
But he did tell them to Ski Aspen!
arasina: I don't know what you're talking about.
After God had told Eve, who was spiritually alive at the time, that if you commit this sin that leads to spiritual death "The day ye eat thereof ye will surely die.", then satan came and hissed into Eve's ear, "Ye will not surely die. Once ssssaved alwaysssss ssssssaved."
It's the oldest lie in the book and Charles Stanley's message.
Thank you. But I am not worthy of that vocation. I am but a wretched sinner and I do not pretend to be otherwise.
"I am but a wretched sinner......."
Anyone who realizes that first and foremost is best suited for the job. You must be able to see to lead the blind.
Hey! That's R. Lee Ermey!
Yup, that's from Fletch. That's Chevy Case on the right.
I've listened to D James Kennedy for a long time on the television Sunday mornings, and I think he is excellent.
WWJS?
You are really a stupid jerk.
We don't even know the full context of the story.
All you know is the press report.
Here you are assuming that she was on med or she gone crazy.
You don't even know her yet you talk evil of someone who you don't know.
What's wrong with you. This is Christmas season.
I guess you found your cause. Some people fight for cancer or HIV, in your case, you have found Victora Osteen to lynch mob. Big Jealous fool.
Their service is so positive and they never ask for money. I don't know what this fool is talking about.
Just like the rest of them on TBN.
Is that the part that was added to the New Barbara Streisand Version?
1) my comment was about TallTexan's tagline.
b) the Santa-line was a slap against the "guest worker" program to allow illegals to stay in the country.
7) Keep holding that breath.
I don't assume - as some do - that all TV preachers are in it for the money, but a lot of them have made BIG bucks, living in incredibly expensive homes. Plus, as celebrities, they are subject to all the temptations of fame, adulation, and life on the road. I think it's unfortunate that for many people - pro and con - televangelists ARE Christianity.
I don't know how Mother Angelica is...I get emails from EWTN and there used to be an update on http://www.ewtn.com/ letting everyone know how she was doing. I do know that I need to put them "between the gas and the electric bill" asap!
I never said the feeding was financed. Jesus provided the food through a supernatural supply, and when He supplies there is an abundance and overflow. I believe that Peter had money, we know Levi had to have money, Jesus was financially provided for from his disciples and the women who followed him.
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