Osteen Email

http://www.joelosteen.com/Pages/MessageViewer.aspx?date=2014-09-03 ^

[longhorn too]

Email from Joel Osteen. I have posted the daily email that Joel Osteen sends out. Ordinarily people are not allowed to debate this email. In this case you may but please be respectful of others who may follow Osteen.

http://www.joelosteen.com/Pages/MessageViewer.aspx?date=2014-09-03

[abishai]

I like the message the devotional is trying to bring across. However, he should have used a different verse than the one in Mark 4:8, which he takes out of context. The “seed” is the Word of God. Jesus makes this absolutely clear when He explains this to His disciples.

[DManA]

He’s almighty.

[madison10]

I think what it means is you are not allowed to criticize Joel Osteen. :-)

Is that like not being allowed by the media to criticize Obama, is this different?

[Genoa]

derision and offense

There's no reason why "religious" posts shouldn't be subject to the same rules as others, no more, no less. There are plenty of good generic rules at FR about personal offense, foul language, etc., to keep things "manageable." The marketplace of ideas should be kept free and open. Religious ideas are no exception.

[DManA]

IMO it is glaring flaw in the FR platform that you cannot hide that which you cannot comment on.

[Ann Archy]

Nice EMPTY souls.

[DManA]

It leads to such absurdities as

"If you are not one of us you are doomed" [devotional]/[caucus]

[SoConPubbie]

God wants us to pray and trust in HIM, but we are also to act in a good Christian way...

Cherry, please do not misunderstand me.

I am by no means talking about a faith that an individual has and then still sins.

Quite the contrary, I am talking about the salvation, the complete change of heart as spoken of by Paul in Romans chapter 8 and in II Corinthians 5:17 whereby we are able to walk obediently in Christ because he has saved us, and for no other reason:

Romans 8:1
1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

II Corinthians 5:17:
17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

The true New Birth, as promised by Christ includes BOTH forgiveness of our sins and the power over our sins giving us the capability we did not have before, of obeying God.

[fungoking]

All the disciples except 1 were martyred for their faith...not sure many folks at his Church would consider that your best life now.

2nd Timothy 4:3

[Genoa]

Sadly, many are doomed. But let's not pursue that now!

I don't mind reading statements that I regard as untrue, but I don't like being prevented from disagreeing. Devotional and/or caucus threads allow assertions by one side that cannot be answered by another.

[Mr Rogers]

The rules are discussed here:

” “Closed” threads on the Religion Forum include devotionals, prayer threads and caucuses. The header of the thread should make it obvious that the thread is closed, i.e. like a church meeting behind closed doors. Such assemblies will not be disturbed. Any challenges or ridicule will be removed. Any thread can be designated a caucus - e.g. labeled as a “[Catholic Caucus]” or “[LDS Caucus]” - provided that neither the article nor any of the posts challenge or ridicule any other confession. These are “safe harbors” for those who are easily offended or are ill equipped to defend their own confession.”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1774184/posts

[Hot Tabasco]

Why would I have respect for those who follow or teach a false gospel?

Well, that certainly didn't take long..........

Being a fence sitter and now convinced that FR ain't all that Christian based stuff it's advertised to be, I've got my pizza and a ringside seat........

This should be interesting......

[Genoa]

Safe harbors? There are plenty of places to find those. FR ought to be robust and candid, within limits of course. Those who are ill equipped to defend themselves in discussion have my sympathy.

[montag813]

I will NOT “be respectful” of idiots who “follow” this Elmer Gantry charlatan, nor do I think his “Devotionals” should be immune from criticism. Osteen and his psychopathic wife have no place here.

[DManA]

Your denomination sucks and so do you [caucus].

[DManA]

There are plenty of web sites where co-coreligionists can discuss their particular issues. Maybe that was not the case in 1990 but it is certainly the case now.

I have no idea what FR thinks they are doing with these caucus threads.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Guess the Osteenites don’t want you to question their idol.

[trisham]

Osteen and his psychopathic wife have no place here.

*******************************

Why not? There are some who consider him to be a part of their religion. I don't agree with much of what passes for religion in this forum, but that doesn't mean that it has no place here.