If there is a hell Joel Osteen's going

Note: So I've decided to start something called "Tangent Tuesday." I really don't want my blog to turn into me whining and complaining and spouting off random opinions, but that doesn't mean I can't have one day of it. I figure if you don't want to read my tangents, then just don't come on Tuesday's. See? Easy.So I'm spending the week with my sister in Houston, and on my way to her place from work I take 59, which goes right by the old Compact Center (where the Rockets use to play). A few years back, when they decided to build a new stadium, a small humble little church called Lakewood bought it from that proffesional basketball team and made it it's home. The Compact Center now houses 40,000+ worshipers and Joel Osteen.

I realize that this is old news, and I too made my peace with Mr. Osteen those few years ago, but today, for some reason, I really got ticked off again. I think it was because on the side of the church, in as big a letters as the church name itself, was his name. Joel Osteen two stories high. I couldn't help but gagg a little.

So, I sat and pondered for a second (after I fumed) why the hell this guy is so popular. And eventually the answer came to me; he dumbs down religion for the masses. That's what all the new age Christian religions are doing. It's no longer about studying your religious background, educating yourself on, not only those sound bite bible verses you get every week, but on every word of the scriptures. It's no longer about trying to find inherent truth by working at your relationship with God through study, but about coming to church every Sunday and mindlessly listening to a feel-good sermon that tells you that if you "pray for a parking spot, God shall provide," and that God wants us to be rich and prosperous, all you have to do is follow him. Since when was religion suppose to be about the money?

I mean yes, churches and religions have always tried to be as rich as possible, I mean look at the Catholic Church for Christ sake (...ha), but never before have they advocated for money to the masses. Joel Osteen is a multi-millionaire, and says his followers can be the same. What I don't understand is how can he sleep at night while millions of people suffer around him and still claim to be "a man of God." Does he honestly believe that God wants him to be getting his beauty sleep on a feather matress in monogramed silk pajamas (because you know he doesn't sleep in his underwear), while some child a few miles down only has rats and roaches as his bed-time companions? Where's the justification in that? Because the kids not a "follower of God"? That's some bullshit if thats the case.

My firm belief on the matter is, that the little good that comes from religion is it teaches people to be generous, modest and kind. Three things our society is generally very lacking in. But now, with the help of Mr. Osteen, one of those inherent religous values has fallen by the way side, I'll give you three guess as to wich one it is....

I realize this subject has been discussed to death by now, and I know I've really just gotten my self all worked up and solved nothing, but dammit this is Tangent Tuesday. Tomorrow I plan to dive head first into today's economic woes, but, unfortunatly, today in Sandwich Nation is all about the Osteen. Thanks for indulging me.