Televangelist Joel Osteen slammed for keeping megachurch doors' closed after Hurricane Harvey

by Wagatwe Wanjuki

Community

(This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday, Aug. 28, 2017 Monday, Aug. 28, 2017 at 1:06:20pm PDT

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 03: Joel Osteen participates in 'Joel Osteen Live' featuring Joel and Victoria Osteen with special guests Fr. Ed Leahy, A. J. Calloway and Matt and Laurie Crouch at SiriusXM Studios on October 3, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)

Televangelist pastor Joel Osteen of a Lakewood in Houston, Texas has come under fire for not being the charitable Christian leader many expected. While he was quick to offer his “prayers,” he wasn’t as generous with physical action.

Victoria & I are praying for everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey. Please join us as we pray for the safety of our Texas friends & family.
— Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) August 26, 2017

As local folks start to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, people tweeted that they know the wealthy pastor could do more to help.

Hey Joel, don't you have the biggest and richest church? Why don't you open up the doors and the wallet in the name of Jesus for the people!
— Mozez713 (@Mozez713) August 28, 2017

Eh, Osteen's net worth is around $56.5 million. How about doing more than praying? https://t.co/ZGswIBxuEF
— Jennifer Hayden (@Scout_Finch) August 28, 2017

Osteen’s Lakewood has been referred to as the largest church in Texas, but it wasn’ t open to the public due to alleged flooding. People are not quite convinced.

Front of @JoelOsteen's huge Lakewood Church in Houston at 11 am. Closed due to "flooding". Person who took it asked to be anonymous. pic.twitter.com/gOndOncFuC
— Charles ClymerÃ°ÂÂÂ³Ã¯Â¸ÂÃ¢ÂÂÃ°ÂÂÂ (@cmclymer) August 28, 2017

According to R aw Story, Lakewood has a congregation so large that the building used to be an NBA arena; it could hold 16,800 people.

If there’s a reasonable explanation for keeping the church’s doors closed, Osteen isn’t interested in sharing. He’s apparently blocking people who are inquiring about the empty giant church that could help thousands in need.

If you tweet @JoelOsteen about his church not opening its doors to floor victims he blocks you. #socalledchristian pic.twitter.com/iSQCptqEJB
— JerseyCraig (@CJPatruno) August 28, 2017

Considering that Osteen is unapologetically rich from his $10.5 million mansion there’s definitely more he could do to help the hurricane victims. Instead, all we get is silence. I’m sure Jesus would be proud.

Tuesday, Aug 29, 2017 · 7:58:28 PM +00:00 · wagatwe

The church is now available for shelter.