UPDATE: Found NOT GUILTY
By: Lynn Green
While I am certainly no fan of Joel Osteen [due to the fact that he never speaks against sin and never calls out sin during his sermons], I have heard his wife, Victoria speak and she has always struck me as a feminine person with a beautiful spirit.
I was quite surprised to hear that Victoria Osteen is being sued by a flight attendant from Continental Airlines. Apparently Osteen was riding in first class (of course) and was not satisfied with the service. This all happened back in 2005 but the lawsuit is just now moving forward.
This is what happened: Victoria Osteen asked a flight attendant to remove a spill that was on her chair. Reading between the lines, you get the impression that instead of cleaning the spill, the flight attendants started giving her the run-around…by trying to pass the task off to other attendants.
Victoria got frustrated and got up out of her seat (LOL!)—that sounds like something a sistah-gurl would have done! LOL!……and that’s when all hell broke loose.
Here is Victoria in the middle with two sistah-gurls. I believe we are rubbing off on her!
According to reports, Victoria tried to force her way into the cockpit to complain. She was asked to get off the flight. She was fined $3,000. And now a flight attendant is actually demanding 10% of Victoria’s wealth. Can you believe that? The woman wants to become rich at the Osteen’s expense. Give me a break!
I’ve seen first hand how nasty those flight attendants can be. I support Victoria 100%. Handle your business, girlfriend!
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I heard about this story when it first happened and if I am not mistaken the lady lost her job as a result of her rudeness (don’t know how true that is though). Many people also gave Victoria Olsteen a ‘mouthful” because they believe she was just as rude. If in fact it is true that Victoria pushed and shoved this lady then it is NOT RIGHT and maybe she should be sued if she feels this is something that she can get away with. It definately isn’t becoming of a Christian if she did do this.
Having said all of that, I don’t believe that the lady is entitled to 10% of Victoria’s net worth. However, if the lady suffered bruises as a result of the pushing and shoving then she should be entitle to pain, suffering, medical expenses and any days missed out of work.
I don’t believe for a second that the flight attendant suffered any bruises.
I believe that dollar signs is behind this lawsuit. I’ve been on planes where the flight attendants are just down right nasty. So maybe Victoria did lose her temper. But even if she pushed the woman, an apology is all that is necessary.
Oh indeed, Sis! This is nothing about money. I was basing my response solely on an IF because I don’t remember the flight attendant stating that she was hurt. She is simply taking advantage of what SHE believes is an opportunity.
I am not an Osteen fan as he seems to ‘commercialized’. Also, I learned that he is not an ordained minister. He has some ordained ministers in his family, but he himself is not ordained. I don’t know much about his wife, but was surprised to hear about the lawsuit. It sounds like both she and the flight attendant over reacted.
The flight attendant was probably rude or not attentive as she should have been, and Mrs. Osteen was probably ticked off that as a first class passenger, how dare she be ignored. Either way, I don’t feel that she had the right to put her hands on the flight attendant. It would be one thing if the flight attendant put her hands on her first, and she could say that she was defending herself, but in a court of law, I don’t think the jury will buy the “I was laying hands on her…to cast out demons” argument.
Diva you are too funny!
Especially since Joel and Victoria may not even know about casting out demons since they don’t seem to preach against sin!
Hi yall! Thought I would add my two cents.
Obviously, this is a classic case of celebrity lawsuit mania. “You’ve got money… and I want a piece of it.”
This woman, as noted before, knew the Osteens when they got on the flight and clearly wasn’t too fond of them.
Beyond that fact, the whole “gave me hemorrhoids” and I want “10 percent of your net worth” claims clearly make this bogus.
As far as the “this isn’t very becoming of a Christian” comment, we’re all people. We all make mistakes. Speaking on my own behalf, I love God, but I sure do fall short many times. Thank goodness for His mercy!
And just a note, Lakewood Church, home to the Osteens, does preach against sin. Joel’s messages, the one’s you see on television, however are aimed mostly at the mainstream. Instead of breaking people down, he feels his calling is to build them up. I see it as everyone has their own calling. There is no “all-in-one” preacher package in my opinion, just like there is no “all-in-one” person. We all have our gifts and talents in different areas.
You should check out their Web site and watch a live Wednesday night bible study message. It’s very different than Sunday’s messages, which you see on television. They are truly great. Faith comes by hearing… and not just from one source.
Back to this crazy story, I believe the judge will see past all craziness. And I am so proud to see a woman standing up for herself and her husband standing by her side.
Yes, we all fall short, myself included. I don’t exclude anyone who is a Christian from this, but nor do I use this as an excuse. We must exercise restraint and discipline and IF IN FACT she did push and shove this woman it was wrong of her. PERIOD. I won’t back down from that but I also will exercise mercy as I am instructed to do in the Word of God. God doesn’t look at us and say “hey, they are only human and will fall short so I will overlook that.” No, what He does it say, Yes, she did that and it was wrong but my mercy endures forever.” AND he expects us to repent from the act (which I believe Victoria has done by now if this is what happened).
As for Joel’s messages, this is what I used to say about Creflo Dollar and the same would apply to Joel Osteen. I blame their media department. My friend would get frustrated when she would hear everyone say that Creflo was just money hungry and would only speak about prosperity. And her comment was the same as yours – “well, that is all that people see on TV but the actual service is different.” Well, why would people think differently if all the programs are about money and prosperity? That was some time ago and I believe his programs have changed. I don’t know because I don’t watch him. As for Joel, I cannot say that I DON’T like him because I do and I watch him some Sunday mornings while I am preparing for church. I just don’t prefer those type messages and could not see myself as a member of his congregation. He encourages me at times, though.
@ Matt – Welcome to Hicktown. I have nothing against Joel personally. He appears to be a pleasant, kind human being. However, with a world sinking quickly in moral decline, he should directly (at least from time to time) name sin and call it what it is FOR THE CAMERAS so that the world can see it. God did not call pastors to water down His Word. Joel needs to hit fornication head on. Fornication leads to unwed pregnancies, AIDS, etc. Yet, he never touches it. And he does not touch on any other sins. He only speaks on “pleasant” things that appeal to the itching ears of society. But those “pleasant” things won’t keep anyone out of hell though.
@ Monica – What do you mean by saying you blame the media department? Expand on that.
I’ve met Victoria and she seemed like a nice person. Interesting to note that the flight attendant had previously filed a complaint that she was attacked by a co-worker. I’d better check WebMD to see how an elbow in the breast can lead to anxiety and hemorrhoids.
Thanks for your input Charley. You added a different dimension to this discussion. I had no idea that the flight attendant had tried her scheme in the past.
I too never heard of any physical injury causing hemrrhoids. I guess they will now make her see a proctologist/gasterointerologist to find out how her behind was affected by being shoved and elbowed.
I agree with everyone who said that noone has any business putting their hands on anyone. That’s a given.
However, I’ve had to deal with some of these nasty service industry people who hate their job and resent you for having a job you are happy with.
This woman recognized Osteen and and saw dollar signs. She probably provoked her, given her history of filing complaints.
Hi Lynn,
Here is what I mean by “I blame the media department.” In my church (Redemption World Outreach Center) every church service if filmed by the media department. They are also the department that takes care of the editing of the video and the reproduction of the CDs and DVDs. The Media Department is also responsble for making the video “TV ready” which again includes editing and content. Finally, they choose which services will be shown on TV.
Having said that, if the Media Department @ RWOC decides to show only the services in which my Pastors speaks about money, tithes, offering etc., then those that watch (and not attend the church) on a regular basis will automatically think that my Pastor is money hungry. They would not take into account that they are only seeing an edited 30 minute version of a church service.
On the other hand, if the Media Department produces a mixture of messages/services for television then the general viewing audience will know that the church is balanced in its teaching that there are several areas that my Pastor speaks on, including sin.
So where I stand on Joel Olsteen, Creflo Dollar and others…. Nobody should get upset when a VIEWER, based on watching the TV program on a regular basis, gets the understanding that one only delivers “feel good messages” and/or “money messages.” Again, they are basing it on what they have viewed on a consistent basis. The Media Department should produce a mixture of messages for the viewing audience that would give the viewer a general understanding of what is preached in that church. That is especially important because some will watch the program before they decide if they want to visit the church.
Sorry for being so long winded.
Pastors determine what goes on the air. Don’t think for a minute that the media is responsible for the fact that only “feel good” messages are going up. They only run what is available. And what Joel produces (and has admitted to producing) are those cute, feel good messages. In interview after interview he is clear about not wanting to preach sin.
So….can’t put that one on the media department.
LOL
oh well, tried to give him an “out”
LOL
Sorry Joel!
Come on, Deputy Monica. You know Sheriff Lynn was not letting him off that easy. LOL