{"id":82351,"date":"2017-08-29T16:33:11","date_gmt":"2017-08-29T20:33:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/?p=82351"},"modified":"2017-08-29T16:33:11","modified_gmt":"2017-08-29T20:33:11","slug":"joel-osteen-shuts-megachurch-amid-flooding-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stateofthenation2012.com\/?p=82351","title":{"rendered":"Joel Osteen shuts megachurch amid flooding crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

By David K. Li
\nNew York Post<\/p>\n

Televangelist Joel Osteen canceled services at his Houston megachurch Sunday and has yet to reopen its doors \u2014 despite the fact that thousands of flooded-out residents are desperately seeking shelter.<\/p>\n

The perpetually smiling pastor told followers on Twitter on Monday to lean on their faith.<\/p>\n

\u201cJesus promises us peace that passes understanding,\u201d\u00a0he wrote<\/a>. \u201cThat\u2019s peace when it doesn\u2019t make sense.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Osteen\u2019s comforting words didn\u2019t sit well with critics, who want to know why the doors to his 16,800-seat arena at his Lakewood Church near downtown Houston are closed.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have taken so much money away from your people to live like a king,\u201d\u00a0entertainment publicist Danny Deraney blasted<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s the least you could do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Washington, DC-based writer Charles Clymer tweeted pictures of Lakewood Church, which did not appear to be damaged by floods.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t make sense why you\u2019re not opening up your mega church to house Houston citizens, help me understand that. Jesus,\u201d\u00a0according to Florida-based writer Emily Timbol<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

While the church and its arena have not suffered any flood damage yet, ministry spokesman Donald Iloff said their property is inaccessible because of surrounding waters.<\/p>\n

And it makes no sense to open church doors when the city and county are already treating thousands of flood victims at the nearby George R. Brown Convention Center, according to Iloff.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has everything inside there \u2014 medicine, doctors, places to sleep,\u201d Iloff said of the convention center. \u201cIt\u2019s amazing what they\u2019re doing there to make people comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

___
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