Remember the other day when I said tragedies were tragedies, and if they weren't we'd call them something else that conjured up happy thoughts? I mentioned orgies. Remember that? Well, it seems I'm not alone. Thanks to the guys at Get Religion for tracking this story down.
It appears Justice Antonin Scalia, one of the High Court's most conservative justices, thinks orgies would help "ease social tensions." I am not making this up. I probably should say something clever and funny, but what do you say to that? It speaks for itself, I think.
Why is Joel Osteen's name in the title, you're wondering. Where does he fit in with all this talk about old justices, orgies, and social tension? He doesn't. His name has garnered more Google hits than any search term ever on this site, so I'm going to put his name in the title pretty regularly to try to attract people that like him to this site. Doesn't that sound like fun? Hmm...I wonder who'll be looking for orgies on Google?
Don't you just feel sorry for the folks who find your site when they're trying to get some info on their superheros. I just have to wonder what these poor hapless surfers think when they wander into a site like yours (or mine for that matter) looking for Joel Osteen, Kirk Cameron, or Rick Warren praisegasms.
I feel sorry, then I laugh uncontrollably.
By the way, how are your balls?
Posted by: Brandon | October 05, 2004 at 09:43 PM
I have to correct my first notes here on this site about Joel Osteen.
At the beginning, I really was sceptical. I thought “Well, that’s just positive thinking”. But I was wrong. Joel is a great man, and this is a great book. If you are like I was; give him a chance. Listen to his messages, and you’ll eventually feel that they are more than just words.
I do know people who overcame depression, ocd, and low self-esteem thank Joel Osteen’s message. Give yourself a chance and experience it!
Posted by: John | October 18, 2004 at 04:31 PM
John,
Are you ever in the wrong place to make that argument. The guy is preaching straight Word Faith theology. It's awful. He actually used the story of getting a bigger house to talk about enlarging your vision. Not feeding, clothing, helping, serving, sacrificing--none of that silly Gospel stuff. A bigger house. You'll have to do your PR campaign on a site where people don't really understand theology. I suggest crosswlk.com.
Posted by: greg | October 18, 2004 at 05:03 PM
Joel's theology, though "word-of-faith" rhetorical repetition and feel-good gu-ru junk, he is a good man. I know that doesn't change anything about his theology and impact. Now, I CAN vouch for the fact that this guy markets to the hilt. He's got billboards and TV commercials running almost all the time. It's a liturgical machine they've created over there...like the boulder rolling down hill. Can anyone stop it? I don't think so "scooter".
Posted by: Scott | October 18, 2004 at 05:12 PM
I suspect that "Scott" might be what we in the internet message board community call a "troll".
Posted by: Resident Atheist | October 18, 2004 at 05:29 PM
Upon looking through old comments, it appears that Scott has a history here substantially longer than my own. My apologies.
Posted by: Resident Atheist | October 19, 2004 at 11:15 AM
I have always been careful of "tv preachers", but I have met and talked with Joel and I would be willing to vouch for him any day. As for theology it isn't worth much if it doesn't help anyone. I know a lot of old crusty christians that know their theology up and down but don't know how to help anyone. I would say that these theologists are nothing more than modern day pharisees. Jesus came to set people free. When I look at Joel that's what I see. Oh and by the way I guess you could call me a troll, as I happened upon this site by accident.
May the God of peace be with you always.
Ernie
Posted by: ernie | December 23, 2004 at 08:26 AM
Explain "troll" RA. (I'm just now seeing that response and I'm cureious)
Posted by: Scott | December 23, 2004 at 11:57 AM
Oh, that old post? A troll (which I'm sure you are not, by the way) is somebody who goes around taking the most offensive possible stances for the sake of getting a rise out of people; they're mostly attention-seekers. There's also another variety that imitates another way of thinking in the most obnoxious way possible, in order to discredit the people who really hold that view.
For instance, I would be trolling in the latter sense if I came here pretending to be a Christian and posting things like "U R ALL GOING 2 HELL BCUZ YOU MAKE FUN OF JOEL OSTEEM!!!!111", and kept up the ruse for several days. (Note the various signs of trolling: all-caps shouting, infantile word abbreviations, the misspelling of Osteen, and the use of multiple exclamation points. It's possible for two, or even three, of these symptoms to appear in a legitimate post, but with all four you have to wonder if they're being stupid on purpose.)
Does this answer your question?
Cheers,
RA
Posted by: Resident Atheist | December 23, 2004 at 02:19 PM
Ah, I understand. I've been known to troll from time to time. However, the ALL CAPS thing is just too boot-leg for me.
Posted by: Scott | December 23, 2004 at 03:50 PM