Speaking of scumbag preachers. . .
Joel Osteen slammed for closing megachurch amid Harvey crisis
It’s easier to pass through the eye of a needle than it is to get inside Joel Osteen’s megachurch in Houston for shelter from Hurricane Harvey.
The $50-million preacher, who lives in a $10 million home, shut the doors to his massive Lakewood Church in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey — even though it can hold up to 17,000 people.
Osteen posted a notice on his website that the church would be shut over the weekend — and it remained closed Monday.
The preacher said he was unable to offer his venue as a temporary shelter because the highway in front was flooded.
But Twitter user Charles Clymer posted a picture of the roadway leading up to the church — which used to be the home of the NBA’s Houston Rockets — that showed all was high and dry Monday morning.
“Front of @JoelOsteen’s huge Lakewood Church in Houston at 11 am. Closed due to “flooding.” Person who took it asked to be anonymous,” Clymer said.
After a vicious response online, it seemed Osteen’s Christian spirit was born again.
“A source at Lakewood Church just told me they're planning to open their doors to Houston's homeless and displaced. Finally,” Clymer tweeted at 8:40 p.m.
He then posted a picture of blow-up air beds and said the church was preparing to open its doors.
Osteen had initially shut down the venue and posted a notice on his website asking his followers to donate or volunteer.
“Our hearts break as we see the damage and destruction in our city. Please join us in helping Houston recover,” Osteen tweeted, with a link to his website.
His initial refusal to throw open his doors drew instant criticism on social media.
“#Houston's Joel Osteen has a net worth over $50m and a church that holds 16,800 but this is all he's offering,” tweeted Mark Elliott, with a link to a picture of the preacher’s packed Lakewood Church.
Joel Osteen slammed for closing megachurch amid Harvey crisis
