by John Asgeirson

Created on: April 23, 2008

The fact that Joel's teachings are not supported by a religious theological degree, that he inherited his following from his father and has a degree in TV production rather a degree from a seminary makes him the Coors Light and popcorn of religious communion. It is no wonder that he is criticized for making people feel good about themselves.

I must confess I have watched Joel Osteen on TV and found his talks inspiring, entertaining and worthwhile to listen to. If you are fat and he suggests that you exercise and watch what you eat to lose weight I guess that is not typical Christian theology.

It would have been inconceivable in my religious life to give some respect to a TV minister but as the member of small Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Florida I find I must come to Joel Osteen's defense. I think some people are afraid of being or doing something that is viewed as part of popular culture. There is something in the Puritan bloodline that makes us nervous getting religious training that is as simple as "Everything I Really Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten", by Robert Fulgham. You need to be reminded that you are a sinner and are guilty of a host of offenses as an indispensible part of life.

Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuller, Rick Warren, and now Joel Osteen have received criticism for some of the more secular aspects of their teachings. Whether it's the power of positive thinking, possibility thing, a principle driven life or become a better you, these ideas are derided in the more conservative religions, as religion lite.

This criticism is probably the result of success, popularity, and the fact that these teachings are accessible to the "flock".

Motivational speakers are paid by people to help with motivation, (increase sales, improve performance, and as a result live better lives. Just about every religious leader through history has had the same goal.

Joel Osteen is an interview with Chris Wallace said he was trying to teach people how to live their everyday lives and did not emphasize scripture or sin as much as some people would like. He has also said that only god knows a person's heart. While these views of theology may give evangelicals, fundamentalists, and literalists' problems, it would seem that they may have applications in modern life.

It would seem that the leaders of modern religion in this debate are at odds with Joel's path to "religious popularity". They prefer biblical analysis, divine inspiration and the authority of god's teaching to his breezy religious secularism.

We would all be better off if we would just affirm the worth and dignity of every living thing.

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