On Larry King last night, mega-church preacher Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria, Jim and Tammy 2.0, offered beaming advice about how to have it all with God's help. We were sort of shocked by the exchange about undergarments, in which Osteen said women shouldn't dress up for work or the outside world, but for their husbands; translation: they should wear sexy underwear. An excerpt from the transcript:
Larry King: Is this -- is this true, that you once exhorted women in the audience to shop at Victoria's Secret to help their marriage?
J. OSTEEN: Oh, well, that was -- that's probably true. I think the whole...
KING: That's why you're smiling all the time.
J. OSTEEN: OK. OK. I hope it was in a good context, though. I mean, I wasn't -- it's too much to explain now, but yes I did.
V. OSTEEN: Yes, he was encouraging women. He was encouraging women to take careful [care of?] themselves.
J. OSTEEN: Yes.
V. OSTEEN: And to not go around in their old, you know, bathrobes, and that they could add that spark to their home. And I think that was great.
KING: What's wrong with that?
J. OSTEEN: No, there's nothing. And that was my point, don't go look good and dress up to go to work and dress up to go to event[s?] for everybody else. Dress up for your own husband. I mean, look good at home.
Of course, we think you should dress up for your spouse, but the implication here seems to be that women's role in the outside world isn't that important ,and also that it's up to women to keep the spark alive.
Why isn't Osteen telling husbands to go to Calvin Klein?
Click on the image below to watch the Osteen interview.
Reader Comments ( Page 5 of 23)
61. Sexist.
P.S. God doesn't exist.
Bella at 9:09AM on Oct 18th 2007
62. She's going to need a wardrobe from the likes of Talbot's, Evan-Picone, Brooks Brothers, or Ralph Lauren.
LOL. Obviously you don't know much about fashion.
Bella at 9:15AM on Oct 18th 2007
63. This is silly. The only "implication" is that women should be businesslike in the workplace, but it's all right to be erotic at home with the hubby. Why not?
Where does he say that it's up to women? He's not talking about what it's up to a man do do, because that's not the subject under discussion. I suppose that if he had talked about that, you would be saying, "See, he thinks a man should be in charge!"
Bruce Peterson at 10:14AM on Oct 18th 2007
64. Anyone who thinks God does not endorse exciting sex between husbands and wives should read the Bible book, “Song of Solomon”. For years a lot preachers would not touch this book because of the sexual innuendos it contains. It is however, a type of love song between Christ and the church. As a Pastor, I also believe that husbands and wives s life style should include looking good or even sexy for each other, not the outside world. Wives deserve more than "left-over" husbands who come home from work tired, crumpled and all they want to do is fall out in an easy chair. Husbands, when you leave for work you take a shower and put on fresh clothes; do the same thing when you come home after work, take the time to let your wife see you looking good and smelling good just for her. Wives, the same thing goes for you: many of you now work outside the home but remember you are still a wife, and you are the object of your husbands affection, and men being who we are, you are the object of their desire. At home and in the bedroom especially neither of you are corporate executives, doctors, attorneys, or business partners, in the bedroom you are husband wife. God designed men and women to fit together and part of that union includes eye appeal. I the privacy of their boudoir there is nothing wrong with both men and women dressing to please the eyes of their spouse. Wives, buy your husbands a couple of pairs of fire engine red nylon boxers or other splashy colors, and husbands, yes, go to Victoria's Secret and buy her what you secretly want to see her wearing. It is the God given privilege of husbands and wives to completely enjoy each other in the intimacy of their sex lives
Makendoo at 10:17AM on Oct 18th 2007
65. TO ALL OLSTEEN GROUPIES: What will you do when Joel comes out of the closet?? Will you embrace him then as much as you do now?
Robb at 10:54AM on Oct 18th 2007
66. What a waste of time.
Submissive, I'm not. My mother was, and it nearly cost her her life. She had twice the brains of my father, and she sat on her opinions because she was the daughter of a minister and "knew her place". She was a terrible role model for me. I got out, got a life, and earned college degrees, a career, and experiences that span a few continents. I also have a family and a little girl. And I can guarantee you that my husband and I are making sure that she can launch herself as far as she wishes to go in life.
Is she smart? Yes. Is she beautiful? Yes. Is she confident? Yes. Will she spend all her takehome pay shopping at victoria's secret in hopes that her husband will continue to approve of her? I DON"T THINK SO!
Lionruby at 11:00AM on Oct 18th 2007
67. I like him because he doesnt make people that watch him send money....not a beggar like thise other televangelists. The guy is a breath of fresh air....
http://www.ericsmusclecars.com
ericsmusclecars at 12:11PM on Oct 18th 2007
68. Imagine my surprise!! A heretical "christian" who teaches Christianity without the Cross would also promote lingerie!!
Gee, I'm SO surprised!
DeeDee at 12:17PM on Oct 18th 2007
69. Right On Joel! When I first accepted Christ as my Savior my minister said it would pump up my sexual relations with my husband. That means a deep relationship with Christ enhanced the relationship with my husband if we were all connected spiritually.
Bottom line is sex in marriage with someone who is connected to Christ is guilt free, fun, and exciting! What energy!
rosie at 12:21PM on Oct 18th 2007
70. Charles W. Swan and Paige Swan voted one of the top twenty hottest couples in Hollywood
Sheila at 12:22PM on Oct 18th 2007
71. The only reason anyone is agreeing with him is because he's a so-called preacher. He's just making women into objects. I agree with the last part of the article - why doesn't he go tell the husbands to go shop at CK? Geez.
Cindy at 12:22PM on Oct 18th 2007
72. OH MY GOD BRITNEY SPEARS SHOULD THANK HIM THE MEDIA IS FINALY OF HER BACK BUT,IN THE SAME VOICE,THE PEOPLE THINK THAT PASTOR SHOULD NOT KNOW AND ADVICE ABOUT MEN AND WOMEN AND AFTER ALL HE HAS A WIFE AND HE IS A MAN AND BELEIVE ME HE IS A GOOD PREACHER HE DID THE CORRECT THING BY TEACHING NOT THEOLOGY BUT LIFE ITSELF WHOSOEVER DISAGREE THEY ARE MORONS THEY SHOULD TAKE HIS ADVISE BOTH PHYSICAL AND BIBLICAL THEN THERE WILL BE LESS DIVORCE. GO PASTOR THEY SAID WORST ABOUT JESUS AND HE STILL RULE THE UNIVERSE GOD BLESS PASTOR OLSTEIN AND MAY HE CONTINUE DOING GODS'WORK.LYNETTE
lynette at 12:23PM on Oct 18th 2007
73. I think Joel Osteen is Satan himself - Preying on weak minds that believe what he says for his own profit. If you believe him you are a fool. I am sure he wears his wife's Victoria's Secret lingerie and probably has some other skeletons in the closet if you know what I mean - most religious people do.
Ma$e at 1:03PM on Oct 18th 2007
74. deedee.. if you watched Larry King's show that night you would know why he does not display the cross.. so get educated before you spew out your opinions.
taraseclipse at 12:28PM on Oct 18th 2007
75. IMHO. Husbands and Wives should appreciate each other for themselves. Also, always remember what attracted you to each other in the first place. Sexy undergarments don't do this. It is what is in the heart that counts.
Kelly at 12:29PM on Oct 18th 2007