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 6 of 23)
76. He presents himself as a nice, articulate preacher. His "health and wealth" gospel, however conflicts with the apostles message and life examples (severe persecution to many who preach the Bible), and doesn't believe that we need to believe that the only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ (Direct statement on Larry King) This is very appealing to most, particularly in America, but is contrary to the New Testament doctrine thus dangerous as he is potenetially leading many away from salvation. This is also an insult to those Christian missionaries around the world in hostile areas risking their lives to spread the Truth of Jesus Christ.
Michael Dube at 12:36PM on Oct 18th 2007
77. I am in utter despair! That such sexist, demeaning crap could pass for preaching and receive such accolades...in 2007! This man is the smiling, simpering, condescending voice of the American Taliban! Wake up!!!
MH at 12:30PM on Oct 18th 2007
78. Every time I hear him speak, I want to break out and sing Everything is beautiful. I don't like a preacher that won't take a stand. He's too on the fence for me.
solomeeeo at 12:37PM on Oct 18th 2007
79. Cindy- why is it his responisibility to tell the men? women love shopping.. so go buy your man his own lingerie, he'll wear it for you if he knows he's going to have relations with his wife..
taraseclipse at 12:33PM on Oct 18th 2007
80. MH are you delusional? i bet you never even so much as heard about JO prior to this very cut-up article.. read his books, watch his message and apply it and see how much better life can be.. or continue to have those negative thoughts about sexism.. that's your issue.
taraseclipse at 12:34PM on Oct 18th 2007
81. Ada, please! I do not think that he was trying to imply that women should not dress up in the workplace. He was saying to do it there AND at home! What goes at home is more important than what goes on in your workplace. Find something more productive to do with your time!
Lyn C at 12:34PM on Oct 18th 2007
82. My husband calls Victoria Secret 'candy wrapping.'And enjoys removing it :) I do watch Joel Osteen and enjoy his program, though Victoria is the better teacher, I think. I do agree that husbands and wives should look good for each other. Right now, my husband is serving in Iraq. It is hard not to get depress and fall headlong into a bag of pototes, but I continue to work hard and keep up not only for him, but for myself as well. So that when he gets home, I will still look good to him :)
Elanna at 12:56PM on Oct 18th 2007
83. "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."
that's not what i heard when i heard him speak. I heard that women outside the home are equally as important just don't make it MORE important than your family or marriage.. and i don't beleive he was placing full blame on women too.. the media are poop-stirrers.. they will word it and blow it out of proportion to get a rating and start drama. Leave the guy alone.. he's a wonderful person that has done wonderful things for people with his message, including me. go follow Brittney and Lindsay around.. report your news not give us your opinion.
taraseclipse at 12:40PM on Oct 18th 2007
84. Joel Olsteen is hardly Jim Baker 2! I think he is right, you should make yoruself look nice for your man. But your man should make himself look nice for you also. It looks like Joel practices what he preaches and he does take care of himself. I enjoy watching and listening to his program--he is a Godly man but does not push religion down your throat. I don't htink he is advocating that women ho' themselves, just make the best of what God gave them. Plus he is really easy on the eyes!
cookgahanna at 12:48PM on Oct 18th 2007
85. Ada Calhoun(article writer)take your intro: "Joel Osteen and his wife Victoria, Jim amd Tammy 2.0"
and stick those words right back down your throat.
Wy don't you try God...or the first time. Your ignorance is underwhelming.
Avenger at 12:42PM on Oct 18th 2007
86. taraseclipse: When someone disagrees with you, please don't automatically assume that they "never even so much as heard about" the subject prior to making their comments. I have seen and heard much of what this man has said over the past few years. My comments were heartfelt, prompted by my real shock at the positive response to his remarks on Larry King. I stand by them.
MH at 12:43PM on Oct 18th 2007
87. Joel is a good self help, prosperity preacher. Its like watching Tony Robbins on sleeping pills. Though he gives good advice sometimes he is not preaching the Bible. I cant listen to any man whos states on national TV that Jesus is not the only way to Heaven...IE..larry King Live.
He might make you feel GOOD but feelings wont count when we all stand before a righteous and just God on judgement day and he judges us on his commandments.
REMEMBER JESUS FIRST WORDS.....REPENT
REMEMBER JOHN THE BAPTIST WORDS....REPENT AND TRUST THE SAVIOR
TRAGIC BUT A LOT OF GOOD, HAPPY PEOPLE WILL GO TO HELL. SORRY BUT WHAT I HAVE JUST TOLD YOU IS RIGHT FROM GODS WORD...JOEL WILL NEVER PREACH THIS.
JOHN 3:16
REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND
CHRIS
chris at 12:42PM on Oct 18th 2007
88. Nicki, I agree with you. Also, maybe he needs to keep his nose out of other people's bedrooms and concentrate on his own.
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13. sUSAN: Listen to your favorite preacher and you will see that he wishes his women to be submissive. That is not how God intended a relationship between a man and a woman. Read your Bible.Nicki
abc123 at 12:43PM on Oct 18th 2007
89. Joel is lacking a true biblical knowledge and teaches parts of the bible and ad libs the rest...his message of happy-happy, joy-joy is often watered down and lacks substance of truly what the Bible teaches....People who rely and trust in him need to get into a real Bible Based church....God's word is not all Happy- Happy...Joy Joy...Joel read your Bible and start teaching the entire word!!!!
JON at 12:44PM on Oct 18th 2007
90. I like Joel and i think what he said is right a lot of women dress for others and when it comes to it just being them and their husbands most women just let go all he is trying to do is help keep intrest in the marriage.
megan at 12:47PM on Oct 18th 2007