Joel Osteen Says He’s Not Cheating People by Neglecting to Preach on Repentance, Hell

Megachurch self-help author and motivational speaker Joel Osteen says that he doesn’t believe that he’s “cheating people” by neglecting to preach on repentance or eternal punishment as he opines that people “feel guilty enough.”

Osteen was featured on CBS Sunday Morning on March 27, as correspondent Tracy Smith visited Lakewood to interview the megachurch leader.

“You’ve been criticized for church-lite, or a cotton candy message. Do you feel like you’re cheating people by not telling them about the Hell part? Or repentance part?” she asked.

“No, I really don’t, because it’s a different approach,” Osteen replied.

“You know, it’s not hellfire and brimstone. But I say most people are beaten down enough by life. They already feel guilty enough. They’re not doing what they should do raising their kids—we can all find reasons,” he said. “So I want them to come to Lakewood or our meetings and be lifted up, to say, ‘You know what? I may not be perfect, but I’m moving forward. I’m doing better.’ And I think that motivates you to do better.”

Osteen, who reportedly lives in a $10.5 million dollar home, explained to CBS that most of his wealth comes from his book sales and his work with Sirius Satellite Radio. He does not take a salary from Lakewood, which he estimates makes $90 million a year.

However, much concern has been raised over the past decade that the messages at Lakewood are noticeably man-centered and humanistic, instead of Christ-centered and gospel centric. Osteen’s self-help books have included “Your Best Life Now,” “Become a Better You,” “You Can, You Will” and “It’s Your Time.”

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