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Flight attendant suing pastor Joel Osteen's wife for pre-flight assault
A civil trial pitting a Continental Airlines flight attendant against the wife of Joel Osteen, America's most popular preacher, began Wednesday in Houston, Texas.
In the suit, the flight attendant, Sharon Brown, is accusing Victoria Osteen of shoving her against an airplane bathroom door and elbowing her in the left breast before a 2005 flight from Houston to Vail. The dispute was allegedly over a stain on Ms. Osteen's first-class seat.
Although the FAA has already fined Ms. Osteen $3,000 for interfering with a crew member, Ron Hardin, Ms. Osteen's lawyer, denies her client did anything wrong. "This is a very silly case," he says.
If she wins the suit, Ms. Brown wants only an apology from Ms. Osteen . No, I'm kidding-- she actually wants ten percent of her net worth too.
I'd take an elbow to the left breast for that.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ben Aug 7th 2008 10:45AM
According to court documents, Brown claims that she suffers from anxiety and hemorrhoids because of the incident and said her faith was affected.
Wow, she got HEMORRHOID flare ups from the encounter. I guess you all better carry Preparation H in your luggage, just to be on the safe side...
you can add "hemorrhoids" as another hazard of being an F/A
Melissa Aug 8th 2008 3:32PM
Hemorrhoids? That's just plain funny! I mean really really funny!
ursula Aug 9th 2008 2:42PM
This outrageous incident is a sign of our times. It should never have come to court, wasting our tax dollars.
Certainly something happened to spark this. None of us is perfect - not even the Osteens. It is possible that Victoria Osteen, feeling pressure from travelling or the pressure of being in the public eye, may have expressed some probably well deserved annoyance inappropriately. But the stuardesses' claims that Victoria elbowed her and had a resulting loss of faith are absolutely ludicrous and show her tendency to exaggerate.
A smiliar experience happened to me some years ago as I was returning home from a long business trip and was overtired. The flight attendant on board was particularly aggressive about enforcing rules regarding the placement of my luggage (which had been placed where other attendants allowed.) I became annoyed and expressed my annoyance to her but then did as I was told. When I arrived at my destination the airport police came on board to escort me out of the plane and interrogate me about my behavior. I could not believe it! One of the other passengers on the plane voluntarily came to the police to tell them that I had done nothing wrong and that this was not sensible. She also wrote me a letter which I later attached to my complaint against the attendant. Of course, Northwest Airlines, in this case, stood by their staff and threatened to place me on a blackball list. They didn't, and all was well tho in retrospect I probably should have sued them.
This will pass and God will protect the Osteen's. It is just the enemy attempting to limit and destroy this powerful work of God. He won't. And the Lord will take the evil intention and turn it into good.
God Bless you Joel and Victoria!
yvette Aug 7th 2008 1:26PM
As christian, have we not learned any thing from the bible. Because we have a "status quo" in society a simple stain is going to bother us and distrupt our lives. That is so petty and shows lack of christian maturity.
dannap Aug 8th 2008 4:13AM
While Ms. Brown's claims appear to be inflated and ridiculous, Victoria Osteen's behavior was that of an aristocratic snob. Ms. Brown sees an opportunity to money-grub from a wealthy woman who stands to tarnish the proverbial crown of her husbands kingdom. We are all too familiar with the downfall of multimillion dollar "Bible Empires." This could well be the beginning of the end for Joel Osteen's ministry . . . and I'm so sorry, because he has had a very positive message. This incident, together with Joel's interview on Larry King Live, demonstrate that this couple is perhaps more concerned with prestige and power than with the delivery of Christ's message of salvation, redemption and grace. More evidence that God's commandment to fellowship with believers is a critical foundation of Christian worship. TV "church" is devoid of personal accountability - between the leaders and the followers, both.
ursula Aug 9th 2008 2:44PM
Do you really think that such a ludicrous incident could be the beginning of the downfall of this ministry? I hope that people have a little more intelligent judgement than to hold this against the Osteens. Even if Victoria behaved inappropriately this is entirely forgiveable. None of us is perfect. Not even our ministers. The work they have done should supercede and cover this human error.
ursula Aug 9th 2008 2:39PM
PS. TV church is broadcast by pastors who have their own "real" churches which hold them accountable
dannap Aug 9th 2008 6:22PM
It is indicative of an aristocracy which does not belong in ministry. Wealth and aristocracy are two entirely different things.
darla Aug 10th 2008 7:14AM
Unfortunately this is what is happening to our religious community. I watch Pastor Joel Olsteen who presents a good message of hope and faith to many.
But, this 'fad' of placing the spouse in a position of leadership, based off the presumption that the couple is 'one' is most unfortunate for the religious faithful. Having personally worked at a church for the most nicest person Pastor, I have ever met, it was his spouse that was so authoritarian, demanding, condescending and just down right nasty. Hard to believe they were a couple.
The church brings forth a leader, the Pastor; we shouldn't be 'required' to accept the spouse as a 'spiritual leader' merely because of the marital tie. I must agree with Ms. Johnson/Brown whomever is seeking the damages, such encounters do tend to shake your faith, something that you have been taught since birth. So I would agree she's suffered so sort of damage; couldn't attest to the physical damages, however, the mental and faith is life-altering, if you are a Believer.
Let's go back to the good ol' days, when the Pastor's wife sat on the front pew and gave candy to the little kids when church was out! That was when we use to have church. If God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, who brought this all about co-pastors, what happen to associate ministers, associate pastors, sr. pastors etc. Just the way 'we' are changing God to fit our needs, not the way things were.
God Bless and May the Lord's Blessings Shine Upon All
Gio Aug 11th 2008 2:02PM
I am just surprised to find out that Joel Osteen is straight.
honest Aug 8th 2008 6:22PM
So now we have a "preacher" or should we call them both, LEECHERS, showing what they really think of blacks. These so-called good christians are showing themselves to be the charlitans and rogues they truly are. Pity the poor "congregation" that forks up thousands a week to keep these creeps in the style they claim(first class on airlines, no less).
raleighsuper Aug 9th 2008 12:31PM
Your reply shows the true content of your heart! Did you know that Mr. Osteen lives off his book royalties and is not paid by his church? Did you know that his church is governed by a board which is not made up only by relatives? He never asks for money during his tv broadcasts unlike some true televangelists who, in my opinion, do leech off vulnerable people.
Like many, you are quick to judge someone solely by sight and the words of others.
Dawn Aug 9th 2008 9:26AM
Are you freaking kidding me. It disgusts me that Ms.Brown has nothing better to do then to seek a get rich quick law suit. If it were any one else it would not have even been an issue but she was obviously jealous of Osteens success. The whole thing is ridiculous. Do we not have BETTER things to do with our time then WHINE about "poor me" I was offended, or she hurt me or whatever the trivial law suits are these days. I am a nurse and see REAL problems every day. And is it any wonder that our precious country has to be embarressed by the likes of lawsuits like this !! Get OVER yourself Ms. Brown and go volunteer at a homeless shelter or something. It would be a much better use of your time.
me Aug 11th 2008 6:13PM
To those of you who think she's a gold digger because of the color of her skin, or her hairstyle, you are wrong. I am offended by that, and I am white. I am offended because Sharon is a good person. She's also a hard worker. Ask yourself why the Osteens were in First Class in the first place. You get to see a different side of famous people when you have them on your airplane and some times they aren't at all what you see when that camera is on. Don't be fooled. FAA fined her for her actions. The FAA does not fine innocent people, and innocent people dont willingly pay fines.
truthfirst Aug 12th 2008 11:46PM
Personally, I think the attendant got upset because of what Mrs Olsteen said to her; "it is not my job". She was very offended and probably said in her heart, you are no better than me you witch and I am going to show you. It seems like pure revenge for how Mrs Olsteen spoke to her and made her feel. But, it does not warrant a lawsuit and most certainly no 10% for her worth. The attendant is a lazy person who no longer wants to work and is trying to find a way for someone to way the rest of her way. She saw the opportunity and she took it. It just seems so far out for her to have grabbed her, hit her and do all those things. The story does not add up. It does not appear to flow like the truth would. She handed her napkins to wipe up the spill and then Mrs Olsteen said, it's not my job and then she turns to physical violence?? Does not make sense. Gold digger and if she is lying she truth will have to pay because the Bible speaks about that. Touch not mine anointing and do my prophets no harm. Yes, we may not like the Olsteen and we may think this or that about them in our hearts. But, the Word of God is clear. That's why I am very careful to jump on the band wagon when I hear people condemning a preacher when it has nothing to do with adultery, deliberating stealing, wife abuse or anything like that. There is a difference when we just personal don't like the way someone is doing something. I think this is sad and I feel bad for the attendant because her story is just so untrue. She really needs to go before the Lord and get on her knees and ask Him to take care of the situation. So, what if she might get money from this? Is it all worth it in the end? This attendant had no faith in the Lord in the first place. She is claiming that Mrs Olsteen caused her to loose faith in the Lord. Bull crap!! No one can cause you to loose faith in the Lord if you truly had it. Is this lady such a weak person. So many people go through hell everyday and they don't loose faith in the Lord. People have done worse than what she is accusing Mrs Olsteen of doing. This attendant is sick and you are defending her because you probably want some of this money. It is sad.
Margaret Dykes Aug 12th 2008 12:16AM
What a b**ch this woman must be! I hope she goes to prison for a long time. Joel Osteen is no better than the rest of Tele-Evangelists who use the pulpit to line their pockets. Would Christ have ridden First Class?? Would he have cared about a stain on his seat? I think not. Osteen's wife is a spoiled rich b**ch who needs to be taken down a peg or two. I hope the Flight Attendant wins...not money..but jail time for this "Christian". The word Christian actually means "Christ-like". Would Christ do this about a stain on a seat that the Flight Attendant had nothing to do with?? She assaults a person just tring to do her job--and then she cries "foul".....The woman is a spoiled rich Bit*h, just as her slimy husband deserves to go to hell for taking money from people who buy his crap, hook-line and sinker. They aren't Christians! Mother Teresa was a true Christian! Do they in any way resemble HER? No way! They are charlatians (sp?)who deserve to burn in hell.
truthfirst Aug 12th 2008 11:49PM
Personally, I think the attendant got upset because of what Mrs Olsteen said to her; "it is not my job". She was very offended and probably said in her heart, you are no better than me you witch and I am going to show you. It seems like pure revenge for how Mrs Olsteen spoke to her and made her feel. But, it does not warrant a lawsuit and most certainly no 10% for her worth. The attendant is a lazy person who no longer wants to work and is trying to find a way for someone to way the rest of her way. She saw the opportunity and she took it. It just seems so far out for her to have grabbed her, hit her and do all those things. The story does not add up. It does not appear to flow like the truth would. She handed her napkins to wipe up the spill and then Mrs Olsteen said, it's not my job and then she turns to physical violence?? Does not make sense. Gold digger and if she is lying she truth will have to pay because the Bible speaks about that. Touch not mine anointing and do my prophets no harm. Yes, we may not like the Olsteen and we may think this or that about them in our hearts. But, the Word of God is clear. That's why I am very careful to jump on the band wagon when I hear people condemning a preacher when it has nothing to do with adultery, deliberating stealing, wife abuse or anything like that. There is a difference when we just personal don't like the way someone is doing something. I think this is sad and I feel bad for the attendant because her story is just so untrue. She really needs to go before the Lord and get on her knees and ask Him to take care of the situation. So, what if she might get money from this? Is it all worth it in the end? This attendant had no faith in the Lord in the first place. She is claiming that Mrs Olsteen caused her to loose faith in the Lord. Bull crap!! No one can cause you to loose faith in the Lord if you truly had it. Is this lady such a weak person. So many people go through hell everyday and they don't loose faith in the Lord. People have done worse than what she is accusing Mrs Olsteen of doing. This attendant is sick and you are defending her because you probably want some of this money. It is sad.
ann Aug 13th 2008 9:57AM
what would jesus do? i don't care how rich and powerful and godly the olsteen's are. they do not have the right to shove, push, punch, slap, trip,etc anyone. if i walked into your job and shoved you what would you do? do you think you would actually blow it off? no you wouldn't. no one should have to worry about being assaulted at work. we have families to support and we are just trying to make a living like everyone else. I am glad Ms. brown is going after the olsteens. if more flight attendants went after violent passengers with lawsuits we would see people keeping their hand to themselves.
ann Aug 13th 2008 9:56AM
this is not mrs.olsteen's first run in with the airline and the faa. She also locked a coach bathroom so that know one else could use it. she was mad she had to sit in coach and did not think her children should have to use the coach lavs with the rest. I imagine we could dig up alot of other people who work in the service indusrty in houston who could tell you some interesting stories of their encounter with mrs. olsteen. also i would like to ask mrs olsteen what would jesus do? it doesn't matter in the end. mrs olsteen will when this case because people don't like airlines and they hate flight crews, but you should ask yourself what would you have done if someone shoved you the way mrs. olsteen shoved ms. brown? ms brown was just trying to do her job and she did tell mrs olsteen that she would be right back. There are certain responsibilities that flight attendants have during boarding and ms brown was trying to juggle several things at once. i know everyone thinks that the hemroids are funny, but if you are put in a bad situation someday you may find that the stress etc can cause you to have a bad stomach. everyone knows that a bad stomach can lead to diareah and or constipation. if you have had thes problems before you may have found out about hemmroids. by the way the olsteen's don't have to worry about the faa and flight crews anymore. they used some of theri money to buy their own plane.
judy, nyc Aug 13th 2008 10:42AM
i think the rich should forget about having their asses pampered, in this, the start of the french revolution. just quietly pile up your dough, slug back that caviar, and be nice. otherwise, when the guillotine makes a comeback (which is any day now) we're going to bring sandwiches.