Pastor Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas is known for his intense positivity, always encouraging people from his congregation to look at the glass half full.
Many have criticised his ministry for turning a blind eye towards serious issues such as hell, but Osteen said he is not cheating people by not talking about these negative things.
"You know, it's not hellfire and brimstone. But I say most people are beaten down enough by life," Osteen said during the special Easter edition of CBS Sunday Morning. "They already feel guilty enough. They're not doing what they should, raising their kids — we can all find reasons. 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 said his ministry's general message speaks of staying in peace, being respectful, sharing joy, and maintaining positivity. He tries to steer clear of politics, and instead focus on the things people encounter during their day-to-day activities.
Osteen also believes that being happy is a choice people have to make for themselves. When they choose to be happy, they are turning their backs on things that are done wrong or things that should not have been said.
Meanwhile, other pastors such as John Burton believes that the church needs to preach about the terrors of hell once again since there has been "a firm and steadfast rejection of any truth" whenever people don't feel a happy affection for God.
"This Christian culture of positivity depicts a God who is so enamoured by us that judgment is contrary to his nature. The deception is that God so values us individually that our enjoyment in life is primary to Him," he wrote in an article for Charisma News.
