why because he's a motivational speaker who gives people hope?
better a guy plays baseball/football/basketball contributes nothing and makes 10x as much as Osteen?
better some shitty investment banker who scams money, insider trading makes billions for his banker friends?
He's a snake oil salesmen.
But you're correct, people need hope and that is what religion is primarily for. People need to be happy and not live in fear. Not fear death. Believe in Heaven.
My mom watches Joel's show and likes the guy. But growing up in Houston you learn about all the backdoor "behind the scenes" deals he's gotten away with. It's almost like he is being protected from prosecution.
There is no doubt in my mind that people are given a great sense of hope and happiness from listening to his ramblings.
He's not much different from the email/phone scam artists in Jamaica that rip people off.
But at the end of the day i could care less if people believe in him and his words.
His books are very odd, he does not stick to the bible, he's making up his own version.
I see him as a cult leader and rightfully so.