USA TODAY

Pastor Joel Osteen opened his Houston megachurch to flood victims Tuesday after social media critics slammed the televangelist for not offering to house people in need. Comments are edited for clarity and grammar:

It was not safe! I mean, can you imagine how much it would have cost to replace the carpeting from all those dirty, wet people?! That cuts into the budget! And big homes don’t buy themselves!

— Glenn J. Heller

I didn’t know Osteen had the only church in Houston. Ask the people who were affected by Hurricane Katrina how comfortable those Superdome seats were while they slept sitting up. Osteen’s church did experience flooding, but when his message on Twitter sending prayers for those affected by the hurricane went out on Sunday, it was mainly telling the thousands of people who usually show up for Sunday morning service not to show up because of the flooding. Why would he want his church members to be caught in the flood?

— Charity Smith

More:Joel Osteen: 'We never turned away' Hurricane Harvey flooding victims

Just keep your feet off the fine furniture, keep your kids quiet, no eating on the sofas, stay out of the offices, and no washing your clothes in the bathrooms. Can you just sit there and stare out into the air?

— Steve Patterson

Just admit you handled the situation poorly, apologize for that and move on, fella.

— Tracy Nickerson

As a Christian, I feel those church doors should have been the first to open, whether prepared or not. To turn away helpless people in a desperate time does not represent the God I serve. I will pray for you, Pastor Osteen, as well as all of those you turned away.

Osteen does not represent all Christians, just those in his flock.

— Billie J. Segars

Careful not to trip while you’re backpedaling so furiously, sir.

— Matthew Farmer

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