In a video interview, televised Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen finally came out on the gay issue, saying that he believed God accepts homosexuals, as reported by The Houston Chronicle on Saturday.
HuffPo Live host Josh Zepps quoted from Osteen’s new book: “It doesn’t matter who likes you or who doesn’t like you, all that matters is God likes you. He accepts you, he approves of you.”
Zepps followed up by asking if that included homosexuals.
“Absolutely,” Osteen insisted, “I believe that God has breathed his life into every single person. We’re all on a journey. Nobody’s perfect.”
When Josh asked Pastor Osteen if non Christians can go to heaven, he responded that he is 'not one to judge,' but from what he sees in the scriptures you have to have a relationship with Jesus.
The Houston megapastor and best-selling author Joel Osteen, whose followers include the likes of Cher and Oprah Winfrey, is hitting the talk-show circuit to promote his new book, “Break Out! 5 Keys to Go Beyond Your Barriers and Live an Extraordinary Life.”
The question of Osteen's view of the current Pope also came up, to which Osteen replied that he especially appreciates the inclusive nature of Pope Francis: "I think the Pope is fantastic, his tone, his humility."
During a previous exchange in September 2012 with CNN's Soledad O'Brien, Osteen was hit on his view that being gay was a sin, according to biblical scripture. Osteen also added that the Bible says many other things are sins too, and that he tries to stick to issues he understands.
Like what you’ve read? Subscribe to receive (spam free) email notifications for top news articles.
Emily Sutherlin is also the Pregnancy Examiner.
Got something to say? Say it on Examiner by following this link to sign up.
©2013 Emily M. Sutherlin. All Rights Reserved.
