Joel Osteen: Being Gay Is A Sin, But I Don't Dislike Gay People (VIDEO)

Houston megachurch Pastor Joel Osteen has said numerous times that he believes being gay is a sin in accordance with his understanding of Christian scripture.

In an appearance on Fox News Sunday, Osteen further discussed his position on being gay by telling host Chris Wallace that he "doesn't dislike anybody" and believes gays are some of "most loving people in the world," despite his strongly held conviction that homosexuality is a sin.

"I believe the scripture says that being gay is a sin. But, you know, every time I say that, Chris … people say, well, you are a gay hater and you’re a gay basher," Osteen told Wallace during the interview. "I'm not. I don't - I don't dislike anybody. Gays are some of the nicest, kindest, most loving people in the world. But my faith is based on what I believe the scripture says, and that's the way I read the scripture.”

Osteen also spoke in general about discrimination against gays, saying that he "doesn't think we should discriminate against anybody." But his views regarding state and federal policy on the rights of gays were more complicated.

Responding to Wallace's question of whether or not gay couples should have the same rights as heterosexuals, Osteen said he supported some rights, but not necessarily full equality.

"I don't think there is an issue where somebody couldn't go visit a gay loved one in the hospital. I don't think that's right. They love each other," Osteen said. " So, I think there should be some."

"I'm not for gay marriage, but I'm not for discriminating against people," he said.

Osteen's comments came just days after he made comments about GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney that raised eyebrows among some Christians, according to the Christian Broadcast Network.

While being interviewed by Wolf Blitzer at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., where the pastor was hosting the event "America's Night of Hope," Osteen spoke positively about Romeny's Mormon faith.

"When I hear Mitt Romney say he believes that Jesus is the Son of God -- that he's the Christ, raised from the dead, that he's his Savior, that's good enough for me," Osteen said.

The comments left some wondering whether Osteen was "endorsing Romney or his faith," according to CBN, leading the pastor to clarify his statements.

"I'm not looking to exclude people, I'm looking to include them," Osteen told the network. "Now, I realize, too, you know I grew up a preacher's kid, that Mormonism is not traditional orthodox Christianity. There are things that I don't agree with but, then again, there are things about other, you know, the Catholics, that I don't agree with -- or even different denominations."

Watch Osteen's interview with Fox News Sunday above.

Check out more statements about homosexuality from right-wing pundits in the slideshow below:

Comments

[phiiiiish]

01:10 AM on 10/31/2012

I was a teenager in the sixties (if it feels good ,do it,don't knockit 'til you tried it, itt's my thing) these were the expressions. I then grew up and found that this is not true, standards need to be followed, but who's standards? I was more of the eastern phylosophies, and then I studied the bible, to give it an even try. It talked to me, I could relate. A house did not have to fall on me,and I was saved at thirty-five. I remember the day so well. I never tried the gay way and I thank God for that. It is an abomination and it is not forgivable. I am not a bigot nor a judge of your future but I can read that all who practice this are in for a shock. I bid you well and a long healthy homosexual life because you will get all the rights you want (it's in the bible) but when you die, comes the JUDGEMENT.

[jcbikeski]

05:11 PM on 04/04/2013

"I never tried the gay way" -- not sure what you mean by that. It would be rare indeed for a straight person to have a try at being gay though there are all kinds out there. So is it wrong to BE gay or just to behave gay as the former is rather hard to avoid for many.

[youbetter23skidoo]

02:54 AM on 08/03/2012

apparently, camels fit through eyes of needles now. what a pathetic shyster.

[ShaneChoi]

05:34 PM on 05/30/2012

"But my faith is based on what I believe the scripture says". No Joel Osteen. That's where you're severely wrong. Faith is not based off of what you say. Our faith is based off of what God and his apostles originally meant it to say.

[WebAntOnYouTube]

10:42 PM on 05/30/2012

What Pastor Olsteen meant to say is that his faith is based on what he believes the scriptures, which were
written by men divinely inspired by God,
say. The only interpretation of the scriptures that any Christian can truly go by is the interpretation that God gives them.

[Carol Anne]

12:46 AM on 05/26/2012

There are sure alot of screwballs who hear God's words and relay a variety of differing views God has on marriage. Look, God spoke to me just today, and told me that gay marriage is perfectly fine. Quit worrying about it. Marriage is a human right, and anyone lucky enough to love someone so much that they want to marry, should be able to. Nothing can degrade the meaning of marriage except for the two in a marriage. Infidelity, hateful arguments, distrust, violence, all can hurt a marriage. But gay marriage can't hurt heterosexual marriage. I quit the church a long time ago, because I saw the fallacy of the many voices of God saying contradictory things. Religion is silly. But do to others what you want them to do to you, is the way we need to live. Be kind to all. Freedom for all.

[LicitraVincent]

08:57 AM on 06/01/2012

Unfortunately there are others who would want crazy things done to them and so do, or try to, such things which are objectionable. So it isn't always, nor often, as easy as you find it to be, for others. Read Leo Tolstoy - The Life of Jesus - The Gospel in Brief. I'm just finishing it up and it could prove useful to some of us.

[FancyPassing]

06:39 PM on 05/22/2012

So... you're not a bad guy, right? You're so gracious, you're all for separate but equal for those sinners, right?

When do we get your ideas for discriminating against other sinners? Like adulterers, for example.

[pjohns]

11:56 AM on 05/20/2012

Seems to me he's being a spiritual acrobat on the high wire. Without a lot of substance in his beliefs. I realize that television gave birth to the tv Jesus Christ and entertainment thereof but shallow by any other name is shallow. And,no, his organization can't have my social security check.

[Peacockjp]

11:58 PM on 05/19/2012

Well, you naughty boy - I don't hate you either. I hate your sin, but I do not hate you, Joel. I think that you have never read the commandments of your Deity, Jesus - Who told you exactly what his most important commandment is. He told you that the most important commandment - is to treat others as you would like to be treated. And You know as well as I do - that you are breaking that most important commandment. I'm told that you smile so much, just so that you can show those fine capped teeth. You need to pray for forgiveness, Joel. And that bleached blond wife of yours also. (Why is it that all of these men - Joel, Mitty - have bleached blond wives? You think it might be because these guys cannot accept their wives the way God Made them?

[LoveTheLord777]

07:34 AM on 08/20/2012

Actually, the greatest commandment given by Jesus was to love the Lord.

"Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Read your Bible before you make comments about what you "think" it says.

[Anthony Barnes]

07:07 PM on 05/18/2012

Leviticus 20:13 KJV

If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

[FancyPassing]

06:41 PM on 05/22/2012

This is America. So that means nothing.

[WebAntOnYouTube]

10:47 PM on 05/30/2012

With most people in America identifying themselves as Christians, that is not even remotely true and you know it. On top of that, there are a significant number of Jews and Muslims who also believe in the Old Testament. Your statement could not be more false.

[ShaneChoi]

05:39 PM on 05/30/2012

very true Anthony. People have this self righteous idea of gay marriage and it being right. But what is right in the eyes of the people is not always right in the eyes of God. People can do what they want, but if they don't listen to God, then the same of what happened to Babylon, and Sodom and Gomorrah will happen to them.

[WebAntOnYouTube]

10:48 PM on 05/30/2012

Amen to that.

[Anthony Barnes]

07:06 PM on 05/18/2012

Leviticus 20:13 KJV

If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

Now Jesus died for the sins of all who repent and receive him as their personal Lord and Savior because God so loved a world full of sinners. (John 3:16) Now, anyone who refuses to accept Jesus are also refusing to accept him dying for their sins and have nothing to look forward to but God punishing them for their own sins. Their blood is on their own hands or they are responsible for their own fate.

[derekjuhl]

02:39 AM on 07/18/2012

1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord -- Lev. 1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?
3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness -- Lev. 15:19-24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offence.
4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

[derekjuhl]

02:41 AM on 07/18/2012

[cont.]
6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination -- Lev. 11:10 -- it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?
9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?
10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them?
-- Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

[Anthony Barnes]

06:21 PM on 05/18/2012

There is no doubt that all of us violate scriptures of the Bible in some way or another, whether knowingly or unknowingly. Engaging in homosexual acts is just one violation out of many and should not be focused upon or elevated above others sins except when it becomes an issue. For instance,like when you try to get a job at a Christian school like Shorter University and cannot sign the lifestyle agreement that requires you denounce a number of sins, including things like adultery, fornication, public intoxication,engaging in homosexual acts,etc.

[Peacockjp]

12:00 AM on 05/20/2012

Anthony - Please - would you point out the exact words of Jesus - where he says anything about Homosexuality.

[WebAntOnYouTube]

10:51 PM on 05/30/2012

I just quoted from you the Old Testament and anyone that knows anything about Jesus knows he did not contradict a single thing in the Old Testament. He did not come to destroy the law but he came to fulfill it. He came to die in the place of sinners for their sins so it would no longer be necessary for his people to kill them.

[youbetter23skidoo]

03:01 AM on 08/03/2012

the mixing of fabrics, the boiling of a goat in it's mother's milk, blah blah blah

[dimplasm]

03:47 PM on 05/18/2012

Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show: Brother Love has spoken. Now pass the plate.

[Anthony Barnes]

11:29 PM on 05/18/2012

If you would see how many people's lives have been changed for the better on account of ministries like Joel Osteen's, you would know that mocking them is pretty stupid.

[Peacockjp]

12:35 AM on 05/20/2012

I hear what you are saying - and I welcome you here. I also know that Osteen? (is that his name?) has greatly enriched his bank account - and lined his pockets from his so-called ministry. (How much have you mailed in?)

[Timothy Unrine]

12:48 PM on 05/18/2012

Joel is a motivational speaker NOT a preacher, definitely not a man of God, unless it's In God We Trust.

The Gospel According To Joel is the feel-good gospel, don't tell someone they can't, or they won't (give in the collection plate or buy the next book).

Jesus spoke of lovers of money, and pride.

Joel's gospel is like a driving instructor teaching your kid how to drive, green means go, yellow means give it some gas before it turns red - - red - we don't cover red - people don't like to stop.

Joel's gospel teaches one way signs, speed limits (as suggestions) for fails to teach red lights, yield signs, stop signs, or how to parallel park.

So Joel doesn't prepare his flock to survive the red lights, stop lights or yield signs - and his flock gets in many crashes.

Driven by money - isn't Christ centered.

[Peacockjp]

12:37 AM on 05/20/2012

wow - timothy - I really like reading all of that - Right to the heart - and certainly better than I could have said it.

[J Perry2013]

03:46 PM on 05/13/2013

wow - timothy - you couldn't be more wrong. When you become God, then you can be confident in judging others. There is absolutely no biblical bases for this kind of slander. You do not know that man's heart, intentions or motivations. If God called him to preach, then he is a preacher. How would you know what God called him to do? This is Bible:
The Gospel According To Matthew:
7: 1-2: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

[IamLoveLight]

11:42 AM on 05/18/2012

.... oh I won't even go here ~ LOL ... you talk about about someone who cannot "SEE THE LIGHT" ~ ~ ~
~*~
G❤D DOES NOT JUDGE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ MAN DOES!!

[Aegis13]

02:32 AM on 05/15/2012

Hmm. Joel Osteen is a bigot, that has convinced several million that his brain is actually better than theirs and that he knows things they don't.

Not surprising then that he can suggest to them that Leviticus was somehow a Christian, even though Christ was born 1400 year after Leviticus.

Please feel free to call yourselves whatever you think the people who agree with you will be calling themselves 1400 years from now.

[Anthony Barnes]

06:26 PM on 05/18/2012

Bigot? I have seen no evidence that that man hates anyone. He is one of the most inclusive Christians out there. As a matter of fact, sometimes he gets a little too inclusive. Just because the man refuses to believe that homosexuality is okay does not make him a bigot. You need to learn to be more tolerant of those who do not agree with you.

[FancyPassing]

07:04 PM on 05/22/2012

And so does he, and so do you... intolerance of anyone you disagree with is bigotry. Hate isn't always part of it. Nearly everyone is intolerant of something. The trouble is when you justify discrimination with your bigotry.

No one is telling you what to believe. What they are saying is that you've no right to define the rights of others based on your bigotry. Not in America.

[Peacockjp]

12:40 AM on 05/20/2012

Yes - he has definitely shown himself to be a bigot - in the interviews where he has been asked about homosexuality. The soft spoken bigots are worse than the screamers.

[WebAntOnYouTube]

10:54 PM on 05/30/2012

No one will ever go out and kill or hurt a gay based on anything he has said so you could not be more wrong.

[J Perry2013]

03:18 PM on 05/13/2013

How would you feel if someone called you a bigot! He is not a bigot? It is normal for Christians to believe the Bible and endeavor to follow it. Don't be upset with him, he's just expressing his belief in the Word of God as a Christian.

If you are constantly trying to persuade others who think it's wrong, then maybe it is wrong - and deep down inside you know it. People hid in the "closest" because they believed that what they were doing was wrong. You don't see heterosexuals on the news, TV and in parades shouting "I'm Straight!" because their sexual orientation has been/is considered normal.

Don't be angry because not everyone agrees to or accepts your sexual preference. Who you prefer to have sex with is your business (and should be kept to yourself), that's between you and God. He's the only one who can judge you. All Christians can do it love everyone, pray, and believe God! There is nothing wrong with people who do not accept the homosexual lifestyle. Not everyone accepts the heterosexual lifestyle. When people speak against it, you don't here cries of discrimination. Why should it be different for homosexuals? No matter who you are or what you do, NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO EMBRACE YOUR CHOICES AND DECISIONS! That's life! You cannot make a Christian stop being a Christian and expressing his Christian views - why would you even try. This country was founded on Christian principles and values.

[Aegis13]

02:12 AM on 05/15/2012

Being a greedy person who would take advantage of people with less money than you to provide yourself with a living is also a sin. According to your bible, Jesus would not forgive you for that. Then again, anyone who has read and understood your bible wouldn't be giving you money either though Joel.

Keep stealing from the uneducated, while you cut funding for education. We might beat out China one day if we can enslave the idiots among us.