WATCH: Joel Osteen’s Intense Debate about Homosexuality on CNN
Friday, September 21, 2012 at 12:09PM 
EEW MAGAZINE NEWS
CNN’s Soledad O’Brien and many other interviewers are quite obsessed with asking pastors to defend their belief in the Bible’s position that homosexuality is categorized as a sin. So when Joel Osteen dropped by to promote his new book, “I Declare: 31 Promises to Speak Over Your Life,” the mega pastor had to navigate his way through an intense debate.
The tense exchange on CNN's "Starting Point," hosted by O’Brien began after she alluded to Osteen’s interview on Piers Morgan’s show in October 2011. “He asked you about homosexuality, Christianity and homosexuality,” she said, “and almost every time we’re on with a pastor, it’s a conversation we have.”
With that prefacing statement, she jumped right in by putting Osteen, who says he strives to uplift everyone, in the hot seat, by suggesting his stance against homosexuality must be the “opposite of uplifting” for the gay members of Lakewood Church.
“I don’t really focus on that. I only talk about that on the interviews,” Osteen explained that he doesn’t harp on sin in his sermons. “The other thing too is, seems like, in Christianity, sometimes we categorize sin. I mean, pride is a sin. Being critical is a sin. Being negative is a sin.”
O’Brien interjected, “Those are all things we can change,” suggesting that homosexuality is irreversible, since the widely accepted position is that gays are born that way.
That’s when Richard Socarides, a writer for The New Yorker, also on CNN’s interviewing panel, jumped in aggressively and asked, “So, don’t you think, though, with the country struggling with increasing acceptance of all its citizens and you’re for basic fairness for everybody, that, in situations where like we’re trying to pass these marriage equality bills in certain states now that you ought to—you have an important voice to lend to that, especially to kids who are maybe worried about who they are and where they fit in the community?”
Osteen answered Socarides’ loaded question by pointing out that he stays “in his lane,” which, according to him is “lifting people’s spirits,” and avoiding divisive debates.
Osteen reiterated his views on homosexuality. “When I read the scripture, I believe that scripture condemns it, or says that it is a sin, but it also says that lying is or being prideful is.”
Ultimately, the conversation ended with Osteen concluding, “I don’t understand all those issues” surrounding homosexuality. “You know, so I try to stick on the issues I do understand. And I know this. I’m for everybody. I’m not for pushing people down. I’m not… I don’t know where the fine line is, but I do try to stay in my lane.”
Watch the video below.
Thoughts?
Reader Comments (11)
He seems afraid to speak the truth. We can't let the blinded get the upper hand. Homosexuality is a sin, whether people believe it or not! No, it isn't the only sin in the world, but sin, nonetheless. It is sickening to see people and their twisted views! Oh, but when Jesus returns....
Why does he keep doing interviews book sales i suppose.
Boy i wished theyd interview me Joel is trying to reason with a pit bull lol
Me: i believe homosexuality is a sin
Them: really arent what about calling gays sinners.
Me: yes maam i am calling them sinners and if they dont repent they will b lost. The parents who tell there kids they can practice homosexuality are sending their children to hell if they dont repent. And no you are not born that way, everyone can change sorry. *blink*
But liars, whoremongers and theives are going as well..and more questions? See john 3:16
why is it so difficult to say to people the truth, Soledad your WRONG. see its easy...try it... the bible is RIGHT and you are WRONG.
so there.
And that little man in the back is just starting trouble, this is spiritual warfare folks, you tell him plainly the bible is right and you are wrong sir.
No one is BORn that way you can THINK you are gay but EVERYONE has a choice, you choice to have sex you can choose not to. The men in SODOM had a CHOICe, that is what THEY wanted to do...so see its VERY SIMPLE. Just because you FEEL a certain way doesnt mean you should. The whole bible is about the sinful nature which DOES CONTRAY to what GOD wants, to say you cant change is making God a liar and GOD doesnt LIE. He would never give a command you cannot carry out.
The bible is the standard i may FEEL like shooting my neighbor in the face because he's driving me crazy but i can CHOOSE to not to, to say you are not capable of making a choice would mean children cannot CHOOSE jesus or a man is legally insane and not responsible for his own actions...sorry i can choose the right thing especially if the bible says it will send me to hell.
Joel Osteen seems likes such a nice guy but I think he can be TOO nice sometimes when it comes to standing his ground.
TD Jakes would have been able to shut it down!!!!!!!!!!
@mesa yeah just like t.d. jakes shut down obama on his stance for same sex marriage, if he is his spiritual advisor then he should give him advice
I love listening to Joel's broadcasts......The world love it's own, we must remember that. When we find ourselves on enemy territory, it's good to ask God to give us strategy to use against the wiles of the devil! Jesus often than not didn't choose to answer the devil, He would usually answer with a question that they couldn't answer and they was forced to back-off! So if you think about it, we don't owe the devil an explanation! We must seek God for His Wisdom, a "word" in season!
My response would have been, I didn't write the bible, i just teach and follow it-so, if you have a problem with what God is saying, then take it up with him, if you choose to suppport the marriages, that doesnt mean i have to, don't push ur views off on me, bibles isn't about opinion, its about the word, and that word only, god doesnt care about my personal feelings on the matter, who am i to change what he's said???????
just simply put,homosexuality is as a result of people being possessed with wrong spirits and these spirits can be cast out
Nice to see "christians" here are as DUMB as ever. You people are one brain cell away from not being able to peel your own fruit.