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Osteen to Gays: You're Sinners, But I Don't Hate You

Osteen to Gays: You're Sinners, But I Don't Hate You

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The Houston megachurch pastor says that believing homosexuality is a sin doesn't mean he's a "hater" or a "basher."

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Megachurch pastor Joel Osteen says being gay is a sin, but claims that belief doesn't make him a "gay hater" or a "gay basher."

Appearing yesterday on Fox News Sunday, Osteen told host Chris Wallace, "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. 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."

When Wallace asked about marriage rights or other forms of relationship recognition for gay couples, Osteen said he had no problem with limited rights, such as allowing for hospital visitation. "I think there should be some," he said. "I'm not for gay marriage, but I'm not for discriminating against people." Here, watch Wallace's interview with Osteen and his wife, Victoria, copastor of Lakewood Church in Houston.

Meanwhile, a new study provides evidence that analytical thinking can undercut religious belief. Researchers at the University of British Columbia gave participants tasks to perform, then asked them about their degree of religious devotion. The researchers found that belief levels decreased among subjects who had worked on analytical projects.

"Our findings suggest that activating the 'analytic' cognitive system in the brain can undermine the 'intuitive' support for religious belief, at least temporarily," said study coathor Ara Norenzayan, a psychology professor at the university, according to ScienceDaily. The study was published in the April 27 edition of the journal Science.

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Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.
Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.