Some pastors preach that homosexuality is the worst sin, and seemingly that gays will cause the end of civilization as we know it. Joel Osteen doesn’t. Osteen told Oprah:
I believe they will . Because I believe that you have to have forgiveness for your sins. But sometimes we look at gay being a bigger sin than being proud or not telling the truth. I don’t think God categorizes sins. To think we’re all going to be without one sin … I don’t think any of us would make it to Heaven.
…
I believe that homosexuality is shown as a sin in the scripture.
Related articles
- ‘Oprah’s Next Chapter’: Pastor Joel Osteen On Homosexuality And Sin (huffingtonpost.com)
- Some Religious Double-talk? (kdaddy23.wordpress.com)
- Osteen tells Oprah that Christians focus too much on homosexuality) (chron.com)
It’s progress, I suppose, but — as I point out here: “Homosexuality, Hypocrisy, and the Bible” — I still think Pastor Osteen is being dishonest in his approach. He’s said that he doesn’t mind revising some Biblical positions, like “a life for a life,” so I don’t understand why he’s locked into this one. (Also, I don’t know where homosexuality is specifically called a sin in Scripture.)
So Osteen is no longer one of Unsettled Christianity’s false prophets, I’m glad to see!
As I said… I considered it and changed the category! Plus, my contributors are free to like whom they do!
I like Osteens positive outlook on the Scriptures. I think he swung away from the pendulum of the God hates fags type church movement, into one of grace and mercy of God. And like every pendulum swing of correction, will come back centred.
On another note: Joel I appreciate that you allow us freedom to like who we like and to post what we post and to think what we think. And that you also give us much to think about also.
Funny, I don’t believe in heaven. So, bam!
Does anyone really care what this clown says about Christianity?