Washington, D.C. — Joel Osteen of the Houston megachurch Lakewood Church told Chris Wallace on Sunday that he believes being gay is a sin.

The 49-year-old Osteen, who is currently pitching his new book Everyday a Friday, added that he is not a homophobe.

"I believe the Scripture says being gay is a sin," he said during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. "But every time I say that Chris, I get people saying, 'Well, you're a gay hater and you're a gay basher.' I'm not. 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 added that while he doesn't support marriage equality he opposes discrimination against gay people.

"I don't think we should discriminate against anybody. So I think, yes, I don't think, you know, there was an issue where somebody couldn't go visit a gay loved one in a hospital. I don't think that's right. They love each other. So, I think there should be some – I'm not for gay marriage – but I'm not for discriminating against people."



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