Osteen Willing to Vote for Candidate of Different Faith

STEFANIE SCHARTEL 

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Joel Osteen speaks at A Night of Hope with his wife, Victoria, at Yankee Stadium. (Joel Osteen Ministries )

For televangelist Joel Osteen, faith isn’t the primary determinant when it comes to voting for a president.

Appearing Tuesday night on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight, the Lakewood Church pastor said he would have no problem voting for a presidential candidate who holds a different set of beliefs than his own—and that includes Mormon Republican candidate Mitt Romney.

“That would not stop me from voting for somebody,” Osteen said. “I would look at the total candidate though—you know, what's their experience, what's their education, what do they stand for? I don't think I would vote for somebody just because they're a Mormon or anything like that.”

When Morgan asked about backing a Jewish candidate, Osteen didn’t think twice: “Sure, I could vote for a Jewish candidate—that's how our faith was started. They're God's chosen people in Scripture.” But as Morgan posed the hypothetical question of voting for a Muslim candidate, Osteen was a bit more hesitant.

Joel Osteen Comments on 'Con Artist' Televangelists, Politics and Homosexuality

By Katherine Weber , Christian Post Reporter

June 7, 2012

Pastor Joel Osteen recently shared with a Colorado news station how he believes he stands out from other Christian leaders who solicit donations through television ministries, as well as his views on politics and homosexuality.

While acknowledging in the June 5 interview with news reporter Ron Zappolo that some people are often turned off by evangelism, especially due to televangelists who request money while preaching on TV, the Lakewood Church pastor insisted he was different.

"I try to be just the opposite. I try to be myself. That's why on television, I never ask for money. I try to be the opposite," Osteen said.

The popular pastor and author went on to say that he doesn't ask for money on television "because I realize people are thinking, when they flip you on to begin with, they're thinking 'he's after my money, he's a con artist.' You know, you have to overcome that, but I believe that sincerity comes through when people realize you're just trying to help them live a better life."