One of my favorite people, Joel Osteen, has recently come under fire and been tagged "homophobic" by several gay media outlets.

Osteen, a pastor at one of the nation's largest churches, was invited to attend a picnic for gay and lesbian families but declined.

Instead, Joel invited Jay Bakker (Tammy Faye's son) and other planners for the invite to attend his massive Lakewood church and meet with the Osteen family.

Bakker said Osteen was very cordial and inviting, but admitted that two men don't see eye to eye on the gay issue. Jay says Joel thinks homosexuality is a sin, but Tammy Faye (a gay icon) had taught him differently.

I have read most of Joel Osteen's book, and I watch his sermon from Houston's Compaq Center weekly. In my experience Osteen has never judged anyone and always teaches love and compassion. I have never heard him refer to being gay as a sin or pass judgment on anyone.

Maybe we'll all just have to agree to disagree.