It's time again to break out your Cher Twitter translator, Instincters.

The cherished gay icon spent the early morning hours defending herself to hordes of Twitterers after praising anti-gay TV preacher Joel Osteen for making "Every1 feel welcome to his church no matter who they are."

"I love Joel Osteen, he's an example of Christian," tweeted Cher. "I know this sounds crazy coming from me, but he's cool, upbeat, wants you to have fun, he's funny and not preachy!"