Popular Pastor Joel Osteen appeared on CNN Thursday morning for quite the round-table alongside the Richard Socarides that turned into what should've been an Aha! moment for the man of the cloth. 

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!"

TV megachurch pastor Joel Osteen reiterated his belief that gays are sinners during an appearance on Fox News yesterday with Chris Wallace. But, hey, he thinks we're some of the "nicest people in the world," so there's that! Thanks for throwing us a bone, Joel!

(Video and transcript follow.)

Don't let that bad case of the gay keep those Pearly Gates in the clouds above out of reach, homosexuals. Mega-church Pa$tor Joel Osteen, fresh off his weekly phone chat with Jeebus, reveals to Oprah that there is hope for us sinning gays.