A viral meme falsely claims that no American megachurches have offered support to Ukrainians. But that’s not true. Let’s take a look at the facts.
NewsLit takeaway
People and partisan groups often find ways to use major news events like the war in Ukraine to score political points. Megachurches and celebrity pastors — including Joel Osteen of Lakewood Church in Houston, which is pictured in this meme— have previously been targets of misinformation, particularly in the wake of disasters. This post is also a good example of how a “sheer assertion” — or a claim made without evidence — can be shared widely when it connects with people’s existing beliefs and biases.
- “Megachurches in U.S. Are Supporting Ukraine Relief, Contrary to Social Media Posts” (Brea Jones, FactCheck.org).
- “Fact Check: Many US Megachurches DO Offer Relief And Support To The Ukrainian People” (Ed Payne, Lead Stories).
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