An elaborate hoax targeted televangelist Joel Osteen.

A man named Justin Tribble created a fake website saying the famous pastor had given up his Christian faith.

Tribble says he watches the pastor and follows his teachings and that he started the whole scheme to open a dialogue.

"I enjoy his sermons. I didn't want to hurt the guy. I didn't want to de-fame him. I wanted to get a message to him. Tone down the cliches and get real," said Tribble.

"I'm not angry. I don't feel like a victim. I feel too blessed and that life is too short to let things like this get you down," said Osteen.

Tribble said he hopes Osteen reaches out to him because he is a man who is "essentially inaccessible."