The Joel Osteen Resignation Hoax stems from a 2013 viral prank where a sophisticated parody website and several social media accounts claimed the mega-church pastor was leaving the ministry due to a crisis of faith. Despite a quick debunking by Osteen's team, the story spread like wildfire, exposing how easily the internet can be deceived by professional-looking misinformation. In meme culture, this event is often referenced to satirize the wealth and influence of televangelists or to highlight the chaotic nature of breaking news on social media. It remains a staple template for commentary on gullibility, corporate religion, and the 'fake news' era.