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Megachurch pastor Joel Osteen and his wife, Victoria, caught major flak after photos of them at their son's Jonathan's graduation from the University of Texas went viral. The family was photographed throwing the "Hook 'em Horns" hand sign that is nearly synonymous with attending UT.
Outside of the university's usage portraying their mascot, the Texas Longhorn Bevo, the gesture has also been used in the music world, popularized by the late Ronnie James Dio, who used it to mean "rock on."
However, in some cultures, the "Hook 'em Horns" sign is construed as a sign of the devil, and many people on social media called Osteen and his family out in response for using what they perceived to be the devil's sign.
See the original photos below as well as some of the more outraged comments from the Osteens' Twitter followers.
Congratulations @JonathanOsteen on your graduation from the University of Texas at Austin! I couldn’t be more proud! pic.twitter.com/cw7hcChut6
— Victoria Osteen (@VictoriaOsteen) May 20, 2017
We had a great day celebrating @JonathanOsteen‘s graduation from the University of Texas at Austin! So proud of him! pic.twitter.com/fHATVCFPQy
— Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) May 20, 2017
@VictoriaOsteen @JonathanOsteen Doing horns?! Even though is UT, that symbol ain't good! Thats devil's symbol!
— Isaac Hogg (@isaachogg) May 21, 2017
@VictoriaOsteen @JonathanOsteen Pst Joel I read and share your devotions with my family, very fond of you but you should've be sensitive to that sign, to christ its wrong
— wayne (@waynekitt) May 21, 2017
@VictoriaOsteen @JonathanOsteen Yea what's with the Satanist hex
— sergio gonzalez jr (@hoodysoldy) May 20, 2017
@VictoriaOsteen @JonathanOsteen What symbolic signs are u showing the world? Congratulations for belonging to the 😈 or what? Pls Victoria kindly explain.
— Andre Andre (@AndreUPX) May 21, 2017
@JoelOsteen @JonathanOsteen That's symbol depicted by your fingers has sent a very deep message on your identity.
— Oyola Kiasa (@sir_oyola) May 20, 2017
@JoelOsteen @JonathanOsteen Why on Earth would you use the devil sign? My goodness a thumbs up would work or you don't have thumbs??😶😶😶
— askofu indimuli (@ian_indimuli) May 20, 2017
@VictoriaOsteen @JonathanOsteen Is it just me is anybody else troubled by hand gestures
— American Dad (@God_Guns45) May 20, 2017
@VictoriaOsteen @JonathanOsteen Please explain why you u used that sign @JoelOsteen ,@VictoriaOsteen we seem not to understand 🐃🐐🐂🐮
— Daakye Hene Emma (@LallypopGuy) May 20, 2017
@VictoriaOsteen @JonathanOsteen @VictoriaOsteen why that sign, really your teachings have uplifted us but that sign makes me concerned and worried
— J So-oabeb (@JosefSoabeb) May 22, 2017
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