Article By Cheryl Salters // EEW Magazine // Faith & Culture

Last week, millions were surprised when "The View” co-host, Joy Behar, equated hearing Jesus speak to suffering mental illness.

Christian guest co-host Sherri Shepherd quickly corrected the snarky comic, but also, refused to be offended.

“We don’t have to get mad about it, because Jesus defends Himself," she said.

The controversial chat was sparked by reality TV star and former White House senior aide, Omarosa Manigualt-Newman. She called Vice President Mike Pence “extreme” for suggesting that Jesus communicated with him and guided his choices.

“He’s extreme,” said the “Celebrity Big Brother” contestant, who was just evicted from the famous house. “I’m Christian. I love Jesus, but he thinks Jesus tells him to say things… I’m like, ‘Jesus ain’t say that.’”

Behar, a comedian and cynic, responded to Manigault-Newman’s revelation on the daytime talker by saying, "It’s one thing to talk to Jesus. It’s another thing when Jesus talk to you. That's called mental illness, if I'm not correct. Hearing voices."

Shepherd, who spent seven years as a regular co-host on the show before exiting, defended Christians that express their faith in the supernatural power of God.

“As a Christian, that’s just par for the course. You talk to Jesus. Jesus talks back,” she said.

Ironically, when Hollywood Medium, Tyler Henry, who claims to talk to the dead, appeared on “The View,” no one—not even Behar—suggested that he was mentally ill.

Co-host Meghan McCain, who took issue with Behar's comments as well, said she believes Jesus talks to her every morning.

Following the airing of the Christian-bashing chat, Vice President Pence responded by chiding ABC and calling Behar's response "wrong" and "an insult" to Christians that cherish their faith.

After facing severe backlash, Behar back-tracked, claiming she does not, in fact, believe that Christians are mentally ill, and tells viewers, "I am a Christian myself."

A repentant Behar continued, "I don't mean to offend people, but apparently, I keep doing it," and told everyone, "It was a joke. Comedians are in danger these days."

Watch the full response-segment below.