Jamal Parris, Bishop Eddie Long's Alleged Victim, Speaks (VIDEO)

Jamal Parris, 23, spoke on camera about the alleged sex crimes committed against him by Atlanta-area Bishop Eddie Long.

ABC News reports that a journalist from a Fox News affiliate confronted Parris outside of a Colorado grocery store, and heard from the alleged victim these shocking words:

"I cannot get his voice out of my head. I cannot forget the smell of his cologne...I'm not able to take enough showers to wipe the smell of him off of my body."

Parris is one of four young men who have filed suit against the megachurch Bishop, who is outspokenly anti-homosexual and known for preaching abstinence. The first lawsuits were filed last week, alleging that Bishop Long used money, cars, and travel to entice or coerce the men into sex. The alleged victims were 17 or 18 years old at the time of the abuse.

Parris's lawsuit alleges that Long "used Holy Scripture to justify and support the sexual activity."

Long adamantly denies the accusations against him.

WATCH:

Comments

[ThaBrainz]

11:16 AM on 11/18/2010

Is this a situation of preacher under attack or just being exposed, check out some recent conversation about this very thing. I wonder if New Birth even really knows. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/centerstage/2010/09/25/under-attack

[Imhotep40]

01:00 PM on 10/15/2010

I know that this article is about Bishop Long & his alleged abuse of young Parishioners within his Flock; but I'd like to examine this from another angle - Prosperity Theology: Tithing/Sowing Seeds in fertile soil for rewards/bounty 10-fold, being blessed & highly favored - are all phrases I've heard from the Pulpit regarding this aspect of Christian doctrine. This isn't my attempt to judge or denigrate this philosophy, but rather to examine the results or outcome of this wealth focus.

A majority of the indicators that one has to show or acknowledge that a person has achieved this manna from Heaven or "favor" are material in nature. Large houses, expensive cars, clothing, jewelry etc. are the things that individuals can tangibly attribute to success/wealth; but how do you measure spiritual wealth/enlightenment? Bishop Long's guilt or innocence is tempered in the court of public opinion by his flamboyant lifestyle and material accumulation, yet the spiritual wealth that is most necessary in this time of need appears to have taken a back seat. The lure of the worldly temptations is the focus & serves as a distraction from the spiritual goals of religious practice.

Envy, conceit, jealousy, covetousness, resentment, rivalry, unfaithfulness, status etc. are all by-products of this physical paradigm. I believe that spiritual wealth can impact the physical realm, but physical wealth only detracts in the spiritual realm.

Seek spiritual truth and love, the rest will follow . . .

[Deborah Robinson]

03:43 PM on 10/08/2010

I have a plea to Parris and the other 3 accusers:

I urge each of you not to settle these cases. Your ‘pain’ as one of you said, was not in vain. This is an opportunity to change the very foundation of the Church, especially the Black Church. Stick it out. Don’t settle for the money. Your trials were ‘for such a time as this.’ Continue through the process and allow the Christian community to have the truth behind your cases.

Do not allow Long and New Birth to hide behind the law with statements like "With the advice of counsel I am not going to address the allegations and attack levied against me."

Do not allow Long and New Birth to hide behind his faith with statements like, "I have never in my life portrayed myself as a perfect man, but I am not the man that's being portrayed on the television."

Do not allow Long and New Birth to hide behind religion with statements like, "I feel like David against Goliath. But, I got five rocks and I haven't thrown one yet."

Do not allow Long and New Birth to hide behind the truth with statements like "I'm going to fight and fight very vigorously against these charges."

Keep these cases before the public and the Church and force Long to either deny the accusations outright or repent and ask his heavenly Father and those he has offended for forgiveness.

www.DeborahTV.com

[concentric1]

03:56 PM on 10/05/2010

Eddie Long is a Jesus Pimp! He, Creflo Dollar, Fred Price, Joyce Meyers, Paula WHite, Benny Hinn have no interest in people's spirits just their wallets. Their brand of prosperity theology is highly personalized. They simply want to get their hands in your pocket and keep it their. Your soul or character is of no consequence to them. What's worse are those who blindly follow these people and annoint them people of God when in fact they are simply worshipers of the almighty dollar. I would employ people to wake up and stop tithing to the alter of pimp nation but people like to be led and they like to be led by some of the most unctious individuals. In a way you can't even blame Long for his greedy and immoral ways because the people he leads are so trusting, gullible, and forgiving. Nuf said.

[gatoux12]

08:52 PM on 10/07/2010

You do not know anyone of those people mind your business check your own house out.

[Mabila]

01:16 AM on 10/09/2010

"He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her"

[Justo1972]

11:14 PM on 10/15/2010

@Mabila: I am afraid you quoted it out of context...

[Justo1972]

11:29 PM on 10/15/2010

megachurch = "moneychanger within the temple"

[ElaineOO]

11:54 AM on 10/04/2010

Hello,

Should we immediately believe everything we hear?

[Garspies]

06:51 PM on 10/04/2010

No, except what I tell you.

[wwoody]

10:55 PM on 10/04/2010

No of coarse not, but look who telling the story,
r

[imfedup]

11:52 PM on 10/03/2010

He hasn't "adamantly denied the allegations." Spokespeople have denied them. This is a nice way for him to avoid hell (from his point of view, of course). Funny that it appears he doesn't consider the acts themselves hell-worthy -- just lying about them.

[wittgene]

06:33 PM on 10/02/2010

Isn't it amazing how many people stood up and cheered? This reminds me of how Hitler, Jim Jones and Bush were able to manipulate the masses.

[imfedup]

11:52 PM on 10/03/2010

Cult of personality.

[Terri Douglass]

01:43 PM on 10/08/2010

Wow... to equate Bust to Hitler is total ignorance. I may not be a Bush supporter, but the differences between the two are immense. So, do you equate everyone that differs from you politically, religiously, emotionally, etc. as being similar to Hitler?

[LeftLeanWing]

01:38 PM on 10/02/2010

Jamal Parris Interview Part 2, 

accuser admits to having sex with Eddie Long in the church before and after services, in his condos, in his house ! 

[concernvoter]

11:13 AM on 10/02/2010

This young man actually needs counseling, because he will always feel like his life was robbed by a man that he trusted as a minister. I'm sure these young men felt like they were safe, because they were fathered by someone who was chosen as a man of God. Only to find out that their nightmare started at New Birth.

[miamorphos]

10:01 AM on 10/02/2010

I could do without the horrible thought of Eddie Long's cologne. This is a dismal story, and I hope that this makes us a little more aware of the weirdness of people's thinking in "antigay megachurches." (I think there should be a punk band called Antigay Megachurch. It has an interesting ring.)

[Buckeye54]

08:29 AM on 10/02/2010

This scandal, like so many other scandals involving preachers and their churches, illustrate a bigger problem.

Perhaps Bishop Eddie Long wouldn't have had the money to fling around to buy these young men clothes, cars & bling if they weren't tax-exempt.

Tax-exemption is government support of churches. If they were being taxed just like any other business or organization, perhaps Bishop Long wouldn't have had the cash to pursue these kind of activities and to buy these young mens' silence.

If you are a parishioner of Bishop Long's and continue to donate money to his church, you are aiding & abetting this kind of activity.

[jusathot]

02:11 PM on 10/02/2010

I do not know why these big businesses are tax exempt, or why donations to them are also. If you give to your church, you give to your church--why should you get a credit? If they were not tax exempt their followers would simply pay the taxes, anyway. The point is the church is a big bastion of power for sale. I listened to a Pastor call Candidate Obama a murderer, a homosexual, even the Anti Christ--clearly a paid propaganda tool--nothing to do with saving souls--clearly a politician--yet has tax free status.

[imfedup]

11:53 PM on 10/03/2010

The church doesn't pay taxes, but the "Bishop" does have to.

[Crixus]

01:08 AM on 10/02/2010

Can people please stop quoting the scripture about “not judging”. It is such a poor, lame and weak excuse for not applying your god given discernment. The fact of the matter is that you and I make judgements everyday about things and people that affect the way we live our lives so use that scripture in correct context.

To Jamal and the other three boys who filed the lawsuit:

Thanks for bringing into the focus the plight of many defenceless victims of abuse who feel they don’t have a voice. Taking on the might of Bishop long and his empire is very brave indeed and I hope this will empower other victims of abuse of any kind to speak out and refuse to be intimidated by their perpetrators.

Is it possible that the academy for young men at New Birth is just a front to be used as a fishing pool where Bishop Long targets and grooms potential victims?

If he uses Holy Scriptures to justify his sex acts…. my god! What other false teachings is he using to spiritually rape, manipulate and deceive the members at New Birth?

The predatory nature of the grooming process as stated in the lawsuits are so calculated and well thought through. Is bishop Long truly a man of God or are we witnessing before our eyes a false prophet/teacher as warned by the bible?

[Toutlaguerre]

06:55 AM on 10/02/2010

People quote that scripture when the shoe is not on their foot. The fact remains that we "judge" based on a judgement that has already been passed by the ultimate lawmaker God. So nothing is wrong with judging because He says that certain acts are wrong so we discern from the scriptures whether or not a person has committed a "wrong". Having said that, I think you raised some critical issues and this man should be investigated. So should and all those who continue to " spiritually rape, manipulate and deceive members" in the name of religion. By their fruits you will know them is what Jesus said. How people can be so blinded to the hypocrisy in religions today is beyond me. I cannot comprehend how a congregation that is predominantly "not rich" can have such a flashy, stylish pastor living on a 20-acre property and continue to support his lifestyle. Let's hope that these four young boys get some justice, as for the congregation supporters..may they desist from having their ears tickled still!!

[juzcuz]

08:07 PM on 10/01/2010

This kid is committing hari-kari in CO Springs.. it's one of the most bigoted, redneck, bible thumping cities in the country... does he realize that CO Springs is where Focus on the Family (LGBT biggest enemy) is headquartered??

[monicaangela]

06:22 PM on 10/01/2010

According to my understanding of the Church, it is suppose to be a sanctuary, a place where people go to learn, be taught, and gain a better understanding of how to live their lives through certain principles.  I also thought that churches were so suppose to be like family, one member caring as much for the next member as they do for those in the community outside the church, the poor hopeless sinners that they so wish would join their sect and gain knowledge...What does this say to those people that may be thinking about getting involved with a religious organization of this type.  If the church members were aware of the close relationship the Bishop had through this organization for young men, which the young men or their parents had to pay to attend, then they know this could have possibly happened.  If they refuse to believe it, which most that I have seen on new channels say, then where is their love for these four young men.  Can they say without a doubt that these men are lying?  Are there none in the church that have a close relationship with the Bishop and have been on these trips with him willing to stand up.  In the complaint against the Bishop, redacted names of people who were on the trips, and witnessed some of the interactions are there.  Are lawyers advising these people not to state what they know before the trial?  I guess what I would like to know is, where is the support for these young men and their families?

[jusathot]

02:15 PM on 10/02/2010

People tend to support the powerful--who do not need their support.

[anlalib]

05:06 PM on 10/01/2010

Amazingly the recent survey regarding knowledge of religion (or lack of) explains how things like this can happen. Someone with clout in the church can (allegedly) justify his actions by manipulating the gospels. When are people going to wake up and understand that they don't need a middleman to develop a relationship with God or any Higher Power. It is this manipulation of religion that has caused most of the conflicts in the World today. Wake up, people.

[monicaangela]

06:12 PM on 10/01/2010

Very well said, I agree.  Fanned and faved !!

[Chikkipop]

12:56 AM on 10/02/2010

Manipulating the gospels? That may be how religious leaders attempt to justify their actions, but the reason they get the opportunity to "act" in the first place is because they are granted a power status they don't deserve. The more people who become aware that the teachings of religion are false, the less you will hear of these abuse stories. Do you think this Eddie Long guy would try something on me?!

It is true that a middleman is not needed; people are perfectly capable of having their own imaginary relationships. But there is something about the madness of crowds, the need to belong, that keeps organized superstition in business.

What is a "Higher Power"?