Embattled mega church preacher Bishop Eddie Long came as close to confessing his sexual debauchery as any debaucher could come without actually confessing. He cryptically told his singing, shouting, handclapping flock that he wasn't a perfect man, and that he would face some painful situations. This was a good step forward for Long. He didn't do the usual soft shoe, duck and dodge around the issue. Or worse, defiantly claim that he was being persecuted for being a pure and righteous man of God. Or even worse still, break out in a teary eyed plea to family and flock for forgiveness.
These are the stock ploys that a bevy of celeb preachers, politicians and a Pope snatch at when caught with their sexual hypocrisy exposed. Long didn't go there. He simply spun his hypocrisy as that of a man engaged in a thoughtful and reflective soul search. Long now should take one more step in his soul search and apologize for his greatest sin. That's his near decade long, relentless, gay bash. Long didn't just do what many conservative fundamentalist black preachers do and quietly twist scripture and verse to make the case that God condemns gays to eternal hell and damnation. He actively led crusades against gay marriage, and by extension gays, railed against them on his websites, in fiery sermons, loudly backed George W. Bush's federal amendment banning gay marriage, and led a slanderous march to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s gravesite to denounce gay marriage. Each new accusation that Long used his youth training academy as a cover to procure kid sex, may ultimately prove him to be not just a hypocrite, but a full blown sexual predator.
Long then should issue a statement, better still do what he does best, and deliver a sermon on tolerance. That's tolerance toward all those who have a different sexual preference. He should invite the leaders of the nation's top gay rights organizations to take a front row seat at his church and look them square in the eye, as he preaches his sermon on tolerance. He should then make it plain to his mostly black congregation that he does not want them to mindlessly and blindly shout "Jesus Jesus" and "it's time to praise him," and sang hymns such as "white as snow" as they did when he made his kind of sort of admission of guilt from the pulpit. This reinforces the despicable notion that blacks are narrow, bigoted, and brain dead zombies who will give a pass to even the most blatant and outrageous criminal and sexual behavior and exploitation as long as it's done in the name of Jesus and the offender is black.
Afterwards, Long should announce in tandem with gay organization leaders that New Birth Missionary Baptist Church will set up a new academy dedicated to the principle and practice of tolerance. He took a light step in that direction some time back when at the prodding of Soulforce, a gay Christian advocacy group, he played at having a dialogue on his attitudes toward gays. That didn't go very far. This time it should.
Long set the standard of bigotry and bias for a new generation of conservative fundamentalist mega black churchmen on gay rights. An apology and outreach won't undo that. It can though be a step toward his personal repentance. God, I'm sure, would approve.
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Wallace Best, Ph.D.: Lessons from the Rev. Eddie Long Scandal: Some Historical Context
David A. Love: The Eddie Long Scandal: Betraying the Memory of MLK
Jamal Parris, one of the four men who have accused anti-gay Pastor Eddie Long of sexual abuse, spoke out about the trauma yesterday.
Here's the report of what the 24-year old told Atlanta's Fox affiliate about the alleged violations, and how Long "seduced" him into a place of submission...
http://www.towleroad.com/2010/09/eddie-long-accuser-jamal-parris-speaks-out-he-was-like-a-dad-to-me.html#comments
this man has hurt young people. mentally physically and emotionally. whatever he has done - he has hurt God's youth. he should step down. and if he doesn't, the membership should demand he step down because his good has been evil spoken of and God says not to let that happen.
Why?
When was the last time a preacher was accused of sexual misconduct and it turned out to be false? Answer: Not f'ing never.
However, he has the right like every American to defend himself in court.
On the other hand, if he makes a financial settlement to these young men, it's time for him to go back to selling cars. (Google it folks).
In a way I agree with him. This man preys on teens who are weak and does so in secret. He is a user and abuser of people.
Do you think every persecuted group should sympathize with Gays or is it just Blacks?Truth is there were and are many gays who despised Blacks.Some had slaves killed them too so excuse me if I find it offensive that you think Blacks don't have a choice in forming our own opinions on this subject ....
Gay man comes out as an evangelical megachurch preacher
http://www.thechicagodope.com/2010/09/26/gay-man-comes-out-as-an-evangelical-megachurch-preacher/
Folks get others to look down on, and to compare their own "higher" morals to.
The Mormons assisted Black preachers in making the sale in California in 2008.
Mormons need to stay out of Califoria politics, as a church.
And Blacks need to check their own ranks a bit to see if their common (but not universal) tendency to look down on Gays is something they need to get past.
Leviticus 20:13 (New International Version)
'If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They must be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads."
--- that is what got him into trouble
That's very different from simply being an anti-gay bigot, and adulterer, or a hypocrite. Again, we don't have proof that he's guilty of anything, though his non-denial suggests unsavory revelations may soon follow.
The sort of sexual predation of which this man is accused is criminal. If there is evidence that these case of abuse are true, he'll be prosecuted -- not persecuted. He'll have no moral authority to lead his congragation into anything. They'll be too busy trying to figure out where the millions of dollars are going to come from to settle a painful mess.
This isn't a teachable moment about homosexuality or tolerance. But it may prove to be yet another illustration of why parents should be careful trusting their children to unaccountable, deeply manipulative religious leaders.
The boys were not legally children in Georgia (at least the ones who have come forward)
BUT
Abuse of power and degredation of his church
Encouraging boys to sell themselves out for materialistic and greedy reasons
Blasphemy, in connecting his manipulations to God
Making a laughingstock of his ambitions and glitzy church
Showing everyone that a minister who glorifies HIMSELF is competing with Jesus
etc
CHEESEY ARROGANT BULLY -- who counted on Blacks being so thrilled to have him that they would overlook his manipulation and self aggrandizements, thus looking down on the weaknesses of his own people