On September 26th, 2010, Bishop Eddie Long stood in front of a congregation of thousands of supporters at his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. ”I’ve been accused. I’m under attack. I want you to know, as I said earlier, I am not a perfect man, but this thing, I’m going to fight.” On May 30th 2011, just three short days ago — that fight ended with an out of court settlement which brings me to my reason for writing.
When Michael Jackson was accused of touching a little boy, we ridiculed him all the way to his grave and there after. We labeled him a pedophile and constantly questioned his motives around children. He was not a leader of a nation or congregation — just a very talented entertainer. Yet today, Eddie Long stood accused by not one or two, but four young men of coercing them into sexual relationships among other things, and his church is still for the most part full of people ready to praise.
Where else in society, based on the traditional religious beliefs that denounce homosexuality, would we accept someone who not only stood accused of such acts, but has supposedly paid somewhere between 4 and 15 million dollars of money earned from the church and church charities to keep their accusers silent? Would you hire a baby sitter with this track record? Allow your child to be instructed by a teacher under these pretenses?
Then why are people going to continue to attend the New Birth church under Long’s spiritual and moral guidance? And trust me, we all know they are going to keep going. I’ve heard people say they are following God and not the man. This couldn’t be more untrue given the fact that black people are known to fill the churches of pastors who deliver the message in the most charismatic and exciting way they can find.
Why is no one rushing to fill the congregation of the many gay and lesbian pastors if it’s all about the message and not the messenger? If Long preached with the same energy, style, and charisma minus all the anti gay rhetoric and was himself a self proclaimed gay man, would New Birth have a 25,000+ member congregation? Maybe, but the “orientation” of the crowd’s make up would be a lot different.
In the black community we’re use to the open closet in church extending to the choirs or choir directors but when it reaches the pulpit of one of the most revered black evangelists, who was even supposedly confronted in 2006 by another pastor about rumors of his homosexual behavior, we all of a sudden lose touch with reality. The reality that thousands of people may have put their trust in and given their hard earned money to someone who may(and thats a small may) be a fraud, a liar, a hypocrite, and a child molester(bearing in mind had they come forward earlier or gone to trial he may have been arrested).
The reality that being the prideful black people that we are, instead of admitting that we may have been duped by the homosexual preacher preaching against homophobia, we will instead continue to hold both our heads and our Bibles high, listen to a good sermon, place more hush money for Eddie in the plate, and pretend like the accusations never happened, thus crowning Bishop Eddie Long the R.Kelly of the pulpit. And if you’re fine with Long leading your spiritual life and presiding over groups consisting of all young men that’s fine, but you can no longer condemn the pedophile down the street who didn’t have 15 million dollars to silence his accuser.
Eddie Long, the prosperity preacher (who seems to be the only one prospering) who has for many years lead “homosexual cure” programs and for what he’s called “sexual reorientation” said in his own words, “I will fight this” and “the truth will emerge” and we all sat back patiently for eight months waiting for it. Then he settled out of court preventing us from ever having that happen.
I’m not the smartest man in the world, I never proclaimed to be, but innocent people don’t pay millions of dollars to keep “four liars” from talking publicly. With that being said and his settlement being done, I believe we can all say, the “Truth” has emerged. “I feel like David against Goliath. I got five rocks but I haven’t thrown one yet”, said Long about his accusations. But who would have known he would not only throw none of those five rocks, but instead exchange them with for cash? It’s OK though. Like he said, he’s not a perfect man. The same words muttered by R. Kelly when he was asked if that was actually him in the infamous “pee” video. But most guilty men aren’t perfect.
The Boondocks cartoon hit it right on the head in the R.Kelly episode with how we are so readily able to forgive the transgressions of black celebrities with money, fame, and power like Kelly and Long, who have contributed enough to society through their craft but how can you justify the Bishop still being allowed to preach and lead after all of this? Based on what just happened to Congressman Anthony Weiner, losing his job for only sending photos to young women, if were following the rules of society, you really can’t justify it at all.
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Well Miss Tammy of June 18, 2011 at 4:16 PM, it seems like it’s NOT done as evidenced by Mrs. Long filing for divorce in the past few days.
Looks like she finally got her head out of the sand long enough to make some smart decisions. Or maybe she was waiting for the lawsuits to be settled so she could see how much would be left over for her to get her half.
Actually Disgusted, after all that you stated about Eddie Long, it makes it eve worse for him.
MJ didn’t do those kids. Sad! He may have been stupid to hang with them for reasons all his own, but I never got the vibe that he was a pedophile. However, we bash him to his death, amongst other bs he had to endure; some of his own creation, the most not.
Word!!!!
Have any of us comitted any sins?- yes we have, and if we repent, God forgives us, and we want others to forgive us also- to say that he is a pig, and he should be castrated- what is that about?- if you have malice in your heart against someone, and this incident is like opening a wound, you need to get therapy, forgive, and let yourself heal- he is God’s servant, whether you are angry with him or not, you don’t say that about God’s man, whether you feel he is at this moment or not- are we God?- no -he will take care of the wrongs- let us just keep on doing right, and not look at others who are doing,or have done wrong(imperfect mininsters) or not- that is not our place- all of us are going to be judged for what we do- so worry about your own self living for God, and let him take care of the rest.
It is sick and disgusting that he is even allowed to continue to preach to anyone. He should be on his knees begging for forgiveness to the only one who can judge and punish him to the tune expected for this transgression. I get nauseous to think about him still in the pulpit talking his trash and misleading his congregation as they listen like they believe him. Don’tthey have anywhere else to go..Why would they continue to attend his church. I blame the stupidity of our people for continuing to support this man after all of this. We are a slow sick, demented people.
Hey, the way I see this it is nothing compared to Weisner. I know Weisner’s situation is political, which is sad that it happened at a time when politician will and have seen his behavior as a treat to political sovererignty, Aside that, he would have been given a pass. For the love of God, though I cannot see how this man, and like you have so eloquently put it, how has this man still been allowed to be the leader of people who call themselves Christians. I am not a biblical scholar, but it certainly does not take one to know that something here is morally wrong. Set aside your love for the man. Ok they might still be twirling the idea in their minds that so the cannot believe that the man who they have as their spiritual leader is gay. The word of God, at least a portion of is said, “…for this cause I will turn to their reprobate minds.” Long’s reprobation is trickery and his congregations’mind is naivete. It’s about time they fest up. Fifteen Million is a lot of money and taking that amount to cover someone wrong doings is compounding, which is not only wrong in man’s sight, it is also wrong in God’s. We often say that wrongdoers will face their judgment in the lake of hell. I am even more convinced that these are some of the so-called leader that are place among us to make the way even more challenging, to make the the road to hell even more ruggedy. I am convinced he knows he did something wrong, and I also know he will make a public mockery of himself– you just wait. The law of riciprocity says, what goes around, shall surely come around. The problem I see with this,though, is when it happen, it might be too late, and he would have already damged the lives of many who have trusted in him. But, that is part of life we all have to face… taking the bitter with the sweet, to borrow the cliche to make my point. Long knows he is gay. Maybe the faithful few in his congregation knows he is too, but they really find it hard in their hearts to believe. I might be fooling the congregation but he cannot fool his conscience, which is what will bring him down.
Mankind, presently, is nearing the End of this “Aeon” or AGE.
Jesus Christ and other biblical personalities spoke of the Time we are in, many centuries ago. Of all the things spoken by the Ancients, ONE thing stands out more in my mind than anything else:
“………..that Man would become LOVERS of THEMSELVES…………….”
Our Culture & Society, as well as the Western World, is now based on Image, manipulated perception of The Truth itself, Greed, egotistical Desire for Power & Control, Moral decay, lack of Compassion and Empathy for the less fortunate, and the over usage of Human Sexuality to gain earthly Wealth.
We can readily see that ALL the races have people we can easily identify as IMMORAL, EVIL & CORRUPT.
We have PLENTY here in Black America itself. Bishop Long is only the latest example.
Is Bishop Eddie Long any MORE Evil & Corrupt than say………… the 43rd U.S. President, and his partners in Crime , for what THEY did BEFORE, DURING and AFTER the 9-11 Massacre ?
(September 11, 2011 will be the 10th Anniversary of THAT Event in American history, by the way)
What’s the “difference” between George W. Bush, “Uncle Dick,” Rob Bliegoavich (former Illinois governor), investors on Wall Street who BLEW millions of Americans’ money on “cheesy” schemes to make money, the Big Bankers who blocked the Bail-out money from reaching the smaller ones, to help create jobs and business, mortgage and what housing lenders, credit card companies do, to CHEAP WE The People out of our hard-earned money and the GOP and ultra-conservative block of America, who want to REDUCE this great nation to 21st Century “Medieval Manor.” ?
to the DRUG Dealers WE KNOW who are in OUR communities selling a quick HIGH, and later a “Gone TOO SOON” death for our Youth (or a nice, posh, PRISON cell) ?
Or those “shady” Brothers of our race who defile our beautiful young Black girls and women, into SELLING their bodies on the Streets and in Hollywood’s meat-grinder of the “Enter-DE-tainment of OUR People ?
(YOU brothers need to be CASTRATED, SHOT then HUNG in the Market place………….)
Or the Ignorance-peddling, of psycho-babbablic no-sense, of a “Lil-Wayne” or “JayZ” or “SoulJa Boy” that is constantly DESTROYING the minds of our Youth, making them “fodder” for the N.W.O. ?
Or “Pulpit PIMPS” who dazzle, conjole, and BRAINWASH The Masses to thinking that U can BUY your way in “The Pearly Gates,” as well as “Wheel & Deal” right here on Earth, under The Almighty’s “covering” ?
There’s basically very little difference between the 2 sets of people I’ve given. There is ONE very BIG difference though…………………
Eddie L. Long WILL automatically go to the “head of the line” in The Court of The Divine ONE.”
He’s SUPPOSED to be…………………..” A Man of GOD and The Spirit.”
Whew! U just said a mouthful. Very good statement.
I completely agree with Travon’s opinion on this matter. The African-American community as a whole has a whole lot of moral delusions that need to be rooted out. We are the same people who tell our children, when they are molested, “Stop being so fast!” Is it any wonder we’ve put Long and Kelly back on their respective thrones? And for the people who have an issue with Travon’s opinion, people with your (typical) mentality are the biggest part of this problem.
Really good job, Travon. You make excellent points. Yeah, he’s human but to be the leader of a church, you’re held to a higher standard. Much like the Catholic priests who molested young children-people don’t want us to look the other way with that, right? Did you see that clip of the woman giving Bishop Long that big wad of cash? Somewhere along the line, some of the people doing ‘God’s work , lost sight of their mission’ . I have my faith but
I can’t put that much faith in people like Eddie Long and Creflo Dollar.
Travon has hit the nail on the head, in my opinion the main reason why we do not reach our economical, ethical and spiritual potential, (in addition to holding on to bitterness) as a race is because we are a race of people that do not hold up our own transgressors up to the consequences of their crimes against us – their own. Black children are the most vulnerable children in the world as a result of this. A simple example to demonstrate this is the broken family, a significant amount of black men continually have children and do not face up to their responsibilities the children suffer as a result and NOONE does a damn thing about it. Instead we say don’t say anything about the black man, they got it hard. We blame the women, society, etc. It just continues. We look at the men as the victims. Why don’t we fond these fathers and force them to do what’s right. Bishop Long is a professional hypocrit who is a pedophile, HE WILL DO IT AGAIN. He has an illness some sort of perversion (hell if I know), he needs to be forced to get help. R Kelly is a pedophile HE WILL DO IT AGAIN he should be forced to get help. I am not talking about church or music, I am talking about the children, is it not our job as adults to protect and ensure the children are safe? what the heck! These people are pedophiles money should not come into it. This is why our children are so screwed up noone is willing to stand up and say NO instead we still buy R Kelly’s music which enables him to continue to not be sorry and continue giving in to his urge for young children. We give our money to Bishop Long who will continue to see himself as the victim and give into his urges for young boys. Churchgoers you need tro be careful it could be your son next! This God that black people go on about is going to punish all of us because we do not stand up for our children we have made them the most vulnerable children in the world, to rape, drugs, STIs, pedophilia, single parent households and then we go to church and pray on Sundays. It stinks
@ Disgusted, please make sure to read before you post angry messages. You look like a fool with your post. Reading is fundamental. The article is not garbage, but instead, an unfortunately truthful comparison of two men in the black community. And for the record, the author did not ruin Eddie Long’s life…. Eddie Long ruined his own life. Period.
The FBI released files that proves MJ’s innocence. I refuse to hold R.Kelly liable unless the parents who allowed their daughters to be courted by him are held liable as well and maybe even charged with child endangerment. I think he’s moved on to at least 20yos by now.
But, in this case, given his position, there is no way in Hades,a man in his position should be settling in a case such as this! I accept that he is human and none of us are without sin, but to takeadvantage of young men under your guidance is horrendous! People who continue to follow under his leadership may as well drink the koolaid! And his wife leaving serves as further proof of his guilt! Disgusting! 15 million?! Has anyone sen ATL’s homeless population? I’m sure there’s a better purpose for tithe money than paying folk off to cover up homosexual escapades!
If anyone who truly reads their bible, truly enter a place a prayer and seeks the Lord in all things can still defend this man, sit on his pews and continue to fund his lifestyle and legal fees… I’m just going to pray for you. This post almost explicitly represents the views of many people I’ve spoken with on the topic, I haven’t heard one person categorically defend him. However, I have seen the city leaders, political figures and entertainment types quietly support from a distance – not wanting to admit to being duped. He slept with these young men, he paid them to keep the facts out of the media and off of public record. Case closed. Literally. Anyone that can’t admit this, quite honestly lives in a place of fascination and fantasy and is IN FACT worshiping the man and his message. God is no where in that equation.
Having sex with little boys and peeing on little girls is not a mistake. These are calculated acts of sexual misconduct. He should be held to same account as anyone else. I am personally glad that he was exposed it shows and proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that he and everybody following him have very low morals and that they are truly worshiping the atmosphere of church instead of the principles set forth by the church. This allows people to separate themselves from nonsense. You have been showed the truth so if you stay you must suffer the consequences. Again having sex with little boys and peeing on little girls is not a mistake, it is a calculated act of sexual misconduct. R Kelly and Eddie Long can be compared somewhat because R Kelly has influenced a lot of people to the faith by making inspirational songs. They both are pedophiles, and they both are flamboyant. They both paid their accusers to be quiet. I think the comparison was on point as far as the recognition of both people.
I’m not reading this garbage, I’m just commenting. Any thing comparing a Pastor, who took a vow to live in the path of God and be a noble leader and treat humans with dignity and value and encourage them to feel pride and worth, and like JESUS, inform them that money and gold and sex is not the KEY TO HAPPINESS or SUCCESS and is definitely not the way to salvation, to R. Kelly who did not take that public stand is an a**hole and another example of how Church is a JOKE and how lessons of morals and ethics and decency are a JOKE when coming from Pastors.
So now a pastor should be judged on the same moral grounds as a rock star. REALLY??
R. Kelly and the PASTOR are EXTREMELY DIFFERENT. Choosing to highlight R. Kelly is so shameful and clearly a personal hatred towards the man. There’s 12 other people of various races who could be named as being so called “not so different” some way more current than R. Kelly and some considered to be responsible for teaching morals, TEACHERS sleeping with students. A pastor and a teacher is DIFFERENT. These are people you wake up trusting with your child’s life. Who trust a rock star??
This is just a stupid unnecessary comparison, where per usual some hateful person has to play like a crab in a barrel and destroy the life of someone else, someone who’s already suffered the humiliation, but I guess that wasn’t enough for you, so re-open that wound all in the same of Eddie Longs defense. Compare the incomparable. Why not shed light on Roman Polanski, he’s the one getting away with it, he’s the one who had his peers signing petitions to set him free. Last time I checked R. Kelly was still trying to recover without petitions from his peers. SMH
While you comment is very much appreciated, how are you qualified to have an opinion on something you havent even taken the time to read? You clearly dont understand what’s being said if you think the comparison being made has anything to do with how Long or Kelly should be judged. The piece is actually about how two black men with power and fame and money committed and got away with sexual crimes against minors and then went back to work in the field of expertise while if that was a teacher, baby sitter, ect we would want the teacher fired based on the accusation alone and no one would ever hire that baby sitter. You wouldnt support those people. Yet many people will continue to give Long and Kelly their money and allow a clearly misguided man in Long to continue to be their moral compass.
If you had read the piece you would know that. You would also know that I dont hate R.Kelly or Eddie Long. I never judge either of them in the piece, but again you would have to read it to know that. Where did you ever see a defense of Eddie long anywhere here? Again, I forget you didn’t read it so I’m assuming you think I defended Long. The two are very comparable because within the black community they are experiencing the same phenomenon — blind allegiance. No one ever said Roman Polanski was innocent and Eddie Long wasnt convicted in court and then fled the country. Eddie Long isnt a director who had sex with a young girl. Eddie Long is an ordained minister who stood acccused of molesting four young boys and then paid them off. Now those two are incomparable.
A pastor does take a vow to do all the things you mentioned, however Eddie Long didnt live up to that vow. Maybe if you read the piece you would have a better understanding. Peace and be well.
The people in Bishop Longs church have forgiven him, whether he did it or not, and they have moved on- we should too- it does no good to speculate at this point- it is done- move on.
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You are right about Bishop Long and R Kelly being not so different. They are MEN. They are human beings, just like the rest of us: They eat, they sleep, they drink, they love, they lust, they make mistakes, use poor judgment at times, have hurt people,have been hurt by people, lie, have been lied on, etc. Who of us has not?
It’s nonsense to believe power, money and influence excludes celebrities, pastors, politicians, actors etc from making mistakes. It doesn’t.. And if they are anything like me, they are their harshest critic, and wish they had not done what they did or are accused of doing. However, in life, most of the time there are no “do overs.”
If the people who are actually in their lives can forgive them, who are we to continue to throw stones at these men? I am no judge. It’s difficult enough keeping myself in check on a day to day basis. In all actuality, we are all just voyeurs, and only know what we think we know from what is fed to us by the different media outlets, talking heads and publicists.
Christine, I agree with what you are saying. Some have failed to realize what this piece is actually about. It is in no way judging the Bishop of R.Kelly for what they’ve done because society, history, and god will do enough of that for them. The issue here is not the things they have done, but how we as a community respond to what they’ve done. Why do we allow others to be persecuted for the same crimes and let “celebrities” get a pass?
Some people dont see the correlation but its quite clear. Had I done what R.Kelly did I would be in prison right now. Had a less powerful unknown pastor done what Eddie Long did, he would be on his way to prison right now. And that’s no different from other celebrities except for the fact that these are sex crimes against minors that we are allowing them to get away with. And for someone like Long who is in a trusted position as a moral compass to thousands, he’s no different than a catholic priest who has been caught in the same predicament.
The how could any rational minded person allow this man to lead again and instruct young men when we would never accept that in a school or from a baby sitter ect? That’s the debate I’m attempting to start. Two men with money, power, and fame get away with sex crimes against minors that could put them away for years and the many will support them and pretend it never happened. That to me is an interesting phenomenon.
Here is my issue. If wrong has been done, and the transgessor is repentant, he will admit what he has done. None of the celebrities mentioned in the article were forthcoming about their actions. So how can they be forgiven? It is likely that the behavior will be repeated.
Only if you had taped it.
Wtf are you talking? I’m no pedophile hence they aren’t like me. Keep that bullshit to yourself, por favor.
If I call you a pedophile for fucking kids, I’m telling it how it is. That isn’t being judgmental, it’s being honest. Learn to deal with it.
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This should be considered a crime against humanity really. The pig should be castrated. He is not perfect, yes. But for a pastor, to lead innocents to the slaughter like this……., I’d say let someone castrate the idiot.