Bishop Eddie Long: ‘Faith Is Being Strengthened’ By 4 Men Accusing Me Of Sexual Molestation
Once again returning to his favorite topic of sexually molesting four members of his LongFellows Youth Academy, Bishop Eddie Long told his congregation today his “faith is being strengthened” by the scandal. That, and he is “not going to be pulled into a street fight.” Dammit, I just bought nunchucks!
The scene at the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church today was once again an exercise in dodging and weaving: Like last week, the Atlanta area pastor didn’t directly address the accusations against him. It was enough to draw cheers from his audience.
Quoting from the Book Of Job, Long said, “Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.” (AP: “As his devoted flock cheered, Long joked that he accidentally led them to the wrong page. ‘That was the Holy Ghost,’ he said, flashing a smile as the sanctuary echoed with laughter.”) “I ain’t going to stop living,” Long said during his hour-plus-long sermon.
Yes, Long’s popularity only appears to be growing. While the media continues covering the molestation scandal, Long — who drives a Bentley and earns millions of dollars a year — is able to continue adopting the “underdog” image. Sound familiar?
It’s the same thing we saw with Ted Haggard — whose own story of growing a small church into a nationwide phenomenon, only to see his reputation crumble amid gay sex allegations, only to resurrect himself with a groundswell of support — eerily resembles Long’s situation. And I predict Long, if he does manage to get ousted from his pulpit, will enjoy a similar fate. No wonder Ted has already recognized their kinship.
EARLIER:
Is Eddie Long A Victim of Black Churches’ Institutionalized Homophobia?
Is This Video The Start Of Discrediting Eddie Long’s Accusers Anthony Flagg + Maurice Robinson?
Somehow I just feel its a lost cause trying to out this guy as a closeted homophobe. He ain’t going without a fight and that congregation seems to love him unconditionally. Yes, there is some embarrassment, but the egg seems to be on the victims faces, which is so unfortunate. The only good that has come out of this is, he is under a lot of scrutiny and his relationship with young male members of his church I am sure are being watched closely. So the only thing we can hope for is that he has a relapse for young male booty, and a video tape recorder is nearby to record the entire thing.
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Curiously, there is a relevant Bible quote – Matthew 7:15-16 — “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.”
At the risk of being disrespectful by calling Long’s victims (and the victims of any closeted, homophobic preacher) “fruits”, the passage fits him to a T.
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B : Probably true in Long’s case. Even if this sex scandal was totally false, it’s still repulsive how much he lives the high life when supposedly espousing Christian values (which, let’s face it, would ultimately mean you should set an example by not overdoing the earthly goods and living reasonably modest. Did you see his mansion?! Oh man! I could respect him somewhat even if he gave half his money away to charities and moved into a house only half that big, but… (Of course, it’s not only Long who is guilty of that behavior. Many other clergypeople of various faiths pull the same thing).
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There is another relevant Bible quote, Deuteronomy 19:15:
“One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”(KJV)
While the Hebrew is translated differently in various translations, the essential statement remains. According to the religion that Eddie Long claims to follow, four witnesses is enough to establish the accusations as factual.
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So the hypocrite implies passive aggressively that he’s being pulled down by a ‘gang’ of petty street urchin.Thus,demoralizing them further in the effort to diminish their credibility. Wonder how them congregates are going to stand by him if he is to be found guilty. Expect extortion & fraud litigation to follow. I can’t wait to see how this pans out.
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@kalifani6: I look forward to exposing this charlatan for what he is… a money grubbing homophobic vicious crook on par with Jerry Fallwell and Joel Osteen. Unfortunately even when they are exposed for lying, the business they are in allows them to repent through manufactured tears and the stupid sheep they control clap thier hands and search their pockets. Hail to freedom of religion. The state itself condones this nonsense.
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In the New Testament, the only people Jesus ever criticized were the priests and pharisees. He forgave everyone else, without exception. The priests and pharisees he condemned, for the sin of hypocrisy.
The modern hypocrites are, of course, the clergy. What do you think Jesus would say to them?
That he used young idealistic men for his own sexual gratification, is clearly wrong. Eddie Long should be fired by the board of that church, and his reputation should be ruined.