To wild cheers, Pastor Eddie Long took the stage this morning at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, where he promised to fight — David v. Goliath style (where he is David) — the accusations of sexual misconduct. “I have never in my life portrayed myself as a perfect man. But I am not the man that’s being portrayed on television,” he told his congregation. “That’s not me. That is not me.” Of course Long didn’t categorically admit to, or deny, the allegations brought against him by four men.
The sermon was broadcast on national television, which meant Long really had to deliver. And he so did! “This thing I’m going to fight,” he says. “I want you to know one other thing. I feel like David against Goliath. But I got five rocks, and I haven’t thrown one yet.”
Well he better start, because word has it one and possibly two more lawsuits are being readied. That, and Long’s radio silence until today means his accusers’ supporters have been owning the message about this story. Like Antonio Makins, a childhood best friend of of Long’s third accuser Jamal Paris, who says he personally saw Long’s beavhoir with Paris and his mother, including giving him “jewelry, gifts, cars and money on Jamal and Jamal’s mother.” Paris posted on his Facebook page that “he lost his joy, peace, and innocence,” and that Long is “not human, you are a monster.”
EARLIER:
Is Eddie Long’s Youth Academy Just A Place Where ‘Dad’ Groomed His Boys?
Chris H
Funny that David was the one who then ended up in a gay relationship with Jonathan!
Oh, unintentionally ironic humor. How I love you.
Jack E. Jett
No, instead he choose to wear a nellie as he wants to be caftan with sissified naru color with a matching beige cock ring.
declanto
This pseudo-religious sex predator just triggers my gag reflex.
Mike K
declanto before you go calling people predator remember: You probably have porn in your house right now with guys the same age as the one’s the pastor was fucking. Let’s not ALL be hypocrites OK?
dvlaries
Four accusers and counting…? Yeah, good luck with that Eddie.
Denial is always the first stage. Ask Haggard. Remember that CNN tape of Haggard pulling away in his car with the wife? He ‘didn’t know nothin’ about no meth, didn’t know nothin’ about no Mike Jones hustler, the whole thing was ludicrous, yadda-yadda-yadda…’
Taylor Siluwé
@Mike K:
How else can you describe someone who uses his power, position and church funds to coerce (at least) 4 young men into a sexual relationship?
He’s is most certainly a predator.
FACT: He’s been praying on the gullibility of the faithful to support his lavish lifestyle.
FACT: He’s used anti-gay rhetoric to illicit 1mil in “faith based” Bush era funds (no doubt to support his lavish lifestyle).
FACT: He’s a douchbag [Or maybe thats just my opinion].
FACT: His rhetoric is killing our children.
Hilarious
@Mike K: Thank you.
@Taylor Siluwé: Stop the madness. Pastors have no power or position in “the community” with anyone. They form friendships with people in their community, that’s about it.
If someone was to say the pastor was even remotely inappropriate with him or her that pastor’s head would be a on a pike.
This nonsense that damn near bashes black churches is so misinformed and uneducated it’s ridiculous.
While pastors may not be on the up and up about church funds, the rest of the congregation is clear headed and capable of protecting their FAMILY. Black churches are one big family, black churches are usually full of 3 or 4 big families as well which brings the “outsiders” even closer since everyone already knows each other they feel more comfortable to join in.
All one of these so called “boys” damn near men had to do was tell Grandma and it would’ve been over before Eddie Long could’ve said a word.
He very well could have done every single thing said about him, that doesn’t excuse the fact that not a single one of these teens opened their mouths until much later and for profit. What he did was wrong, what they did was wrong too, and what he did is what plenty of MEN gay or straight are doing across America everyday.
Or do people like Brent Corrigan not count because an openly gay man was involved?
alan brickman
why isn’t the IRS auditing him????
Taylor Siluwé
@Hilarious:
Yes, you are Hilarious. Protect the predator. Protect the church. Vilify the victim. Pope Rat would be proud.
SomethingElse
Long graduated from NCCU along with Crystal Mangum (arrested for attempted murder against her boyfriend since her fake Duke lacrosse allegations). That school sure puts out some doozies.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
@Taylor Siluwé: 1000% Co-Sign.
Because certain posters continue to post the same lame defense of this vile predator despite repeated barrages of thumbs down, I am simply going to repeat my previous post from another thread…………..
It matters not the color An gobsmacked there are those who can not see how so very wrong Long’s actions are. He began grooming these kids when they were 13/14 years old. He created this “academy” as a vehicle for “troubled teens” to find “the right path” He basically told the usually single Mothers to put their trust in him, that he would mentor and watch over their kids. These kids were impressionable and regardless of the fact that this scumbag was smart enough it seems to hold off on the full on molest until they were above the age of consent, what makes this whole drama so very wrong is his original intent. And that was to create a pool of boys to have sex with. Unfortunately studies have shown that kiddie diddlers tend to be above average intelligence very proficient in creating ways to ensure a steady supply of victims. Long found a way to increase his supply ten fold. And while so far the victims who have come forward have been of age, the news that younger victims were preyed upon him would not exactaly be very shocking. I recall a so very sick statement made by a convicted kiddie diddler, when asked why he kept on preying on young kids he replied “its like the potato chip thing, you can’t eat just one”.
All the while spewing his vile rhetoric against all things Gay. Including after a Gay rights measure was approved leading a demonstration 25,000 people strong. How many Gay teens not “lucky” enough to be invited to his academy were thrown out of their homes by their lemming like parents who hung onto Longs every anti-Gay words? How many were forced to sell their cocks for cash? How many committed suicide? How many Gays were bashed by those influenced by his vile rhetoric?
This guy deserves zero sympathy his decades long charade of spewing vile anti Gay rhetoric all the while preying on teens did serious damage to lots of people even beyond those victims of his sexual abuse…….
And I also stand by my previous prediction. Within a short period of time Long will enter a rehab program, emerge “stronger than ever” and “fully aware of the heartache his misguided actions caused”. He will offer a lame apology to the victims and continue his preaching and preying…………
scott ny'er
He’s David? Really? Is he myopic? He’s Goliath. He’s bigger in all senses. Rich, physical size, power. Wow. Classic example of someone who is narcissistic and delusional.
randy
Hilarious: And how many of those mothers and grandmothers were perfectly happy to have their 17 year old son go on an international trip with their minister? And were perfectly happy to receive the jewelry, and the access to celebrities? and yet turned a blind eye to what was going on under their very noses?
You think these four young men are going to profit from this lawsuit? Hardly — their names are already being dragged in the mud by Long and his followers. Good luck having any “community” at all for them in Atlanta for the rest of their lives. They will always be outcasts in the black community, first for bringing down a popular religious figure, and second for allowing him to have sex with them, which implies that they are gay.
These men are awfully brave to risk all that just to tell the truth. Would you have a fraction of their courage?
Taylor Siluwé
@scott ny’er:
Yes, he is narcissistic but I doubt he’s delusional. He knows exactly what he’s doing and feels no shame or hypocrisy.
And his plea of being “David” is typical of the persecutor playing the victim. Which is why the sheeple call the gays “intolerate”.
It’s an odious evangelical Jujutsu. And its infuriating beyond belief.
obiwan
The issue is not with the black church. This issue is about a leader who are elevated himself to a position above what is acceptable and who has used that position and spiritual authority to coerce people into sexual relations. (It doesn’t matter what sex) And the matter is also about hypocrisy. It would be a whole different matter if Mr. Long were to step down and to admit that he is actively gay or bisexual and repented of the vitriolic propaganda he has spewed against gay people. Why is it that the greatest haters are always the greatest hypocrites?
Black Pegasus
Did he get that outfit from the Gay Star Wars Thrift Store?
And why is he wearing that Jerri Curl Wig?
Just a fan
Abstinence makes the Church grow fondlers.
jason
Maybe the Pastor was simply mentoring these men. Mentoring was once very common, and involved older men coaching and caring for those who had just become men. This often involved sexual instruction with live demonstrations wherein the mentor would demonstrate the “joys” of cunninlingus on a woman, for instance. The young men would learn and then join in.
It was very common in ancient Greece too, apparently. Mentoring was a form of homo-social interaction between men who wanted to maintain their heterosexuality and learn from each other.
Look, if the Pastor is guilty of breaking the law, he needs to be punished severely by the law. However, at this point in time, it seems he’s being tried in the public domain with accusations.
scott ny'er
@jason: Here’s the thing. I’m for fairness and all. But in every instance involving a priest/clergy/some religious powerful person and sexual abuse of children (young adults) what is the usual outcome? I’d say GUILTY! It doesn’t mean they are all guilty. But I bet 99% are.
royfromvegas
if he fights the allegations like he fought a decent haircut and wore that shitty wig he may win yet
B
No. 8 · alan brickman wrote, “why isn’t the IRS auditing him????”
… the IRS has a backlog. Give them some time. It might make more sense to audit his church rather than him, depending on how the money was laundered (if it in fact was).
B
Re No. 4 · Mike K wrote, “declanto before you go calling people predator remember: You probably have porn in your house right now with guys the same age as the one’s the pastor was fucking.”
If declanto has porn in his house the “actors” would be at least 18, whereas Long seems to have gone after 17 year olds that he had known for some time. It’s only one year, but lets at least get the facts right.
Michael
The David and Goliath metaphor is lost on me, unless Bishop Eddie considers it’s wrong for David to prevail. The “I’m gonna fight this thang and the devil” will work for him. He’ll be wearing those Sgt. Pepper Nehru jackets for as long as he pleases.
uu
It’s funny how you can apply the Hitch to almost every old crook:
“The empty life of this ugly little charlatan proves only one thing: that you can get away with the most extraordinary offenses to morality and to truth in this country if you will just get yourself called ‘reverend’.”
It’s less funny that you can. (Emphasis on the “that”. Do we use BBCode? [i]Test[/i].)
ewe
Will the trial be televised. I look forward to each and every draw dropping juicy detail Eddie Long.
ewe
I guess i was reacting to his challenging the world to a duel. I meant jaw dropping not draw dropping. Pass me more of that popcorn. I am so excited to watch this vicious closeted self hating homosexual go down down down. And that’s just the way it has to be to bring it to light. I have no doubt he will plea at a later day.