GA - Bishop Long accused of coercing young males into sex

[believe09]

Like Haggard, he is in an ideal position to minimize all of this. I am still fascinated by his lack of denial-that whole I am not the man being portrayed in the media is pretty telling, JMO.

Now if even part of the accusers stories are true, he used his position as a charismatic leader to suck them in, much like a predator. I dont know what kind of law he broke-I suppose that will be revealed in time if it makes it that far. I realize he is not facing criminal charges. I wonder if this will trigger some kind of IRS investigation of his books?

 

[Kat]

I haven't followed this case.

This morning I did see one of the young men give a short statement on one of the news channels.

It wasn't a statement or an interview, he was just describing how he was feeling and it had a very impromtu feeling to it.

He used language that I've heard other's that were victimized and molested use. Descriptive language about what lingers in his mind and replays on a continual loop.

I believe him. I know how he feels and it will take years to move beyond that devastation so my heart is with him at this time.

Prayers that these victims get resolution, but most importantly they get peace of mind and peace of heart one day. JMHO.

 

[Belinda]

I am astounded each time a group of individuals is fished in by a charasmatic leader to the point where they leave common sense at the doorstep.

I refer to this "persons'" parishioners, not his victims.

As a survivor, I can tell you that inteligence has nothing to do with it. These young men were selected because of their shaky homelives, low self esteem and lack of a strong male role model in their lives. They were handpicked and then groomed over a long period of time.

Just to be clear, I was also only speaking of his parishioners. His victims have been groomed and taken advantage of. Whole nother ball game.

 

[Belinda]

Respectfully snipped ~

The first picture of Long hugging the guy, in this link, makes me think he is guilty. This was right after the sermon where he addressed the allegations against him. Look at his face, what do you think he is thinking?

Salem

I think he looks like a very frightened man who knows the bottom is getting ready to drop out of his little 'empire.'

 

[Trino]

I think this is what is going to happen also. I think Long maybe afraid there are other skeletons in his closet that might get out if he doesn't stop this now. Whatever he does, he will try to make himself look like the victim. Those poor members of his congregation :furious::furious:
Salem

I don't adhere to poor members of his congregation. A person is taken advantage of because they allow it. I'm amazed that Long's congregation cannot see through him, especially with all the glitter. Maybe they've been brainwashed.

I haven't seen this mentioned, but I found it interesting.
[ame]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Long[/ame]

"After getting his undergraduate degree, Long worked in sales for Ford Motor Corporation but was fired due to inaccurate expense accounts."

 

[believe09]

I don't adhere to poor members of his congregation. A person is taken advantage of because they allow it. I'm amazed that Long's congregation cannot see through him, especially with all the glitter. Maybe they've been brainwashed.

I haven't seen this mentioned, but I found it interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Long

"After getting his undergraduate degree, Long worked in sales for Ford Motor Corporation but was fired due to inaccurate expense accounts."

:doh: time for some :back:

 

[Missizzy]

Believe, you mentioned something above that struck a chord....Long's lack of denial. Looking at that from a criminal profile standpoint, isn't that a common reaction for pedophiles? They minimize and obfuscate but they rarely immediately deny. Is that correct? Can someone speak to this? I fully realize that Long is not being accused of criminal behavior due to the age of the young men but I'd be interested in hearing what others say about this.

I'm still struck by a couple of the comments my son made. When you look at the photos of Long with the three young men standing behind him, he looks bored or impatient--quite uncomfortable. In the photo with the young man leaning towards him, he has the same look. It strikes me as the demeanor of a man not happy with himself. He's not enjoying himself. Maybe there's some self-loathing. I compared those photos with other posed photos of him with dignitaries or celebrities and it's a totally different look.

Self loathing is a terrible and dangerous mindset. It makes me worry about his personal safety. I'm hopeful that he can put his children and his wife first and consider what would be best for them at this juncture. If anyone needs a little pastoral intervention right now, it's Bishop Long IMO.

He needs to do the right thing and that's never easy or pleasant.

 

[angelmom]

http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/bishop-eddie-long-ex-646136.html?cxtype=rss_news_81960

Bishop Eddie Long's ex-wife claimed in divorce papers that he was physically abusive, alleging he beat her when she was seven-and-a-half months pregnant with the couple's only child.

<snip>

The settlement in March 1985 awarded custody of the couple's then 2-year-old son to the mother, with the father, then an assistant pastor at Morningstar Baptist Church, receiving visitation rights every other weekend.

Long, who went on to build New Birth into one of the nation's most influential churches, was 27 when he married Houston. Their son, Edward Long, is New Birth's youth director for junior and senior high ministries.

much more at link, including info about the 4th accuser speaking out.

 

[lonetraveler]

Im my opinion, Sheriff Brown might need to recuse himself from this investigation.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_pasto...5bl9oZWFkbGluZV9saXN0BHNsawNnYW1lZ2FjaHVyY2g-


Ga. megachurch pastor accused in sex scandal



"As a Christian author, gospel singer and leader of one of the nation's best-known black megachurches, Bishop Eddie Long finds a wide audience for messages such as marriage is "between one man and one woman." Those words hung heavy Wednesday over accusations that the TV preacher, a married father of four, used jewelry, cars and cash to lure three young men into sexual relationships.

Lawsuits filed Tuesday and Wednesday say the young men were 17 or 18 years old at the time, enrolled in New Birth Missionary Baptist Church's ministry for teen boys...."

and

"...Bernstein [the plaintiffs' attorney]said she didn't trust local authorities to investigate the claims.

"This is a really large church that's incredibly politically powerful," Bernstein said. "There are pictures of this guy with every politician around. With something this important, how can I trust that word didn't get back to the bishop?

"DeKalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown has been a member of New Birth for more than 15 years and sits on the advisory board for Long's Longfellows Youth Academy. He said he would stand by the bishop and bristled at Bernstein's suggestion that local authorities couldn't be trusted...."

and

"..."The bishop has helped so many people," he said. "It's not uncommon for him to mentor young men and groom them to be productive members of society. The bishop's heart has always been in the right place. But the New Birth family, we're weeping. This is not a good day for New Birth...."

more at link

OK, so Sheriff Brown has said that he would stand by the bishop and then bristled at the suggestion that local authorities couldn't be trusted. He has already proved that he was going to stand by the bishop, that in itself shows that he can not be trusted. IMO, the Sheriff as well as all those polical ties would definitely suffer financially if they were to go up against this hypocrite, shyster. It disgusts me when the "Man of God" instructs the people in church to give to the Lord, but make the check out to them. Total hypocrite.

 

[lonetraveler]

So.... does Long really think he can convince everyone that he is a second Jesus? God is piling this on him, all lies, so that he can suffer and rise again? The young men are his Judas? I have to wonder what he told these young men during their time at the camp and with him. Spiritual warfare and something in him bigger than the situation? Please!

He better watch out or God is gonna smote him for trivalizing God's power.

This tends to make a person really angry, kwim? I wonder why God doesn't just out and out smote people when they are like this man - full of love of money, power and apparently, sex? And they use and exploit people's belief in God to gather all this money and power. YUCK.

Salem

He already thinks that he is the "second Jesus". :sick:

 

[lonetraveler]

One of our local radio stations posted this video on their website this morning.
I just can't get into the mindset of someone that would write this kind of sermon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg2cg25jQyI&feature=player_embedded

"The job of the preacher is to bring fresh sperm?" He obviously is trying to fulfill his duties. LOL.

 

[believe09]

Ugh...now that was just plain nasty regardless of the point he was trying to make or what ever was in that vial. Gross.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

He's disgusting.

 

[Missizzy]

This is Part 2 of the interview with one of the young men. I haven't seen this. Note that there's some language in the comments.


http://necole*****ie.com/2010/09/30...ie-longs-accuser-interview-sex-in-the-church/

Bishop Eddie Long&#8217;s Accuser Claims They Had &#8220;Sex In The Church&#8221;, Plus 4th Accuser Speaks Out



"....."J" says that what the bishop wanted was sex. He said it began after he became of age, and he said it was constant.

&#8220;His house. The hotels. His condos. In the church,&#8221; Parris said. &#8220;In the church, before and after service.......&#8221;

more at link

 

[believe09]

He kept 4 young men in rotation-and I am not being demeaning to the young men. His wife must be horrified.

 

[Belinda]

He kept 4 young men in rotation-and I am not being demeaning to the young men. His wife must be horrified.

Provided she wasn't fully aware of it. I think a lot of times these wives know what they are up to and choose to ignore it.

 

[Missizzy]

I found it interesting that Long's wife wore a simple white sweater buttoned tightly over her bust while she stood by her husband. That signified to me that she's "holding herself together". I looked at past photos of her and that outfit was far more conservative and simple. Whether she knew consciously or not, she's got to be reeling. Does anyone know how old her children are? Long's eldest (by his first wife) works with the church. Surely he knew. And think of the "damage control" now necessary for well known church members. I'll bet George Bush wishes he could take back that hug.

The comments' by "J" about the funds coming out of church coffers are truly shocking. So the church board of elders were willing to pay these costs to keep a dynamic preacher in the pulpit while pulling in the tithes? That's disgusting. Each one of them who knew is somewhat complicit as they didn't alert the congregation nor act in such a way to protect young males. They just sat by and let the lion eat who he wanted. And they bankrolled the meal!!

 

[Recovering-Lurker]

Provided she wasn't fully aware of it. I think a lot of times these wives know what they are up to and choose to ignore it.

That's what I was going to say. People will put up with a lot in order to keep living their lavish lifestyles.

 

[momtective]

Bishop Eddie Long accuser Sxxxxxx Lxxxxxxx speaks out [NEW VIDEO]
http://www.examiner.com/christian-t...r-spencer-legrande-speaks-out-new-video-video

 

[Belinda]

Excellent observations, Missizzy. Having first-hand experience of those facial expressions tells me you are right on target. I can also see that he used the entire families of these boys. I don't think it means the mother's knew, at least, not necessarily, but it clearly shows the boys were concerned that help for their families would be withdrawn if they did not comply. How much lower can one go? Not much.