GA - Bishop Long accused of coercing young males into sex

[Missizzy]

Well, he's still talking about the "boys on the corner" it seems:

http://savannahnow.com/latest-news/2010-10-03/pastor-eddie-long-says-he-wont-be-pulled-street-fight

Pastor Eddie Long says he won't be pulled into 'street fight'


"A megachurch pastor accused of luring four young men into sexual relationships said Sunday that he won't be pulled into a street fight over the allegations and vowed that his faith has been strengthened.

Bishop Eddie Long did not directly mention the accusations to thousands of cheering supporters during services at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in suburban Lithonia. But his remarks seemed directly addressed to his accusers.

"In times of challenge, there are several things that come out. Your faith will be strengthened or weakened," he said, to growing applause. "My faith is being strengthened...."

and

"....Long's more than hour-long sermon was greeted with thunderous applause and adoration. Several thousand parishioners flocked to the suburban Atlanta complex for the 8 a.m. service, and cars snaked in traffic for miles after it was over..."

and

"...Long has not addressed the accusations directly, but promised Sunday that he would not let his legal troubles prevent him or his church from doing its work.

"I ain't going to stop living," he said amid more applause."

more at link

 

[Missizzy]

I came across a quote this morning which I feel is exceptionally on point today:

"There are two ways to be fooled: One is to believe what isn't so; the other is to refuse to believe what is so."

- Soren Kierkegaard

 

[Belinda]

This blatant adoration is making me nauseous. Apparently these people don't care what he has done to those boys. Their blanket support regardless of evidence is sickening and completely mystifies me. Are they leaving their brains in the trunks of their cars or what? They can't all be that stupid.

 

[Trino]

This blatant adoration is making me nauseous. Apparently these people don't care what he has done to those boys. Their blanket support regardless of evidence is sickening and completely mystifies me. Are they leaving their brains in the trunks of their cars or what? They can't all be that stupid.

I absolutely agree with your statements. Jim Jones certainly brain-washed his followers, didn't he? I can't get past his extravagant lifestyle that the congregation cannot see through.

Long's statement about not getting into street fights... What does that mean?

 

[Belinda]

If we have any luck it means he has received some threats of injury. I shouldn't say that, but I really want to see him knocked off his pedestal.

 

[Missizzy]

You mean like a......street fight? LOL. That's not like me but I too, am nauseated about the adoration and blind support shown to this man. What is this telling others who offend and harass and prey? Go forth with full immunity from us.

Belinda, none of us want to believe that all these healthy looking, seemingly bright people can be clueless or plain stupid but what other answer is there? I might give them a pass if I hadn't seen the photos nor seen the videos of the accusers. But given the information which has been released, how could any intelligent person not believe that Long has been having extramarital affairs with young men. He has railed against sex outside of marriage and called down the wrath of God on gays (God was filing his nails, thank goodness, as he is wont to do with Long I believe). So, even if a church member didn't buy that these young men were coerced or preyed upon or groomed what do they think of the sex?

It's one thing to love and revere your pastor and to even state that you will withhold judgement. However these people have reading the same news stories we have. Many of them probably know these young men. Heck, one elder even owns one of the trysting spots.

It's time to wake up over there in Georgia.

 

[Belinda]

The totally overdone groveling adoration makes me realize this is not a church, it is a cult. That is the only possible explanation for this bizarro behavior. They are programed to suck up to his highness. Their will to think for themselves has apparently been compromised. How sad.

 

[Missizzy]

So, that's it? Everything is back to normal. We've dusted our hands off and just carried on? Did anyone bother to ask the four young men if everything is "back to normal"? I'd forgotten, this is a Baptist church and it's first Sunday so there's communion. And Bishop Long took communion?

http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/bishop-eddie-long-new-656243.html?cxtype=ynews_rss

Bishop Eddie Long | New Birth services back to normal


"Sunday services at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia appeared back to normal during the 11 a.m. service.

The Lithonia-based church observed communion Sunday before Bishop Eddie Long delivered the sermon. Long's sermon made no obvious references to his recent troubles...."

more at link


Is there not one little brave child who can stand up and point out that the emperor is missing his clothes?

 

[hoppyfrog]

I don't believe for one minute this will go to trial. He will settle out of court. He won't want the whole stories coming out in open court.

Do you mean the civil lawsuits or the criminal case?

Long wanted to drop the criminal charges, but the DA refused. The burglary cases are going forward.

 

[Missizzy]

The burglary case is really not connected at all to the civil suits. The young man who is charged is ready to face those charges. I'm quite certain that Long wanted to quickly dispatch those charges so that the young man might drop the civil suit but the DA wisely declined.

If I'm not mistaken, it's already been determined that there is no criminal case against Long as the men were above the age of consent. It remains to be seen if criminal charges can be brought if they prove misuse of church funds.

 

[TexasLil]

So, that's it? Everything is back to normal. We've dusted our hands off and just carried on? Did anyone bother to ask the four young men if everything is "back to normal"? I'd forgotten, this is a Baptist church and it's first Sunday so there's communion. And Bishop Long took communion?

http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/bishop-eddie-long-new-656243.html?cxtype=ynews_rss

Bishop Eddie Long | New Birth services back to normal


"Sunday services at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia appeared back to normal during the 11 a.m. service.

The Lithonia-based church observed communion Sunday before Bishop Eddie Long delivered the sermon. Long's sermon made no obvious references to his recent troubles...."

more at link


Is there not one little brave child who can stand up and point out that the emperor is missing his clothes?

I'm curious if there was any significant decrease in membership / attendance recently or if the whole congregation is blinded to the allegations and in total disbelief their pastor could / would have committed such an act.

I find it hard to believe there aren't some sensible members among the congregation.

 

[Belinda]

Do you mean the civil lawsuits or the criminal case?

Long wanted to drop the criminal charges, but the DA refused. The burglary cases are going forward.

Sorry, I meant the civil cases. Mr. Long will want to contain as much dirty laundry as possible and if he lets it go to trial it all comes out.

 

[stilettos]

I'm curious if there was any significant decrease in membership / attendance recently or if the whole congregation is blinded to the allegations and in total disbelief their pastor could / would have committed such an act.

I find it hard to believe there aren't some sensible members among the congregation.

There are very few who have left..the majority are sticking. It is amazing. In this day and age...there has to be a pic somewhere...so I am sitting back and waiting..and well...as I am not perfect God help him, and step down Bishop Long!

 

[Belinda]

It's the manipulation that really gets to me the most. He played them all like a little chess game.

 

[Missizzy]

For those interested, this is a great article outlining the different legal "styles" of Long's attorney, Craig Gillen, and the attorney representing the young men, B.J. Bernstein:

http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/bishop-eddie-long-opposing-656053.html

 

[Missizzy]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20101004...s_private_investigator_to_fight_sex_scandal_1

Bishop Eddie Long Hires Famous Private Investigator to Fight Sex Scandal


"The Eddie Long side of the sex scandal case added some defense muscle Thursday when the Bishop's defense team hired famed private investigator T. J. Ward to help in the investigation into the sex allegations made against the megachurch pastor by four young men last week. T. J. Ward, who became famous as part of the investigation into the notorious Natalee Holloway disappearance in Aruba..."


more at link

 

[believe09]

The burglary case is really not connected at all to the civil suits. The young man who is charged is ready to face those charges. I'm quite certain that Long wanted to quickly dispatch those charges so that the young man might drop the civil suit but the DA wisely declined.

If I'm not mistaken, it's already been determined that there is no criminal case against Long as the men were above the age of consent. It remains to be seen if criminal charges can be brought if they prove misuse of church funds.

Now it may be my hinky meter, but what do you think those two now victims were doing breaking into the church? Looking for photos, computer, evidence??? I'm just sayin...

 

[believe09]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20101004...s_private_investigator_to_fight_sex_scandal_1

Bishop Eddie Long Hires Famous Private Investigator to Fight Sex Scandal


"The Eddie Long side of the sex scandal case added some defense muscle Thursday when the Bishop's defense team hired famed private investigator T. J. Ward to help in the investigation into the sex allegations made against the megachurch pastor by four young men last week. T. J. Ward, who became famous as part of the investigation into the notorious Natalee Holloway disappearance in Aruba..."


more at link

Right on cue, time to impeach the credibility of the victims.

 

[believe09]

Sorry, I meant the civil cases. Mr. Long will want to contain as much dirty laundry as possible and if he lets it go to trial it all comes out.

See the above note regarding the PI... He is going to release dirty laundry about the vics in a slow drip drop into the press, I bet. Or it is the intimidation factor. JMVHO. :croc:

 

[Belinda]

Now it may be my hinky meter, but what do you think those two now victims were doing breaking into the church? Looking for photos, computer, evidence??? I'm just sayin...

Frankly, I think they did it just out of sheer rage. JMO But, it would be interesting if they were looking for some specific evidence they could use. Wonder if they found anything?