GA - Bishop Long accused of coercing young males into sex

[Missizzy]

I guess everything's just going to go back to normal over at New Birth. I wonder who's paying for the settlement? From what I've read, I don't think the issue has ever been about the teens messin' with Bishop Long. It's about the Bishop messin' with the teens.

http://www.bvblackspin.com/2011/04/26/bishop-long-delivers-ballsy-speech-targeting-accusers/

Bishop Long Delivers Ballsy Speech Targeting Accusers

"While the media has moved on to to other matters and most of the cameras have been put away, Bishop Eddie Long has returned to a relatively routine life as the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Bishop Long delivered a rousing sermon on Easter Sunday, even targeting the four men who alleged that he sexually abused them. Seemingly emboldened by the news that a settlement, regarding the allegations, will be reached soon, Bishop Long proclaimed:

"You ain't messin' with me. I shall rise again and I ain't going through this. You have to go down there and let the devil know that what they thought was gonna kill you, didn't kill you. What they thought was gonna bring terror to you, didn't bring terror to you and you made the enemies public spectacle...."

more at link


And:

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/27631396/detail.html

Sources: Bishop Eddie Long Case Close To Resolution

"Channel 2 Action News has learned there could be a resolution soon in the sexual misconduct civil case against New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Bishop Eddie Long.

Four former members of the church have filed lawsuits against the bishop, his youth academy and the church alleging Long used his position to coerce them into sex.
Sources told Channel 2 that court-ordered mediation sessions in the case are close to an agreement...."

more at link

 

[Missizzy]

Doesn't look like mediation is working:

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/27874800/detail.html

Eddie Long Misconduct Case Could Be Heading To Trial

"It appears the parties in the Bishop Eddie Long sexual misconduct lawsuit are no longer close to settling the case. The judge in the case now says he is preparing for a trial in the fall...."

more at link

 

[TobyWong*]

Doesn't look like mediation is working:

http://www.wsbtv.com/news/27874800/detail.html

Eddie Long Misconduct Case Could Be Heading To Trial

"It appears the parties in the Bishop Eddie Long sexual misconduct lawsuit are no longer close to settling the case. The judge in the case now says he is preparing for a trial in the fall...."

more at link

Thank you Missizzy for keeping on this. Love how he threw the accusors under the bus in his Easter sermon cause he was thinking this was gonna disappear easily for him.

Pleaes take it to trial. If only to provide eddie long a lil stress and discomfort. Though I'm sure he'll never own up to anything, I do want these young men to have some validation for standing against someone like long. imo

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

I just heard on Fox News with Shepard Smith that this case has been resolved.

"Attorney: Sexual misconduct lawsuit involving Georgia megachurch pastor Eddie Long resolved."

Here's a link: http://www.necn.com/05/26/11/Attorn...ockID=3&apID=c6447b0947434806b7f345cd95668df2



I posted that link before I went to read the story - there's nothing there but basically that sentence! (Sorry!) Will look for another link.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Here we go:

http://www.startribune.com/nation/122675419.html


"A lawsuit filed by four young men who accused a Georgia megachurch pastor of sexual misconduct has been resolved, attorneys for both sides said Thursday, bringing a quiet end to a blockbuster legal complaint that targeted one of the nation's most powerful church leaders."

 

[believe09]

Well that leaves us to speculate a little...Will Long step down after confessing his sins, will Long simply confess his sins and move on, will Long simply step down, will Long go on as if it never happened and continue to preach against homosexuality et al? Will his flock continue to allow him to oversee young impressionable male parishoners unattended?

 

[Missizzy]

It seems that there must be a confidentiality clause as it's reported that no one will be making a statement. I'm pleased that the young men don't have to go through the trauma of testifying but disappointed that Long's church family and the general public will not hear all the details. Does life just go on as before? Is he still adored while the teens are shunned? Another article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/natio.../05/26/AGkC1ACH_story.html?wprss=rss_national

 

[TobyWong*]

Well that leaves us to speculate a little...Will Long step down after confessing his sins, will Long simply confess his sins and move on, will Long simply step down, will Long go on as if it never happened and continue to preach against homosexuality et al? Will his flock continue to allow him to oversee young impressionable male parishoners unattended?

IMO. long will go on just as he has done. I'm dissappointed that this did not go to trial. He will go on preaching, the parishoners will go on giving him money so that he can continue to do Gods work as expensively as possible. And I'd bet there are parents signing their boys over to him since this came out. Makes me so mad. imo

 

[Missizzy]

I'd like to know who's signing the settlement checks. Is it Long, the church, or the church's insurance? I simply do not understand Long's supporters' rationale. Not at all.

Some updates:

http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/eddie-long-case-officially-958537.html

Eddie Long case officially dismissed
May 27, 2011

"Documents were filed late Friday in DeKalb County State Court confirming the sexual misconduct case against Bishop Eddie Long has been dismissed "with prejudice," one day after it was revealed a settlement had been reached. The dismissals, first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, prevent the four defendants from suing Long again for the same alleged offense...."

and

"...a member of New Birth for about a dozen years said the settlement means "we can move forward and continue to do what God would have us do." O said it doesn't bother her that she may never know the terms of the settlement. "I'm still steadfast," she said. "I know what he's done in my life, and I know what he has done in the lives of others....."

KH, a Web content editor who lives in Decatur, said the settlement has not shaken her faith. "It doesn't make me think he's guilty or anything," she said. "I decided when this came out that I loved my pastor unconditionally...."

and

"...KH said it doesn't bother her that she may never know whether the allegations are true. "He's done 1,000 good things," she said, "and he may or may not have done four really bad things."

More at link


And another article here:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/...r-Atlanta-pastor-Eddie-Long.html?s_cid=rss-32

Sex charges dropped for Atlanta pastor Eddie Long

"....What remains of Long's church is a far cry from what it once was. CNN's John Blake reports, "The streets that were once choked with traffic are now bare. The church's sprawling parking lot is half full. Inside the stylish sanctuary, ushers sway to choir music in front of empty seats...."

More at link

 

[fran]

Well alrighty then. Case closed!

Until the next time a few MORE young male parishoners get together and make notes. Some day there will be a few that cannot be bought off!

Wonder how many house-calls are being made, as we type, to additional accusers who haven't contacted LE, or an attorney, but the church?

JMHO, of course!
fran

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

"Bernice King, MLK's daughter, leaves Eddie Long's church"

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/05/31/bernice-king-leaves-eddie-longs-church/?hpt=hp_t2

 

[Missizzy]

It's about time!!

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/06/04/martin.bishop.long/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

No, Bishop Long, we cannot ignore the past.

"If you are truly innocent of such heinous allegations, you don't go behind closed doors. You defend yourself publicly and shame those who try to muddy your name and derail your ministry.

Long has utterly failed even his own preaching. He has stood in the pulpit and demanded accountability of others, but clearly believes a different set of rules applies to him.

After his refusal to address the issue publicly, openly and truthfully, I don't see how any pastor could participate in a conference with Long on the rostrum. I don't see how any gospel musician could go to his church and stand in the pulpit with him to sell their CDs. As a churchgoing man, there is no way I could sit under the spiritual leadership of any pastor who was unwilling to stand before his congregation and address the issue head on."

 

[Missizzy]

By not addressing the "issue at hand" nor his flock's short sighted and ill-informed responses, Bishop Long is effectively giving the impression that this sort of heinous behavior should be swept under the rug and should not in any way define a man....that a man's good deeds negate his transgressions.

Problem is, it can't be made to go away as people were hurt and misled. Every human being, including clergy, make mistakes. The way they deal with those mistakes, define the man, IMO.

Sadly, Bishop Long has defined himself for me. His message of a double standard spoken in the name of God, came through loud and clear. I see no repentance, no public apology, no humility. I see a man sorry he got caught and hopeful that everyone will ignore the pain and embarrassment and changed lives of a group of promising young teens...now men.


Proverbs 3:34 "He gives grace to the humble."

 

[Missizzy]

Wow!! More than I was expecting. Why in the world was the church paying the young men so much each year before the charges were brought? I would NOT be happy if I was a church member of New Birth.

http://www.reddingnewsreview.com/newspages/2011newspages/source_long_11_1000051.htm

Source: Bishop Eddie Long settled for $24.8 million, private apology

"New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor Bishop Eddie Long is paying nearly $25 million and has given an apology to settle claims he had sexual relationships with four young male parishioners..."

and

"...The source, who claims to be familiar with the details of the settlement and did not wish to be identified, said that Long refused to give a public apology, which ended up costing him more. What began as a $2 million agreement to settle the case for each of the four men quickly rose to $5.5 million for the respective plaintiffs, the source said, only because Long refused to publically admit guilt....."

and

"....The men are to divide $2.2 million equally and then receive $400,000 in payments until the money is paid out over the next 20 years, the source said. The final figure comes to $22 million for the four men and $2.8 million for the plaintiffs attorneys...."

and

"...The church had already been paying these four young men $40,000 annually each before any charges were filed....."


more at link



"Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18

That pride and haughty spirit was mighty spendy.

 

[TobyWong*]

Thanks Missizzy.
No need for a public apology, paying that much to keep these men quiet says it all, imo.

This won't be the last time we hear of young men and eddie long. Someone will have pictures. He fancies himself a lil to much for his own good. IMO

It would be nice for his church to have some sort of accounting for the money that has been and will be payed out for this. You know how in drug cases they have to prove the bail money did'nt come from dealing drugs?? So the hush money does'nt come from the church, especially if he's not going to publically acknowledge any wrong doing.

 

[noZme]

Megabucks can keep criminals out of jail.

It's beyond obvious that "God's money" is mis-spent; why would anyone continue to tithe at New Birth?

Would Jesus wear a Rolex on his tv show?
http://youtu.be/76ohvqwsNkk

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Great video noZme...that pretty much says it all.....thanks for posting it!

 

[Missizzy]

Well, OK then. I think I've got it straight. A direct quote from Bishop Long:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130159112

"...Long himself drives a $350,000 Bentley, bought a $1.1 million home in 2005 and favors gold necklaces and Rolex watches. When the Atlanta Journal-Constitution asked him about the $3 million he received from the church and its charities between 1997 and 2000, Long was defiant.

"We're not just a church; we're an international corporation," he said. "We're not just a bumbling bunch of preachers who can't talk and all we're doing is baptizing babies. I deal with the White House. I deal with Tony Blair. I deal with presidents around the world. I pastor a multimillion-dollar congregation...."

more at link


I think I'll take the good-hearted "bumbling preachers", thank you very much..

 

[Missizzy]

Oh no, the revenue of that "international corporation" is down!!

http://elev8.com/news/orethawinston/eddie-longs-church-is-collapsing-says-source/

Eddie Long’s Church Is Collapsing, Says Source

"Bishop Eddie Long may have just wrought the end to his Atlanta mega-congregation, the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. A source within New Birth says that the consequences of the Long sex scandal have amounted to a veritable “three strikes” against him...."

~Strike One — Church elders are abandoning Long

~Strike Two: Revenue for the church is down

~Strike Three – Bishop Long’s lack of humility

more at link