Bishop Eddie Long Sex Abuse Scandal: Gay Sex Scandal Rocks New Birth Missionary Baptist Church
There’s a scandal brewing in The Bible Belt: Well-known anti-gay Atlanta pastor Bishop Eddie Long is fighting for his spiritual life this week after two young former parishoners filed suit against the minister of the famed New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in suburban Atlanta for using his cash, cars, and other lavish gifts to coerce them into homosexual relationships with him while the young men — now 20 and 21 — were still teenagers.
According to CNN.com: “Two Georgia men have filed a lawsuit claiming that prominent Atlanta, Georgia, pastor Eddie Long coerced them into sex. The suits, filed Tuesday in DeKalb County, Georgia, allege that Long used his position as a spiritual authority and bishop to coerce young male members and employees of his New Birth Missionary Baptist Church into sex. The pastor took one plaintiff, Anthony Flagg, 21, on overnight trips to a half-dozen American cities in recent years, Flagg’s suit alleges. ‘Long shared a bedroom and engaged in intimate sexual contact with plaintiff Flagg including kissing, massaging, masturbating of plaintiff Flagg by defendant Long and oral sexual contact,’ the suit says. Long took the other plaintiff, Maurice Murray Robinson, 20, to Auckland, New Zealand, in October 2008 for his 18th birthday and engaged in oral sex with him, Robinson’s suit alleges. Long frequently denounces homosexual behavior. A 2007 article in the Southern Poverty Law Center’s magazine called him ‘one of the most virulently homophobic black leaders in the religiously based anti-gay movement.’”
Bishop Eddie Long is a married father of four. Craig Gillen, who represents the reverend, denies that her client is guilty of pastoral abuse and argues that the gay sex suit may steam from Maurice and Anthony’s anger over being charged with a break-in at Long’s church office last summer. BJ Bernstein, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, admits that Maurice is facing a criminal burglary charge in connection with the incident. He was arrested on June 23 and charged with stealing an iPad and an iPhone from Bishop Long. He says he committed the burglary in retaliation after learning that the Bishop was also romantically-involved with other young men.
Written by Castina on September 22nd, 2010 | Tagged as: Popular Culture
On September 23rd 2010, Bishop Walter Dion wrote:
September 22, 2010 8:30 P.M.
Bishop Walter Dixon’s Official Press Release
Re:Bishop Walter Dixon of Atlanta, GA Requesting The Offices Of U. S.Attorney Of Northern District of Georgia and Georgia Attorney General To Consider Launching A Criminal Investigating Regarding Bishop Eddie Long’s Plaintif’s Sexual Allegation Complaints filed against Bishop Eddie Long Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church In Lithonia, Georgia.
Since there have been a third complaint filed one day later after two other ones and in order for Bishop Eddie Long to clear his name and creditability this would be best for him, his family and most important the congregation members of New Birth.
Let the facts be revealed and brought forward to the public and New Birth’s Congregation Members.
Bishop Walter Dixon
[email protected]
P.O. Box 832161
Stone Mountain, GA 30083
On September 23rd 2010, NC resident wrote:
At the end of the day we should all just pray that the spirit of truth come forth in this matter. If this allegation is true remember this is the same one that prayed for some of us in our mess. So pray ye, confess ye one to another that you be healed. If this isn’t true just another example of how the spirit of retaliation operates to bring down people from the position they operate in. Remember 1 finger pointed leads 3 back pointing at you. Have you prayed for him as a person, a leader, a husband or a father. Don’t be so quick to jump to a conclusion. Also blessed are those who are merciful for they shall obtain mercy. This isn’t between us, Bishop Eddie, and the accusers. It is between the alleged victims and the defendant in this matter.
God bless and watch over us all.
On September 23rd 2010, Tara Clark wrote:
I think Bishop Long needs all of us praying Christians to pray for he and his family. Guilty or not this is alot to take in and they need their privacy as they cope with this. As for his church, they deserve to know the truth because all of their souls are at stake. Bishop Long has a long rode ahead of him and I think he needs to not hold anything back. The Lord watches all His sheep and He will make sure the truth comes out one way or the other. So I pray God blesses Bishop with the courage to face it all.
On September 23rd 2010, In His Image wrote:
Amen.
On September 23rd 2010, Ga. Girl wrote:
All of our faith is being tested. We who call ourselves children of God. I really believe this is the Lord seperating the wheat from the tare.
On September 23rd 2010, ANA wrote:
Guilty or Innocent? The sex photos that show Bishop Long and the 2 men engaging in gay sex is pretty incriminating, anyone who says he’s innocent CLEARLY has not seen the photos! http://maturevideocontent.com/Bishop-Eddie-Long-Pictures.html
On September 23rd 2010, Cee wrote:
I think if Eddie Long likes,little boys it will come to fruition,and to Tara Clark,his members souls has nothing to do with,Eddie Long, he is not GOD,somepeople may worship him and get caught up in names, and ranks but he is no more special man than I am.His private gets a jones just like mine does. God talks to me,just like he talks to him but he just has a profession in preaching.Its not that different from,”us,christians”,who are supposed to be Doers of the Word. As an individual.If he is guilty,well he needs to go to prison. I know there are mega churches but I often call them mega-cults. I believe in the one and only,GOD and put my faith in nobody,that can not save me,but him. As history has shown,there have been men who were supposed to be about the gospel and spread his work but found themselves with the alter-boys,its sick,but true.Another reason why I put my faith and trust in GOD because,I know he will not let me down and this,”Eddie Long” guy might be innocent but if he is not,he will bring shame to his church,professions (ministering,gospel-music which is already tainted,and etc.)
On September 24th 2010, Ben K wrote:
I trust that God will vindicate his own… the battle belongs to him and am sure the truth shall be revealed. If indeed these men were involved in a break in…. then most probably they are trying to sway attention and pick some compensation from Bishop.
Let all men be liars and God alone be true.
On September 24th 2010, poor bishop wrote:
you know that the devil is always lurking and wanting to steal the joy we have in life..I think if the bishop has done this, then he needs to just admit say he was wrong and get therapy and step down from the church. In life we always have issues all of us do, but its how we handle them is what counts. Him being in that status probably is tempted all the time by many different issues, unfortunetly he fell weak to this one and now he must re group and get better.
On September 24th 2010, womanofintegrity wrote:
Hope those allegations are not true but as a Pastor, Bishop anyone else should not put themselves in a situation where people can accuse you of those kinds of things. God always does house cleaning this is just another one, of course if this is true. Hope repentance can come out of this. My heart goes for Mr. Long’s family and those victims(if is true).
On September 25th 2010, victoria BREEXY wrote:
no wonder people dont go to church today you cannot put your trust in man they will fail you
On September 25th 2010, Rev. Lawrence D. (Larry) Hartley wrote:
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants, (us) “things” that must shortly come to pass; lets wait and see what the Lord Jesus Christ shows us in the matter; OK.
Every Blessing, In His Name
On September 26th 2010, Lawrence D. (Larry) Hartley wrote:
Sexual misconduct charges continue to take a toll across a number of denominations.
The Rev. John Howard Yoder, a Mennonite theologian and ethicist, agreed to seek psychological therapy after a church commission suspended his ministerial credentials. The action followed an 11-month inquiry into accusations of improper behavior made by eight female Mennonite leaders.
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/22/us/religion-notes.html
Dr. Yoder’s writings on Jesus, politics and nonviolence have been influential far beyond the ranks of the small pacifist Mennonite church.
The Rev. W. Graham Pulkingham, an internationally known leader in the charismatic movement in the Episcopal Church, has been temporarily relieved of his duties as an Episcopal priest in Pittsburgh. Father Pulkingham has acknowledged a sexual affair from 1978 to 1982 with a man he was counseling, whose wife has said that it ruined their marriage.
“I am deeply ashamed and totally guilty of what I did,” the priest told Religious News Service. He said he had been “tormented” by homosexual inclinations since adolescence.
Father Pulkingham led a large Episcopal charismatic parish in Houston that was featured in a 1971 CBS television documentary. He later started charismatic groups in England and Scotland.
Victims of a Southern Baptist minister sentenced to 72 years in prison for sexual assaults on five young boys are suing his congregation in Chattanooga, Tenn., the Southern Baptist Convention and Southern Baptist organizations for $10 million. Church officials said they had no indication of the misconduct by the Rev. Ron Phillips and cooperated fully when he was arrested.
On September 27th 2010, Bart wrote:
These churches better stop putting these ministers on a pedestal. It is the churches fault for not recognizing the point that a minister should not be taking these young adult boys on a trip, or trips, and buying them gifts etc…. We as Christians need to open our eyes to protect our ministers, and our churches. We must question these ministers as they are treated like demi gods. If these allegations are brought forthright and are true someone or somebody in the New Birth Church knew what was going on. We as Christians must have the courage to stop allowing these ministers to be set up for a fall even if we have to protect them from themselves. We can stop a scandal like this from ever happening by discretely, and professionally questioning our church leaders with the dignity that they deserve before these types of incidents have the opportunity to manifest themselves. We must remember that these men with these high positions in the church are fallible just like you and I, and are merely just men. This incident is nothing new and has been happening since the beginning of time. Satan is ready to strike at any opportunity to denounce God and his glory. Remember to pray for Bishop Long, and these young men who are all scarred whether these allegations are true or not true. It does not matter. The damage is done. Do not let Satan and the media shred and put a negative light over our clergy, and the church body. Pray for all of our ministers, musicians, church staff, etc.in these high positions of authority, and that the outcome of this incident will in the end give the GLORY to God.
Thank you.
Lawrence B.
On September 27th 2010, Jacob wrote:
Its all boo hoo cause the money train is over. He is a hypocrite and even looks gay. Pray? Pray for what? A man who is gay and yet has a wife? HYPOCRITE.
On September 27th 2010, Daniel wrote:
Gay people don’t need to be healed of homosexuality (as that’s generally not possible anyhow), but they do need to be healed of the relentless gaybashing they have received from the religious right. The hypocritical stance that “it’s all sin, and when our leader is found having having sex with young men we’ll just pray for him too” is just a way of talking around the issue instead of dealing with it head on.
The fact is that more and more of these spiritual leaders are getting caught doing the very thing they excoriate. The spirit of love and truth is not operating in these so-called protectors of public morality.
On September 27th 2010, Felicia Conley wrote:
All I can say is that E.L.’s wife looks very hurt and unsure about it all, We have to rmember that Eddie Long is not being tried in a criminal case, he is being sued. If Eddie Long did this thing to his wife, he should be ashame and if he did this with these young men they should be ashame, Lets wait to see what will happen with this law- suit. I feel sory for his wife and family more than anyone. I hope that Mrs. Long will stand up to her husband if he did this and be very strong and find her place in God, I mean I hope she will just trust God. God will take care of her.
On September 27th 2010, Felicia Conley wrote:
Yep, and one more thing, Eddie Long seems to be very arrogant, I don’t like that. I would like to ask Eddie Long two things and that is , Why did he send those photos to those young men and what does sending those photos mean?
On September 27th 2010, Felicia Conley wrote:
You know what? I am so tired of people commenting how Eddie Long is anti-gay, he is not hating on gay people, he is trying to help them, it is wrong to be gay in God’s eyes and they can not enter into Heaven according to the word of God, Eddie is telling the truth about that gay people, don’t get mad with the message get mad with God if you want too. God said that being gay is an abomination and it is, get over it, read the book of Leviticus chapter 20 and verse 13. The truth will set you free.
On September 27th 2010, Derek Williams wrote:
Speechless. Yet another case of an anti-homosexual zealot doing it with blokes himself, like Roy Ashburn (US anti-gay senator who eventually outed himself as gay) and George Rekers (anti-gay religious campaigner caught holidaying with a male sex worker). No smoke without fire.
These preachers send young gays to self inflicted deaths with the self hatred they invoke, and sometimes to death or grievous bodily harm at the hands of gaybashers doing “God’s work”.
Of course these allegations against Long are just that, and have yet to be tested legally, moreover there is no pedophile component involved. It could be that Long is a victim of opportunistic accusation by down and out youths with an eye on the victim’s compensation money, or a cash settlement such as happened in the Michael Jackson scandal. However with all this accumulating evidence, I am more and more coming to the view that practically all homophobia connotes closet homosexuality in some way. Truly straight men are too busy chasing women to worry about what gays are up to.
Long’s sermons promoting personal wealth definitely conflict with Christ’s unmistakable statement, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven.” Maybe Long keeps a small camel and a large needle as workarounds. That said, I think he is right to encourage impoverished blacks to improve their lot in life, just a shame about all the other freakin’ baggage.
Whether or not he is homosexual, now is the time to repudiate every homophobic sentence he ever wrote or uttered, for the good of all humanity, gay and straight.
On October 7th 2010, ifeanyi abuja nigeria wrote:
may God save His church from shame.i pray God to help the bishop,the family,the church and the christian community in general.let the truyh prevail.
On October 10th 2010, Leviticus wrote:
Yes, every modern American should follow the teachings of Leviticus. I have a few facetious suggestions:
Lev. 20:9 -”If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death.” I believe any teen who is disgruntled with his parents should definitely be put to death as per Leviticus.
Lev. 20:10 – “If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife-with the wife of his neighbor-both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.” Modern America has been way to soft on adultery charges. Death row should be filled. Why so few? Perhaps the Muslims have been doing it right? Woe to the modern world.
Now, Leviticus also tells a few things about immigration. Why do we ignore it and try to build fences between the US and Mexico (and not Canada)? Leviticus 19:33 – “When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt.” And, BTW who are the aliens in Tejas, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and California?
I believe we all should take a closer reading of Leviticus and follow it. It’s really quite relevant for the modern world. These and other enlightening topics can be found in Leviticus. Get a copy. Find out how to stone your neighbor for not keeping the sabbath holy, when you can stop paying your mortgage because the Bible says it’s usury, how and when to sprinkle the blood of a slaughtered goat to atone for sins, and best of all, learn how sinful you are for wearing clothing made of more than one material. (cotton/rayon blend is a big no-no according to Leviticus). I urge you all to pick up you Bible now and read more.
On March 27th 2011, Truth wrote:
Is it me or did this man say he has five rocks and he had not thrown one of them yet. I guess one of the rocks is to settle the case so he can put the 4 rocks back. Eddie Long is guilty of manipulating young boys in his congregation and destroying their lives. Eddie is a very powerful man with a lot of influence in the Metro Area. Loyal members of his congregation include: Bernice King, Frank Ski, Dekalb County Sheriff Thomas Brown, Celebrities and influential members from Dekalb county government and the School system. Now you get a chance to see why Dekalb county is in such a mess. The school system is under fire and Sherrif Derwin Brown was just murdered. When you have over 25,000 cult members who are all on the same page it gives Eddie Long the power to sway elections which makes him the Godfather in Georgia and he knows it. Listen to his press conference and he says nothing about praying for the boys but tells his cult members to go out and vote. Frank Ski is the radio station in Atlanta and Rashan Ali is a loyal personal friend so they turn a blind ear when it comes to keeping the public informed. If it were anyone else accused of this the radio station would have given an entire week to tell the public how horrible this man is.