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 Bishop Eddie Long is the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Church in Lithonia, Georgia.
May 26th, 2011
05:37 PM ET
Bishop Eddie Long settles with accusersBy John Blake, CNN Atlanta (CNN) - Bishop Eddie Long, the Atlanta-based megachurch leader, has reached an out-of-court settlement with four young men who accused him of sexual coercion, representatives for both sides said Thursday. B.J. Bernstein, the attorney representing the men, said in a statement that the lawsuits against Long and his church have “been resolved.” Bernstein's two-paragraph statement said that neither she nor the accusers would talk about the lawsuits “now or in the future.” Art Franklin, a Long spokesman, said Thursday that the pastor settled because it “is the most reasonable road for everyone to travel.” “This decision was made to bring closure to this matter and to allow us to move forward with the plans God has for this ministry,” Franklin said in a statement. Long is an internationally known televangelist who crusaded against gay marriage, and the lawsuits against him drew national attention. The settlement comes eight months after Long, the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Church in Lithonia, Georgia, said from the pulpit of his 25,000 member megachurch that he vowed to fight the accusations against him, with the congregation cheering in response. Long entered into mediation talks in February. According to news reports, the sessions between Long and his four accusers - Anthony Flagg, Maurice Robinson, Jamal Parris and Spencer LeGrande - were tense. The suits accused Long of using his position to coerce the men into having sexual relationships with him while they were teenage members of his congregation. The lawsuits say Long engaged in intimate sexual acts with the young men, such as massages, masturbation and oral sex. Long took the young men on trips including to Kenya, according to the suits. He allegedly enticed the young men with gifts including cars, clothes, jewelry and electronic items. Long's attorneys deny those allegations and maintain that the pastor was attempting to be a father figure to the youths by providing them with financial assistance and encouragement. Though no trial will now take place, Long may face the judgment of his congregation and fans worldwide. Shayne Lee, a sociology professor at Tulane University in Louisiana and an authority on televangelists, said Long’s out of court settlement may erode some of his support. “When you settle outside of court, it implies that there’s some guilt involved,” said Lee, author of "Holy Mavericks: Evangelical Innovators and the Spiritual Marketplace." “To the average congregation in the black church, those are some very serious charges,” Lee said, referring to the men’s charges against Long. “You can’t settle outside of court. You have to fight and roll up your sleeves, be defiant and fight it.” Since the scandal had erupted, attendance at Long’s church had fallen, and New Birth officials have announced plans to lay off staff and cut Long’s salary. But Lee said it would be premature to think that Long will retreat from the pulpit. “He can say ‘I still have my anointing and I still have my ministry,’ ’’ Lee said. “He can say that God is working out the weeds so that the tree has a stronger foundation.” The four men’s accusations stunned many of Long’s followers. A married man, Long had often preached about the sanctity of marriage. He once led a march against gay marriage. Long had also cultivated a public image that was built on his machismo. He wore tight muscle shirts in the pulpit. He wrote books that compared Christian men to spiritual gladiators. He told people he had a special calling to reach men. One Atlanta pastor predicted Long will survive the scandal because his core audience will forgive him. “Black folks have very short memories,” said the Rev. Tim McDonald, senior pastor of First Iconium Baptist Church in Atlanta. “We are the most forgiving people on the planet." McDonald, who said he has talked privately with Long since the scandal erupted, said Long “went into a shell” after the accusations against him went public. Before the scandal erupted, Long would often publicly criticize other black pastors, and once said they “major in storefront buildings,” suggesting that they lacked the business acumen to build a megachurch like he had. But Long had shown a different public face lately, McDonald said. His entourage wasn’t as big; he was more visible in the community. “I found him opening up,” McDonald said. “If he can pick that back up and humble himself and stop saying things like, ‘I ain’t just another chicken-eating preacher,’ he’ll survive.” Lee, the Tulane sociologist, said Long will remain in the pulpit for another reason. “This is what he knows,” Lee said. “He’s not going to be able to sell insurance or cars. He’s cocky. He’s confident. He believes in redemption.” Videos from 2010: Bishop Long's sex case mediation
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Bishop sometime the devil will put a river in front of us so we can.t cross over, that is when God will carry us,because of our anoiting, he no longer put puddles of water, he put rivers without a bridge, but God come right on time and be the bridge over trouble water. Thank God for you,praying and love you all.
Eddie Long, old time hockey, eh!
How did this become a "BLACK" issue. IF that is the case, the what does it say about Whites and supporting the CAtholic church?
It is an issue within the Black community with regards to how how some power men within the community have chosen to exploit the weaknesses in the community. Yes this can happen with any group of people, but it is an issue blacks will need to confront.
Now if he can just make a pay off to God he will be home free.
Settlement?
Now I know that there is some truth in the accusations. When asked to comment about the accusations, when it first happened, didn't Long state that he was going to fight his accusers in court, rather than through the media? Why settle out of court now? I guess the preacher has the right to do as he pleases in a black church. Do as I say, not as I do!
The costs of taking a suit to trial are exorbitant. Even if he wins at trial (which is not guaranteed), he still pays expenses, including discovery and attorneys' fees. Plus details of his personal life, even if he didn't do those things, become public record.
The simple truth is that in the long run a settlement makes a lot more sense than fighting through court to the bitter end and a judicial determination. Mr. Long gets a guaranteed outcome, and guaranteed silence, for the same or less than what a trial would have cost. In my heart of hearts I believe there is some truth to the allegations, but the public won't get to know now.
Allison
The costs of taking a suit to trial are exorbitant. Even if he wins at trial (which is not guaranteed), he still pays expenses, including discovery and attorneys' fees. Plus details of his personal life, even if he didn't do those things, become public record.
The simple truth is that in the long run a settlement makes a lot more sense than fighting through court to the bitter end and a judicial determination. Mr. Long gets a guaranteed outcome, and guaranteed silence, for the same or less than what a trial would have cost. In my heart of hearts I believe there is some truth to the allegations, but the public won't get to know now.
--------
I'm sorry but I don't understand the need for guaranteed silence! Your correct the public will not get to know but what is important is God knows!
Whew! Somehow I'm actually relieved it's not another story about of a Catholic priest abusing little boys.
“Black folks have very short memories,” Really? Are you sure about that? What exactly are you saying?
If he was innocent, then why would he settle out of court?
John 3:19-20 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. (20) For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
People settle for different reasons. YOu can not say he is guilty based on the fact that he settled. Maybe he is guilty maybe is was innocent. I look at the actions and the crediablity. And the guys in this case was more crediabie. The pastor was trying was upfront in fighting and guys came forward and stood by and did not change any of their stories.
He is always preaching about having faith and standing up to injustice when you know you have done nothing wrong. WOW so he settles out of court...hmmm. I wonder if his wife has waken up to the fact that her husband is on the down low?
It is sad when preachers do wrong and then use their authority to justify the wrong. Always follow GOD people and not the man.
Lets jiust forgive him and move on......
Forgive and forget. That is how bad people get to re-offend.
Ler's add to that
1. Sit him down from pastoring
2. Get him counseling
Wow. And I thought this guy was innocent (eye roll).
I will get over slavery just as soon as you get over Pearl Harbor, Bataan, Little Big Horn and any other palce the white man got his a– handed to him.
Black folks stop giving your money to these people, Long, TD and the rest, you are the only one that can get yourself to heaven and the grace of god.
Once again, why is this guy still preaching? Bad enough he violated four young boys but then compounds his sins by continuing to preach the errors of Christianity!!!! Give us a break!!!!
Reality
Once again, why is this guy still preaching? Bad enough he violated four young boys but then compounds his sins by continuing to preach the errors of Christianity!!!! Give us a break!!!!
That is an absolutely foolish statement: "to preach the errors of Christianity!!!!" ...The errors aren't in Christ, or in Christianity, the errors are in those people who assume a 'role' of speaking for God, or about God, when God is neither in them, or in their assumed ministry. God never said, "Pick up your cross and follow them" ... He said "Pick up your cross and follow Me!"
" the errors are in those people who assume a 'role' of speaking for God"
I agree. Ignore all clerics and texts. Decide on your own what "god" is
Rick
"the errors are in those people who assume a 'role' of speaking for God." I agree. Ignore all clerics and texts. Decide on your own what "god" is.
"Decide on your own what "god" is."
The 'True God' is not a 'what' ... He is 'who' ... He is the Great "I AM" (Elohim) ... The 'Great Creator' of Heaven and Earth ... of ALL that is seen and unseen. 'Religions' make up their own 'gods' ... but Christianity is not a 'Religion' ... it is a 'Relationship' with the Great "I AM." Many people and religions call themselves Christians, but they are not ... not because I say ... but because God says. God says, "Why do you call Me LORD, yet you don't do what I say?"
When polled, America says it is 85% Christian ... if that were really true, would we be in our current condition? No. When people follow the True God, they prosper is all thier ways ... when they don't, they fail miserably ... and sad to say, that is where America is today.
Did he accept IT and ask forgiveness? No, he admits nothin but paid them to shut them up.
Forgive him? NO, stone him to death? PERFECT!
Stoning? Why get perfectly good stone involved. Strip him naked and turn him loose in a general prison population. That works for me.
Egad, the American Taliban are out in force. This guy should be removed from his post and do some jail time. But let's put away the stoning and gang ra-pe fantasies.
I would prefer for the stoning but all of the above done simultaneously to this pervert is better.
Jim Jones, PTL Club (Jim and Tammie Bakker), Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar..... and the list goes on. Read the bible for yourselves. The book of Jude goes into great detail about these predators: "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviouness..." We Christians often take the paraphrased interpretation/doctrine of these mortal imperfect men, put them on pedestal and drink their tainted kool-aid over and over again. Being a follower of Christ is a beautiful thing, but we must be careful that we are not caught up in the theatrics and end up following man.
Who exactly appointed, elected, and consecrated this idiot ?
Oh, himself ? I get it.
Oh look.... it's this story AGAIN. Yes, we know he's guilty as sin. Pardon the expression... However, that won't change him in his church's eyes.
One word – GUILTY!
Come out, Come out, where ever you are .