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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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Mr. Long is not being judged on if he's going to heaven or hell–he's being judged on what he did....
Bishop Long should take a page from Elliot Spitzer's book and step down. But who will pastor the pastor? I saw a good article on the Bishop Long settlement on http://apleblog.com
Bishop Long should take a page from Elliot Spitzer's book and step down. But who will pastor the pastor? I saw a good article on the Bishop Long settlement here: http://apleblog.com/2011/06/11/long-takes-the-short-road/
What we should do is pray and do lest talking. Let me say this alot of yall are talking about Bishop long and what he's done but some of you preacher's are or have done the samething the only thing you never gotten caught. So instead of talking i'm asking us to pray for him and his family and the new birth church becasue after all this we still need jesus christ to help us in the midst of this confusion!!!
See, the problem with this is that praying never actually DOES accomplish anything, whereas talking occasionally can, like here, when those guys talked and exposed this scum sucking sex offender leech for what he is. Cowardly flight to the soothing lie of prayer, and the LACK of honest talk, is exactly the problem.....
“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."
Black people don't have short memories... They remember what they want to remember. I'm black and I've seen it happen too many times!
I for once don't believe in God, let alone another man. This was a time for the people to stop trusting in a man to guide them into grace. Yet the people turn a blind eye and continue to support him. You do not settle. You do not stop if you know that you are innocent. This implies that you as a leader buckle in the face of uncertainty and despair. Jesus said, that if someone slaps you in the face, you turn the other cheek, because when it is time for the truth to come to light God will be on your side and if you know that you are innocent then Jesus will be your lawyer during the tough times. All you had to do was believe, that is only if you know that you are innocent. NOW if you are not innocent then all you want is for the problem to go away as quickly as possible and cut your loses. THAT IS WHAT YOU DID PASTOR. IN MY EYES YOU ARE GUILTY AS CHARGED!!
wow i am impressed by your comment, if i am not mistaking you said you dont believe in god, then you continue with scripture truth almost as if you are ministering. I am sorry i dont mean any harm, i just found it kinda of weird that you didnt believe in god but you follow up on the comment with scriptural basis. I would just figure that you might at one point did believe in god, correct me if i am wrong, but if it is true i pray that you find your way back to the thing that you might very well know to be the truth and that is Jesus. Be blessed Jorge
It's very sad that we hold these hustlers to upmost esteem. Bishop (I'm) Long, Creflo (Pimp) Dollar, TD (Snake) ,are all the same.
As long as they can keep preying on these hard working educated single black women to keep them in business they will always be hypocrites in these Mega churches. They have no outreach plans for the poor, no teaching to stregnthen marriage, no idea on how to lower crime in our communities. But just keep those pocket books open and look pretty and the men will come. This not the way that church should behave and they all should stop supporting such foolishness.
Forgive this, forgive that, blah blah blah. That is black folks problems these days. We are always turning a blind eye when one of our heroes does some unforgivable crap like this. You don't settle when you are innocent. This is scandalous and Mr. Long should be stripped of all his rights to be a pastor. God will deal with him ,yes, but he needs to be dealt with here.
if the members return to the church, then it is saying they support what he was accused of doing. God fixed it for these things to come to light so you could find a true prophet to lead you. if he did it once, he will do even worser things in the future. he may start to embezzle and then disappear on allll of you! LET HIM GO AND FIND A REAL PROPHET TO LEAD HIS FLOCK. DON'T GO TO HELL LISTENING TO A HIPOCRIT! OPEN UP YOUR EYES AND SEE THE TRUTH FOR WHAT IT IS. do not support this slime ball of a man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ms. Hubbard, I believe if the members stay, it shows their love and support for their leader. Just as my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said " Let he who is WITHOUT SIN cast the first stone". I am by no means stating that the congregation must stay and support Pastor Long. What I am staying is IF they stay its their choice. It is a choice to be made between them and the Lord only. Not based on public worldly opinions. I do not believe it would be wrong if members of New Birth left the church, as stated, it is indeed their choice. Yet, if they choose to stay it only shows love and support for a leader they recognize is a man and is not perfect. None of us is perfect. Christians are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, not because of how good they are and they have earned it. As it is IMPOSSIBLE to earn your salvation. There is only one way and His name is Jesus! I think its important to realize that the bible considers fornication, lying, selfishness, covetousness etc as sin. These are things that many deem as acceptable, still they are indeed sins per the Word of God. Sin is sin, I think its important that we recognize sin as sin and not try to consider one sin more acceptable than others. Rather, show individuals love and encourage them to seek deliverance from whatever sin that has a hold on them. Jesus said ' Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. AND the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" Matt 22:37-39. I think we will be amazed at how REAL LOVE affects individuals.
Be very mindful how you pin a name on your brother sister ; remember the church is there the burden and those who have sinned yet we become so eager to judge ; the word has already judged him , God at this very moment is dealing with him in ways that no man can as we judge him , we have judged ourself , we can easily forgive when his sin is like ours , but when it is not ; they killed CHRIST CAUSE HE SAID HE COULD RISE THE TEMPLE IN THREE DAYS;to the people of that day and time it was a lie ; as we forgive him we are forgive ourselves for believing in man and not the word ; the word is still true , and God can still use him; but we must believe and fellow the word God no matter what ; God has a way of making something good out of what is bad ; that where the hope comes in ; the faith in blessed redemption ; heal our nation lord;heal our minds love forgive all;
This is very shocking to me and I'm not the one to judge. God does the judging. My spirit did not feel any sense of remorse our repentance. Than I felt like his pride is to strong he has done nothing (as far as building mega churchs and congregations) God did that through him. He needs to humble himself and turn back to God. God warns us about the boastful and serving spirit from the pit of hell. If he does not turn back to God his congregation should leave or they will be condemned with him..I will pray for him and his church. Lord have mercy
Christ came because the first man fall short of the glory of God ; we were a born in sin ; no man is good or without sin ,thats why he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities ; the chastisement of our peace was upon him;and with his strips we are healed. He came for all of us , all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God ; how can we get forgiveness if we do not forgive him ; David was a man after Gods own heart and he sinned and him a man put to death ; so what Bible are we fellowing if we do not forgive one another we need Christ and pray the most when we have fall short; he fall weak to whatever we as brothers and sisters in Christ need to pray for him and the accuser that kept so long and just came forward why now when money is tight everywhere and if they are so right why settle for money; sin is sin no matter what degree who can wash us as white as snow but the blood of Jesus ;Eddie will be stronger and wiser now just like Paul who was once Saul ; The bible is a history book of mans spiritual battles and how they repent and turn from their wicked ways ; forgive forgive and pray for our brother ; GOD allowed this to happen to him cause a greater purpose for him that why he allow the light to shine on him that he may be made truly whole ;
Key word they repented and turned back to God.. You are correct we do all sin. But wer turn back with a change of mind (true repentance) had he learned? Will he change? I dont know his personal prayer life but in my spirit I feel he hasn't. I will pray for him.
EJAYWOOD, praise God for Christians who truly believe and receive the gospel of Christ.
Dwayne, I'm not sure how you know if Bishop Long has or has not repent or if he did the things he was accused of. I understand how things "look" but I refuse to judge him on how things look. I will say forgiveness should not be based on whether or not we believe he has repented. God's love is real love. Matthew 6:14 Jesus said "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Like I said I'm not judging he has a boastful spiri like he has built he church by himself that is a house God has built. The other thing is I am not saying he done these things but he was buying therm cars and stuff what put him in an ackward position and because of it many will loose faith or be mislead. That is what he needs to repent for. From reading and seeing his response I do not see or my spirit does not sense repenrance. Thats all but I an not judging we all make mistakes but I personally will not follow someone who does fall but sites not display repentance. I will pray for him cause he is a powerful man of God, God can still us him but he must humble himself.
Im sorry but a inocent man would have not paid millions to his accusers and if he is a man of God and he so annointed why didnt he fight and have faith that God would see him through. Eddie knew if he would have went to trial the evidence against him would have been damaging and public. It dont take much to see this man is guilty and a liar. What is he hiding. He needs to step down
Is anyone really surprise? Christians in the African-American church have been condition to think, to believe, to forgive and to accept wrongness in the church as well as in their communities. It is the reason why pastors, like Long, can be able to remain in the pulpit, ask christians to give their last dime, and never be held accountable for their actions. I am not sorry to say there will always be blind (to the truth), naive ( to reality) and ignorant people who will accept anything and everything in the church because for them it is easier to remain in the dark than to come to the light. It is written in the bible, "My people perish for a lack of knowledge." The only reason officials and trustees are making cuts in Long's salary and firing others is because someone has to pay the settlement.
Christians are the rigtheousness of God in CHRIST JESUS. Because of what Jesus did, not because they earn it and because they are so much better than others. Matthew 7
Do Not Judge
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
You are being duped because you believe the LIE the black churces tell you. You believe that because someone goes to church and can quote a few Bible passages that THAT makes you a good person. In fact, if you are a bad person, the church is the perfect palce to hide. You hear the preacher go on and on about gay people, but there are a lot of closeted gays IN THE CHURCH. WAKE UP PEOPLE! You are being DUPED!
Matthew 7
Do Not Judge
1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
HIDE YA KIDS AND HIDE YA WIFE...AND ESPECIALLY HIDE YA HUSBAND CAUSE THEY RAPIN EVERYBODY OUT HERE
Jeff
"Christianity is under attack in this country and has been for some time."
– Glad to hear that. It's not a bad thing.
"Let me address one thing really quick...you talk about vouchers, but fail to mention that the United States currently ranks 25th in the world in math. Little Johnny is asking if you'd like fries with that because the public education in this country is as poor as it is."
– Agree totally but it's not because "We've become an apathetic nation and revel in our mediocrity." or "That mediocrity is the result of the liberal agenda our government is taking us to." It's because American culture celebrates anything and everything other than those who excel in educational pursuits. If your "liberal agenda" premise were the cause, then why do Hmong and Ja-panese and Chinese heritage children, from very traditional backgrounds do so very well ?
Your post is as pointless as it is absurd.
"Christianity is not being attack the devil is a liar/people today will sue by association,irs is coming after me in 2011 after i left my business partner in 2008 he didnt pay them or others creditors they dont care if you dont owe it they want the money i own another company,a person give me a bad check for 100.00 he got a attoney in n/c trying to sue me for 4000.00 there was no voilation,but everyone i spoke to said it would be cheaper to offer and settlement/he owed the debt he bouced the check, why should i pay,so its about the mighty green but all liars will have their part in the lake of fire,he without sin cast the frist stone
@Jeff
"Christianity is under attack in this country and has been for some time."
– Glad to hear that. It's not a bad thing.
"Let me address one thing really quick...you talk about vouchers, but fail to mention that the United States currently ranks 25th in the world in math. Little Johnny is asking if you'd like fries with that because the public education in this country is as poor as it is."
STOP FOLLOWING FALSE PROPHETS!!!!!!!!!!!
The Bible says, "In the last days, there will be many false prophets.......there will be those who will say, Father we healed the sick in your name, we prophesied in your name and Jesus will say, "depart from me, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness."
Many people believe in forgiveness if the person repents. But the bible does not say there are conditions on forgiveness; however having said this, the ultimate arbiter of our faith is Jesus Christ- he is our example, our saviour, our life, our creed, our God. Any one who says they are perfect in all of their thoughts and actions and motivation, is lying. Even if you look or gaze upon a person for lust, it is sin. This man Long, sinned and it is up to God, who will judge the thoughts and intents of the heart. He who is without sin, just keep on throwing stones until some of them come back to hit you square in the heart.
Paul, I must say it is SUCH A BLESSING to read a comment from a fellow Christian!!!! I must say though, I truly hope those who are throwing the stones stop and that none come back to them.
Be blessed my brother cause ; this a trap that turns one brother against another ; when we turn from our sin the devil is angry and does every thing he can to take you back i believe after this act was done eddie repented years ago ; but the devil came to rob and steal and keep him from reaching the next level in Christ why were they quiet so long