1 Boring Old Man

Bishop Eddie Long: Preaching amid abuse charges
^{While in the throes of child rape allegations, the pastor delivers sermons to wild crowds}
Salon
By GREG BLUESTEIN
October 3, 2010

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."

Long told supporters at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church that he is "not going to be pulled into a street fight" and that he doesn’t hate anyone. But he directed his listeners to turn to a passage in the Book of Job that read: "Those who hate you will be clothed with shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more." As his devoted flock cheered, Long joked that he accidentally led them to the wrong page. "That was the Holy Ghost," he said, flashing a smile as the sanctuary echoed with laughter.

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…

New Birth services back to normal
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution 
By Shelia M. Poole
October 3, 2010

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 . Long and the megachurch have been sued by four young men who allege the prominent pastor coerced them into sexual relations. Near  the end, however, he mentioned that a church mother told him that he had to be the most "prayed for person in the world." He said she  reminded  him to also pray for himself. It was unclear if that was a direct reference to the scandal.

He talked to the congregation about prayer and said that "God is listening for your sound." He talked a bit about what Sundays were like growing up,  with his  family  praying  before going to  services. He also spoke about challenges either weakening or strengthning one’s faith. If  you  never has a challenge, Long  said, you never know how faithful you are. He also spoke about being strong in your declaration and affirmation when seeking God’s ear and seeking change in your life…

For a time, I tried to keep my aversion to megachurch pastors who wear diamond rings and drive Bentley’s  separate from my thoughts about whether Eddie Long was a pedophile. It’s not working for me. I think Eddie is guilty. It changed when I watched the Jamal Parris interview – reluctantly given outside a convenience store in Colorado Springs. The things he said and the way he said them were exactly the things I’ve heard when I’ve interviewed known victims. So, for me, it’s not "who-done-it?" it’s "he-done-it." Some evangelists get away with such things – Paul Crouch, Jan Crouch, Earl Paulk, – others smolder along – Ted Haggard, Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart. Eddie Long seems to think he’s going to beat the rap altogether. I kind of doubt it. Too much Hubris.

The Bishop made a dramatic much-hyped appearance Sunday at his mega-church with the world watching and the huge crowd cheering his every breath. He never actually denied the allegations, stating that he was under attack, and felt like David against Goliath. Goliath later told his story late at night in the dark parking lot of a 24 hour store.