ATLANTA (AP) — Two men have filed a lawsuit accusing Bishop Eddie Long of exploiting his role as pastor of an Atlanta-area megachurch to coerce them into sexual relationships when they were young members of his congregation.
AP
Lawyers for the men, now 20 and 21, say they filed the lawsuit on Tuesday in DeKalb County Court. The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they were victims of sexual impropriety.
Craig Gillen, Long’s attorney, said Tuesday the pastor “categorically denies the allegations.”
“We find it unfortunate that these two young men would take this course of action,” Gillen said, adding that Long had not yet been served with copies of the lawsuits.
The men were 17- and 18-year-old members of Long’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, when they say Long abused his spiritual authority to seduce them with with cars, money, clothes, jewelry, international trips and access to celebrities.
B.J. Bernstein, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said that when the relationships started, the plaintiffs were past the legal age of consent in Georgia, which is 15.
“Defendant Long has utilized his spiritual authority to coerce certain young male members … into engaging in sexual acts and relationships for his own personal sexual grafitication,” the lawsuits read.
When asked about a possible motive for the accusations, Gillen referred to a break-in at Long’s office in June.
Bergstein said one of the plaintiffs is facing a criminal burglary charge in the incident. She said the break-in was a way of lashing out at Long.
Bernstein said she contacted the U.S. Attorney‘s Office earlier this month when she became aware of the young men’s allegations. She did not know what action, if any, the agency planned to take.
Orzy Theus, a spokesman for the DeKalb County district attorney’s office, said she was not aware on Tuesday of an investigation in that office related to the allegations.
Long was appointed pastor of New Birth in 1987. Then, the church had about 150 members. Less than four years later, the church had grown to more than 8,000 members, many of whom reside in DeKalb County, home to many affluent African-Americans. Athletes and entertainers claim membership at the church, and among its prominent clergy is the Rev. Bernice King, the youngest daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Today, New Birth sits on 250 acres and has more than 25,000 members, a $50 million, 10,000-seat cathedral and more than 40 ministries — including the Longfellows Youth Academy, a tuition-based program for young men 13 to 18.
___
Online:
http://www.newbirth.org
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alshere
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 2:02amWhat will the comics do with this? He‘s not a priest so it isn’t a way to jab at the pope.
Report Post »politicaljules
Posted on September 23, 2010 at 1:34amI dont know if it is true or not, but my intuition says this is more attempts to deconstruct religion. It is the progressive plan and it started with the Catholic church. The progressives are more than evil and have judges on their side.
We are in a sad sad state people and days like this make me fear we will never recover.
Report Post »trigg
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:25pmQuestion: How does God loose most of his followers?
Report Post »Answer: Through organized religion!
Desma
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 1:57pmAll a person has to do to be able to discern if a man is truly ordained and anointed by God to be a “servant” is realize any man who preaches tithing and loves titles before their names is a hireling and false sheperd. People do not read their bibles and they look to man and worship a false image of God, a golden calf. I am happy that God is not only exposing the corruption in our government but the wickedness and evil in organized religeon. It never shakes my faith when I see these corrupt men, destitute of the faith, reprobabes, finally being uncovered. All the TBN preachers (Tower of Babel Network) will be exposed in due season. A true servant of God does not twist scripture to get “tithes and offerings” and love to be seen of man. The lust of the flesh and the lust of the eye and the pride of life is not of the Father but of the world. Praise God for exposing the reprobates.
Report Post »OkieDokie
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:25pmthis reminds me when the flight attendant sued Victoria Osteen for assulting her. (http://www.monstersandcritics.com/people/news/article_1424122.php/Victoria_Osteen_wins_lawsuit_tria) and she was cleared. Okay, so one of these guys break in to the office to lash out–so why didn’t they just blackmail him?? they already supposedly got gifts, trips and cars. I had listened to Bishop Long in the past–and if this is true it’s heartbreaking.
Report Post »pilgrim2497
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:53pmIf you TRULY listened to these proud and perverse prosperity punks; you would not be surprised and heartbroken. Rather, you would assume this kind of behavior from them.
Anyone who will pervert the Word of God, will have no trouble perverting everything else.
My prayer is for the multitudes betrayed and misled by such people.
Report Post »Mikee T
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 10:43amI will say this… I know and have observed many “pastors” that veil themselves under the Lord’s word and have mendacious ways about them……. I wouldn‘t say that I believe he absolutely didn’t do it, although I am certainly not absolving these two plaintiffs for stealing, if that is the case. There are many baptist ministers out there that use there congregations (and the vast amounts of money the receive) that are doing much more than preaching the word of the Lord….it’s big business, in some cases. They are professionals at avoiding taxes as well….I’ve witnessed it, personally.
Report Post »megansmom
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 10:31amAdd your comments
Report Post »megansmom
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 10:31amThis is definitely a he said he said situation. It‘s funny they didn’t charge him until after one of the two was arrested for burglary.but then again maybe they didn’t want to be embarrassed or were afraid to.
Report Post »All I know is Christ died for all 3 of these folks so they could all be forgiven all their sins. The rest is between the preacher, the boys and the court.
besides in this country your innocent until proven guilty.
pilgrim2497
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 10:28amZEPH 3:4 Her prophets are light and treacherous persons: her priests have polluted the sanctuary, they have done violence to the law.
Report Post »unionrockstar
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 10:00amNo need to preach;
Report Post »We are not going to convert anyone on site like this
People watch for changed lives……..they can’t see that here
DHD
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 9:51amI wouldn’t assume anything in this case yet. It is alleged. Maybe it happened maybe it didn’t. Does it destroy my faith? Of course not. Being a Believer does not bind your free will. Anybody can sin. Even Peter lied 3 times after seeing Jesus with his own eyes preform miracles. At my age, nothing surprises me anymore. The whole world can go crazy but it does NOT change my belief in Jesus Christ. It is not about how good “Christians” can be, it is about Jesus and Him alone. I am always amused by non-believers who look at you and say…what about that? As well, I am amused by believers who will make excuses for “famous” preachers. Here is the bottom line. Forget about them and follow Mark 12:30-31.
Report Post »pro1822
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 9:33amAs someone who has been falsely accused before I will hold my tongue…for now.
Report Post »DRAIN_THE_CESSPOOL
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 9:39amAgreed. This is all alleged.
Report Post »OkieDokie
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:27pmDitto
Report Post »AsianForTeaPartyConservative
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 3:12amWe need to find a way to identify Homos and Phidos. There’s got to be a sign by which we can tell if a person is **** or Phido. We have to protect our children from Sodom and Gomorra. This guy has camouflage himself very well within the Church, but like all sin, it finally caught up with him.
Report Post »tepartyblog.info
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:31amYes, lets also prosecute people based on what we think they will do. If only we had a psychic or a Rosetta stone for the human genome that could predict the perpetrators of crimes. That sounds like a good movie.
Report Post »WISEPENNY
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 8:35amSounds to me like you have already decided the man is definitely guilty. Here is a little of your own medicine for you: I think there should be a “sign” we can put on all TeaPartyPhobes who are really infiltraters of the Tea Party with the intent to make them look bad. Take your screen name, for instance, would make people think you are a real “T-Party Patriot” to the undiscerning eye. But a closer look at you with your biased rhetoric posting tells me that you are a “liberal in a Tea Partyer’s clothing.” How do you plea? Nevermind, we pronounce you totally guilty already.
Report Post »tepartyblog.info
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 9:03am@WISEPENNY “The “faithful” are posting here, and I believe you just jumped into the “idiots and fools” category with your post.” Sounds to me as if your saying that only someone of a faith has a valid opinion on any faith. When I read this I thought it was the sarcasm of a troll. Your response to AsianForTeaPartyConservative seems to indicate you think its OK to condemn simply because they disagree with you on something. I could argue that this is the strong arm approach a liberal would take. As someone that supports the TEA party movement I welcome liberal leaning people. How else are they going to to learn the values of personal responsibility and the freedom it provides.
Report Post »scaanderson
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 1:23amIf this is true, it’s just such a shame and another reason other countries think Christianity is so unGodly. Too many gays and child molesters in disguise making Christianity look fake.
Report Post »Patriotbeliever
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 2:07amIts Satans influence on them. Let us prey for them.
Report Post »pidu87
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:57amHAHA so him allegedly engaging in homosexual activity would also make him for gay-marriage? Wolf you are a D-Bag.
Report Post »Austin from BOSTON
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:51amI APOLOGIZE, AT-70-DIABETIC-TIRED-& VISION-PROBLEMS-(reasons fo Bold-Type) I MEANT- EVERY-RACE-COLOR-& CREED(THANK-YOU-BLAZE- i-looked-it-UP.>>>>>>
Report Post »MrButcher
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:42ami’m very surpised the faithful are not posting here. is it the race factor?—-look, bad people do bad things. it doesn’t matter what “faith” they cliam to belong to. faith is a mask for hiding true intent and then justifing that intent with “original sin”—dont you get it? christian dogma enables idiots to gain power. it is worse than progressivism. tyranny is, by definition, religion and govt. SEPERATE AND EQUAL. nonetheless, tyranny.—-we need to rebel against both government and religion. for both breed idiots and fools,
Report Post »nsblues
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 1:31amGuessing it has more to do with the time the article was posted. It will pick up steam tomorrow. Don’t know anything about this guy, but he is innocent until proven guilty… or at least he should be.
Report Post »thegr8restoration
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 2:05amWell mrbutcher if it turns out the Rev. is guilty of these aligations I will be the first to pray for his redemtion. Now I beleive you do not understand the concept of faith. Faith is not a religion, nor is it something people hide behind. It is true that many people have and are using religion to con the hopless and downtroden. I have FAITH that those who prey on the faithfull will be brought to justice. To have faith in something greater than than your self does not make you an idiot. To have faith in God, family, friends, mankind, and USA is a wonderfull and deeply personal act. In fact religion in all its formes has always been a more positive driving force in human history than negative. Without faith in something there is no hope, without hope for something better than “this” who is going to care.
Report Post »tepartyblog.info
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:19am@MrButcher An anarchist rears his head. I don’t follow any religion but as long as a religion does not run the state you are free to leave it. Religion in a free nation is a form of self governance. No one can make you follow one.
Report Post »WISEPENNY
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 7:36amThe “faithful” are posting here, and I believe you just jumped into the “idiots and fools” category with your post.
Report Post »rocktruth
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 9:13amMrButcher, you have interesting conclusion but you‘re assuming that the redeeming power of Jesus Christ doesn’t truly change people’s lives. I am witness to God’s power and to many miracles of people’s lives being changed from a radical wicked life style. But regardless, people are sinners and sinners will sin.
To say that some people are bad and others are good is a lie. All people are bad and do bad things, some worse than others. That’s why we need rules. But rules become a problem too because we can’t keep all of them and they end up dividing us. This is why God sent His son, to fulfill the perfect law, because we could not, and He died as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. The resurrection of Jesus proved who He claimed to be “The Messiah” and that His sacrifice was acceptable to God for the atonement of man (all people). But most important, if anyone turns to God and receives this truth as their own by faith, God will keep them for eternity.
But I can almost agree with you about the problems government & religion cause. But see, it’s not about any religion. It’s all about a relationship with God and serving Him first, which gives us the ability to love other people the right way. This law is most rebelled against. Which is to ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
“Anyone who rebels against ‘God’s Law’ creates BIGGER Government and Institutionalized Religion”
The bible says “You shall be perfect just as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). Don’t be like hypocrites or religious Pharisees who wear mask and appear to look good on the outside. The only way to be perfect with God is to be in Christ by receiving Him personally as your own on a daily basis. It’s not about ritual exercises in temples or buildings made with hands, even though sometimes it can be. Your body is God’s temple, and His temple is made so that His spirit can live inside of you. Manmade or Institutionalized religion separates & divides. But the fruit of God’s spirit is Love & peace. Sin destroys & divides.
I am not saying that we shouldn’t come together to pray & worship in a building, or that we won’t find godly teachers, mentors, and Shepard’s in church bodies today. But human leaders & organizations will eventually always let you down. “The church” means “God’s People” not the building they assemble in.
Real life example: http://www.oregonlive.com/O/index.ssf/2009/04/when_the_people_are_the_church.html
So “Anyone who rebels against ‘God’s Laws’ creates BIGGER Government and Institutionalized Religion”
Violations against God’s laws are an act of rebellion & ignorance. This is the main cause large and powerful government institutions. We know power corrupts which continues in a vicious circle, hence, making new laws against corruption which generates more power in government. And this is what makes the U.S.A. special. We have checks and balances of power, in which we attempt to hold everyone accountable. But like Ronald Regan said “Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.” The problem is our rebellion against God which decreases our safety and happiness.
This is why we should serve our Creator and not man. Man’s power corrupts because all men are sinners and will only generate more rebellion. Very simple, If we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
God’s laws were created to keep us safe. It’s all about our safety which directly effects our happiness. The only reasonable answer is to turn back to God and reduce Government.
Jesus Christ did not come to make a religion. The result of man’s religious organized efforts will eventually become an institutionalized system, like a government, and will end up taking away liberties by the division of people (Racism). Messiah came to repair what was lost, which is the separation of God and man. Christ came to restore the separated spirit of God back into the temple of man.
It’s not about a type of religion or practice. It’s all about a relationship of love so we may know and experience love. The same thing every person wants and needs.
Again, the only reasonable answer is to turn back to God and reduce Government.
Report Post »rocktruth
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:31am“The plaintiffs is facing a criminal burglary charge in the incident. ”
This is no brainer. I hope the thieves come clean and confess up.
Thank you WISEPENNY for this video:
Report Post »http://youtu.be/kkHrFb94N1Y
Austin from BOSTON
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:29amAdd your comments
Report Post »tepartyblog.info
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:14amWhy do we need to be told to add comments?
Report Post »Austin from BOSTON
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:27amTHE-1st.SHALL BE LAST & THE LAST SHALL BE FIRST *** I’LL BE WELL-PLEASED-* BEHIND- GLEN-BECK- THE ENTIRE- 2ND-TEA-PARTY MOVEMENT OF EVERY,COLOR & CREED & POPES-BEHIND-US-WE-THE-PEOPLE, WE-ARE-FREE-NO-CHARGE-BEEN-PAID-IN-BLOOD=
Report Post »Amen For ALL-BELIEVERS>>>>***undercover-agent-for-CHRIST-NO-FRAUDS-ALLOWED-EVER.>
shotgun
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:23amVery frustrating how people misuse their position to abuse people.
Report Post »The liberal / socialist resolve would be to outlaw pastors.
grandmaof5
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 6:29amYou’re telling me that at age 17 and 18 these “men” could be coerced? How ’bout did no one noticed, “cars, money, clothes, jewelry, international trips and access to celebrities”? I am all for equal punishment and, if he is guilty, send it on, but doesn’t this seem a bit far-fetched? Is this a “get even”, or is he a member of the Black Robe Brigade and the left is starting trouble? If these boys are making false accusations I hope they will be punished to the full extent of the law. Smear tactics, no matter whom they are against, are out of hand.
Report Post »WISEPENNY
Posted on September 22, 2010 at 12:12amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkHrFb94N1Y&feature=related
Report Post »