ATLANTA (AP) — One of the young men accusing a megachurch pastor of coercing him into a sexual relationship told a TV interviewer he loved the pastor, but nevertheless calls him a “predator.”
Jamal Parris is one of four men suing Bishop Eddie Long, claiming that he abused his “spiritual authority” and gave them cars, clothes, cash and trips to lure them into sexual relationships while they were teen members of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in suburban Atlanta.
Parris told Atlanta’s Fox TV affiliate WAGA that he considers Long a predator who exploited his dreams for a father figure in exchange for sexual favors. The station interviewed Parris in Colorado this week.
Parris’ attorney declined comment. An attorney for Long was not immediately available Tuesday.
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Information from: WAGA-TV, http://www.wagatv.com/index.shtml
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LoneRanger
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 1:26amPeople need to be informed. Visit http://www.homosexuality101.com, http://www.endcensorship.com, http://www.preventhomosexuality.com.
Report Post »azkenreid
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 8:37pmIf he gave the kids gifts (cars, jewelry, trips, etc) then that will come out. There is NO WAY that it can be considered normal, appropriate behavior from a Bishop, Pastor, Preacher, Teacher, Mentor or any other authority figure.
Report Post »thomas
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 8:18pmcarol m i used to agree with you comment, but, if you read the bible closely there is only one unforgivible sin………remember the bible is from God’s point of view……..rejection of the holy spirit. this can only be done upon death.
Report Post »carol m
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 6:32pmAll I can say is if these four boys are proven to be true, I hope the Long guy gets the book thrown at him. I am sorry I can forgive alot of things this is unforgivable.
Report Post »waterwalker
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 4:17pmI think God is sifting the tares from the wheat in our churches. Getting them ready for his return to be a bride without spot or wrinkle.
Report Post »webpreacher
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 4:52pmHey WATERWALKER,
God has been doing that since the day of “Pentecost” ! We learn of many “false Brethren” who have “crept” in, all throughout the Pauline epistles, They will continue to occupy many seats in the Pews & stand behind the “Pulpit”, all throughout the World, and God will continue to expose them and as you said, “weed them out!!
Bruce // servant to King Jesus……….. The Vine, to His the branches, The “Born Again” !!
Report Post »Frog
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 1:07pmAmen!! Thumbs up to Mr. Parris, & the others ,for coming forth. You will save others from this awful crime.Hold your heads up and know that God Loves you . He had a hand in bringing you together, for he knew you would do the right thing and expose this man.Pray for the congregation, that their eyes maybe opened, to his evil & there part in giving him so much power. No Spiritual leader should have so much money to live off of Given to him by his congregation. That money should be used to help his on congregation, when the need arises, to help the needy of the world, & 1st & most important , to aid in the spreading of Gods word to those who have not yet found it. When he is not preaching he should be out working for his on needs. Christ apostles, when not preaching & aiding others, they were at home taking care of their own families needs & fishing etc. to provide for themselves. That is why you hear of so many of these Mega churches leaders falling. We are all human and succeptable to sin, & should not put ourselves in temptations way. Pray for this Bishop to repent that his soul will not be lost. His intentions may have been good at first, So was king Davids. He referred to himself as King David, I can see the resemblance. Idleness is the devils workshop. King David got to big for his own breeches, had plenty of money by his people. Instead of being out leading his men in battle, he was home sleeping in the middle of the day , & arose in the evening , to go out on his roof, (when most men were working or just coming home,) there he saw Bathsheba , who was another mans wife, bathing and watched instead of leaving. You know the rest of the story, where David’s sins with Bathsheba was followed by a series of misfortunes that marred the last 20 years of his life.!!!!! I know God will guide you and give you strength to do what you must do. If the public & court system should fail you, know that you did the right thing and hold your heads up, dust your feet, and know that it will be a witness against those who had the chance to make things right, & didn’t. That you prevented others from this awful sin & let yourselves heal. Know that there are times that the innocent suffer that the wicked may receive their righteous judgement on judgement day & you will be blessed for caring that cross. You are a savior to many and in my prayers!!!
Report Post »RedStateBlues
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 12:47pmHe’s not even a Bishop. He’s given that title to himself. Another religious pig outed for his hypocrisy.
Report Post »coliwood
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 3:42amYou are a liar. He did not give that title to himself. Bishop Eddie Long, received the title as Bishop, from Bishop Paul S. Morton, the founder of the Full Gospel Baptist Fellowship. He was the 2nd presiding Bishop in the denomination. He later left, and started his own group called the “Global Apostolic Council” were he has setup 7 satellite churches and he has helped set up several other pastors, that are not officially in his denomination, but refer to him as their Bishop.
Report Post »AmericanDogMan
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 11:32amTo be politcally incorrect. Whether it’s true or not, the reason for the coverage is his staunch opposal to the normalization of homosexuality.
The Democrats have used Black people for a long time. We however, are a conservative people who are against the normalization of Homosexuality. Homsexuality is a fetish to be kept to oneself if that’s what they choose to do; but should not degrade our society. Bishop Long knew this, he helped people to see that some have an affinity for latex or feet or same gender: born with it or acquired these are lustful things that should not be up for public discussion. He is under attack because he is a bright spot for a people who are used and lied to by progressives.
May he continue to fight and be proud of his charge. Homosexuality is a fetish and should go back to where it came; a personal discreet choice just like bondage. May we as blacks be free and not fall prey to communist. Progressives who hate us and use us as a tool, who are Pro-Choice to see black babies (their undesireables) eugenically irridicated.
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 12:14pmLiving in DeKalb County, where Long’s church is located. I see Blacks hurting Blacks. I see this throughout the school and county leadership hear. Having taught in an all black school being white, I was angered that black adults didn’t want better for their children and that they were going along with the democratic status quo. Long is part of the progressive movement. If he wanted better for the children in his church he would be fighting the County Public School System. Instead he gives school board members contributions and accepts large amounts of money for charter schools housed within the mega-church, as well as graduation services held there.
Long is not a bright spot for Blacks, but works with other Black leaders like Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and others to keep the Black population down and ignorant.
Report Post »webpreacher
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 12:27pmAMERICANDOGMAN,
WHAT ???
What in the world are you talking about,, what you have written is nonsensical, The reason why the Eddie Long fellow, is being covered is that ,if it is true (yet to be determined in a court of Law), then it makes him, first of all a hypocrite, and second a predator. Hypocrite, for his ever being behind the Pulpit, (preaching who knows what?), and hypocrite for speaking against Homosexuality !!
Again, all allegation of wrong doing, are as yet to be proven in a court of Law..we’ll see?
Bruce // servant to King Jesus…………………….. God’s Christ!
Report Post »dmforman
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 9:15amA fair trial will never be gotten for these men, if left in our county and maybe even our state. Long has too many ties to the community by donating to GA state and county politicians, county school board members and because of the large number of church members. I can easily see a hung jury as what happened in the Blagojevich trial in Illinois. This church, “minister,” and politics run very deep. This man has a great deal of power and is or at least feels that he is above the law. It’s very scary.
I feel for these men, as the Bishop has not said that he has not done this to the men. I believe that he knows he is going to get away with it. The men who have accused him, will be made to look like fools. You can see the pain in their eyes when they talk about it. Something not kosher happened.
Report Post »AmericanDogMan
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 11:37amSomething unkosher did happen, he believed in trying to help homosexual males be in line with christ and maybe rebuke the spirit. I can see how if unsuccessful that can be hurtful. To feel isolated because your not in line with christ; as many an alchololic or drug abuser are not in line. I pray for the accusers who are after the paycheck.
JMO and please forgive spelling errors
Report Post »webpreacher
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 12:13pmGreetings, DMFORMAN,
Eddie Long (I refuse to refer to him as pastor), WILL NOT, get a way with anything, for GOD KNOW, the heart of ALL men!!
Bruce // servant to King Jesus……………………….. God’s provision for redemption!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 9:15amI do find it difficult to believe that a 17 or 18 year old man can be coersed in to sex with another man against his will. On the other hand, I watched Long Sunday morning and he did not flatly deny anything. The people in this congregation need our prayers.
Report Post »FieryRed
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 9:31amGonzo, they were younger than 17/18 when they say the bishop started the abuse.
Report Post »I have to say, I can understand this guy might be innocent if it was 1 or 2 kids alleging this, but FOUR? I wonder how many more might come forward.
When I saw how the church reacted to Long’s denial of this~it made me sick. Yes innocent until proven guilty, but when it comes to children being abused~you better wait until the verdict comes until you give this guy a freakin standing ovation!!!
BrothersKeeper
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 9:10amI just pray that the church as a whole gets there stuff together. Kick the carnal junk out and really start doing the work of the Lord. When it comes down to it, looks like other religions are gaining ground while were losing ground with stuff like this.
Report Post »cranes
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 8:39amIf the Bishop is proven not guilty, I want to see as much coverage showing that he is not guilty as they seem to want to have on the accusations.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on September 29, 2010 at 9:11amAmen.
Report Post »coliwood
Posted on September 30, 2010 at 3:27amOH, God yes, I have been saying the same thing. The Media has gone out of their way to portray him as a predator, as if he is already guilty. And the sad thing is, if he is innocent, you won’t hear a peep other than, “he bought his innocence”.
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