Bishop Eddie Long

Sex Scandal Rocks the Black Church?

Publish Date: 09/29/2010

Bishop Eddie Long is currently under suspicion for allegations of sexual misconduct. The suit against the bishop has been brought on by three young men who accused Bishop Long of coercing them to having sex with the bishop when the young men (a total of three) were only 15 years old, according to CBS News. Bishop Long has quickly defended these allegations and has promised to fight them in court. In an address to his congregation at his church, New Birth, Long spoke to thousands of his devoted followers concerning the growing sex scandal involving the young men. Bishop Long spoke passionately about the sex scandal and what he attended to do to quickly resolve this matter. No media coverage was present in this address to Bishop Long's members, and many critics of Bishop Long believe that he is not telling the whole truth of what happened between him and those young men, according to various online reports.

The sex scandal involving the young men include allegations that Bishop Long used his pastoral authority to buy the young men lavish gifts and take them on expense trips, according to CBS News. Recently, a fourth young man has come out to speak against Bishop Long claiming he was also coerced into having sex with the bishop. All men, now in their 20's, were 15 years old when the alleged sexual misconduct took place. Due to the fact that Georgia's consent law begins at 15, there will not be any criminal charges filed against the famed minister. The outcome of this case is pending but many feel that these allegations have hurt the bishop's overall appeal, creditability, and trust amongst the people. One Savannah, Georgia woman stated that, "People will not ever be able to trust him again. He has destroyed the very fabric of the black church". So I ask this question to our readers. Do you think that Bishop Eddie Long's sex scandal has destroyed the very fabric of the Black Church? And If so, in what way has these alleged sex scandals destroyed the fabrics of the black church?  Let's discuss.

Sources:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/26/national/main6902021.shtml

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/22/national/main6890214.shtml

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-20018113-504083.html