This past week the Black Church has been rocked by the accusations of sexual cohesion and misconduct by Atlanta based Pastor Bishop Eddie Long. The accusations are beginning uncover even deeper and darker revelations of cohesion, lavish spending, and possible cover-ups by New Birth Baptist Church officials. One must ask if accusations like those against Bishop Long are more common than we think in the black community. The fourth accuser of Eddie Long, a Charlotte, NC native and former member of Eddie Long’s Church to date has been the only accuser to publicly comment on the alleged abuse by Eddie Long. The young man now in his twenty’s cites trips, gifts and other benefits all handed out by Long in return for sexual favors.
What does this mean for the Christian faith in Urban America? One of the most notable names in ministry has been accused of sexual abuse and misconduct. Do these accusations discredit the Christian faith among African American Church goers? How do these accusations, true or not affect your view of Pastors with the power and resources to facilitate this type of behavior alleged by Eddy Long? In the Catholic Church, this type of behavior has been brushed under the rug for years. Are the same types of behavior being facilitated and covered up within the highest ranks of the Black Church?
We must ask ourselves these questions because the black church has been the cornerstone of the urban communities where African Americans dominate in population. These allegations have the potential to discredit one of the oldest institutions among African Americans, and what is now the Mega Church. It is important to note, Bishop Long has yet to publicly deny any of the allegations against him. In fact his responses to the accusations have been classic “Church”. You must give the man credit for sticking to the script. The usage of words and phrases like “I’m going to run on…” meaning to continue to be the person that I am in spite of the demonic forces that are fighting against me. And according to his rights, he should. Bishop Long is innocent until proven guilty. However the fact still remains that there are many questions yet to be answered by the Bishop. Having not made and strong declarative refuting the accusations against him makes us wonder. Could a man of Bishop Long’s status just be, a Wolf in Preachers Clothing?
No comments:
Post a Comment