Megachurch pastor accused of forcing boys into sex

[one...two...tree 2,762]

By ERRIN HAINES and GREG BLUESTEIN, Associated Press

Bishop Eddie Long built one of the nation's best-known black megachurches by being an outspoken religious leader who campaigned against same-sex marriage. Now he's preparing to break the silence about accusations that he used jewelry, cars and cash to lure three young men into sexual relationships.

Long, a married father of four, has planned a news conference Thursday to speak about the lawsuits filed this week by the three New Birth Missionary Baptist Church members who say that they were coerced into sexual liaisons by the prominent pastor.

The lawsuits say the young men were 17 or 18 years old at the time, enrolled in New Birth's ministry for teen boys.

A lawyer for Long, who writes books on heterosexual relationships and has strong ties to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s family, adamantly denied the allegations.

B.J. Bernstein, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, said she opened her investigation after getting a call from one of the men. The Associated Press normally does not name people who claim they are victims of sexual impropriety, but Bernstein said all three -- Maurice Robinson, 20, and Anthony Flagg, 21, and Jamal Parris, 23 -- have consented to making their identities public.

Bernstein said she didn't trust local authorities to investigate the claims.

"This is a really large church that's incredibly politically powerful," Bernstein said. "There are pictures of this guy with every politician around. With something this important, how can I trust that word didn't get back to the bishop?"

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[Danno 1,228]

IS this another Anti-Black Anti-Gay story?

[patient2010 93]

[Darnell 8,478]

I keep hearing this quote on the news - pastoral church abuse of 2 young parishoners

and I'm doing a spew take or three, as I'm thinking this is either the wrong combination o words, or is this week's best example of an oxymoron-ish phrase.

Pastoral Church Abuse? ####### is that?

On a whim, I googled it (phrase of 'pastoral church abuse') yesterday. man o man - what a pit of degredation !

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I keep hearing this quote on the news - pastoral church abuse of 2 young parishoners

and I'm doing a spew take or three, as I'm thinking this is either the wrong combination o words, or is this week's best example of an oxymoron-ish phrase.

Pastoral Church Abuse? ####### is that?

On a whim, I googled it (phrase of 'pastoral church abuse') yesterday. man o man - what a pit of degredation !

A Pastoral Church refers to a church that is centered around one particular, charismatic minister. Many of them are also called Mega Churches. They are different from standard churches which relied on congregations formed around a particular denomination (Metholdist, Baptist, Lutheran, etc.).

[alienlovechild 75]

Bishop Eddie Long built one of the nation's best-known black megachurches by being an outspoken religious leader who campaigned against same-sex marriage. Now he's preparing to break the silence about accusations that he used jewelry, cars and cash to lure three young men into sexual relationships.

The lawsuits say the young men were 17 or 18 years old at the time, enrolled in New Birth's ministry for teen boys.

It's all about the bling, Rev.

[HAL 9000 96]

If true... man... that would be ANOTHER sick ####.

[Danno 1,228]

This guy actually (Or ironically) counseled Bill Clinton when he was doing the "repentance and religion" shtick.... after being caught with the Chubby Jewish girl.

[HAL 9000 96]

Courts of law tend to reserve speculation for matters outside the courtroom- like when people make assumptions based on their political hackery, for example.

[trillium13 84]

Another hypocrite mega-church leader? Who'd a thunk it?

Here's what Ted had to say about it:

http://www.ajc.com/news/bishop-eddie-long-ted-619565.html

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

A Pastoral Church refers to a church that is centered around one particular, charismatic minister. Many of them are also called Mega Churches. They are different from standard churches which relied on congregations formed around a particular denomination (Metholdist, Baptist, Lutheran, etc.).

Tolerance these days?

[lostinblue 1,989]

Age of consent is what age? Case Closed. It is a non issue.Had a local female teacher plead guilty to preforming BJ on a 17 year old student in a classroom at high school this week. 6 month probation and the lose of her teaching cert. Non Issue story people.

[Danno 1,228]

Age of consent is what age? Case Closed. It is a non issue.Had a local female teacher plead guilty to preforming BJ on a 17 year old student in a classroom at high school this week. 6 month probation and the lose of her teaching cert. Non Issue story people.

Yeah but this story has the whole "**" and "Anti-** preacher" thing wrapped all around it.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

And now they are Catholic!