"Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm" (Psalm 105:15)
(Aside: For
those twenty-five years, the hypocrisy never stopped; e.g., his "work
in fighting the spread of HIV/AIDS" still toed the Southern Baptist
Convention line in pointedly NOT ministering to gays. This is something
I've had personal experience with: as a volunteer for the AIDS
Emergency Fund, I saw the result of Long's "faith-based" work, and it
wasn't pretty. Let's just say that the people who came to San
Francisco, were hoping that it would be better than the hell Southern
Baptists were making for them while they were SICK AND DYING!! Check it
out. And while you're at it, see if you can find Rick Warren's name in
any list of faith-based AIDS agencies. I'm just sayin').
"Dr."
"Rev." and "Bishop" are among the most automatically revered titles a
person can have in America. Eddie Long uses them with abandon: the
"Dr." comes from a degree in Pastoral Ministry from the International College of Excellence.
(Unfortunately, The ICE was founded by Robb Thompson, whose own
"doctorate" is questionable - televangelists take care of their own, it
seems). The title of "Bishop", however, is even sketchier: since the
Southern Baptist Convention supposedly has no hierarchy other than
deacon and pastor, it's hard to find out WHO made him "Bishop." If
James Manning of ATLAH Ministries* could give himself a doctorate, why
not a title of "Bishop" for Long? In addition: the title of "Bishop"
connotes authority of a group of ministers and churches. Which local
churches have given pastoral sway to Long?
This
entire scenario may yet prove to people that in the realm of American
religion, titles are almost worthless and scrutiny is very important.
The idea that one can't question "a man of God," no longer holds true.
America should have learned its lesson with Bakker, Swaggart, Haggard,
Rekers, and all the Catholic clergy with "Fr." or "Rev." in front of
their names. If Terry Jones had not an "Rev." or "Dr." (he used both)
in front of his name, he might have burned a thousand Qurans with only
his flock of 50 in attendance.
But the trust in titles, the unearned respect to "men of God," is too difficult to erase. Watch the HERE video featuring unbelieving church members when questioned about Long. (NOTE:
all videos of news coverage have been disabled for embedding and New
Birth Missionary Baptist Church's website has been taken down. The ABC
News item also includes pictures that Long sent to the two young men -
pictures taken in his bathroom, and of course, of his muscles)
So
my last question about all of this: who's to blame for this scandal? Of
course, Long probably bears the brunt of it all, and the charges
against him might even be a bit exaggerated. But the real blame goes to
his congregation, those poor church members seemingly kept in the dark.
Yes, the blame rests upon them because they had been warned about Long
and the way his wealth was questioned.** Unrelated? Not really: if they
had done some due diligence on his finances, they might have uncovered
the "gifts" and the incomes he gave to the young men.
It's
time for people of faith not to place too much "faith" in titles.
Rooting through your pastor's past and finances is not a sin. Asking
him to be accountable isn't either.
* "Dr." "Rev." James Manning is the head of the Harlem congregation who hoped Pres. Obama would die. He often calls Obama, "The Long-legged Mack Daddy." He became "born again" while serving a prison term for armed burglary. The "Seminary" he founded has one project called The Witch Doctor Project Exposing the Magnificent Seven - Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Bill Clinton, T.D. Jakes, Louis Farrakan, Don King, and Cornell West, the American witch doctors.
** Click here for a copy of the letter sent to "Bishop" Eddie Long from Senator Chuck Grassley inquiring about Long's finances.
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