Bishop Eddie Long accused of sexual coercion by two young men
September 21, 2010
by Robert Hasan James
CNN has reported that prominent Atlanta pastor, Bishop Eddie Long, has been accused by two young men from his congregation of sexual coercion. The suit was filed on Tuesday in Dekalb County, Georgia and it claimed that Long used his spiritual authority to trick the men, 20 and 21 into performing sexual acts with him. The claim went on to say that Anthony Flagg, 21, went on numerous overnight trips and over a half dozen cities in recent years.
Long spokesman Art Franklin said Tuesday that “We categorically deny the allegations.” “It is very unfortunate that someone has taken this course of action,” he said. “Our law firm will be able to respond once attorneys have had an opportunity to review the lawsuit.”
“Long shared a bedroom and engaged in intimate sexual contact with plaintiff Flagg including kissing, massaging, masturbating of plaintiff Flagg by defendant Long and oral sexual contact,” the suit says. With regards to the second plaintiff, Maurice Murray Robinson, 20, he claims that Long took him to New Zealand for his 18th Birthday, where the two engaged in oral sex. In a strange twist, Robinson was arrested and charged in June for breaking into Long’s church office allegedly as revenge.
I will say this, Eddie Long is innocent until proven guilty so please do not be so quick to judge. Secondly, as a journalist with Christian values, I do not just want to report the news but I am compelled to pray that these allegations are false. Let’s face it, Bishop Eddie Long is one of the most powerful pastors in America and has one of the largest congregations. Large congregations equal money. Just like Michael Jackson was a meal ticket for over-extending himself at times, the same could be true for Bishop Long. We are dealing with spiritual wickedness in high places either way you slice it so let’s just pray for all parties involved and leave the rest up to the legal system and God.
Bishop Eddie Long is the Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia which has over 25,000 members.
