DC area pastors react to Eddie Long sex abuse allegations

"But Rev. Dwayne Johnson, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of Washington, said "The issue here is not homosexuality. Some will try to make it that. It is not the issue the issue is sexual abuse and abuse of religious power. The number one concern needs to go to the victims they need support from their community that should be the first concern." Thank you Rev. Dwayne Johnson, whoever you are. Unfortunately, when people are in "group think" and have forfeited their ability to think critically and rationally they fail to recognize that they are as guilty as the Jews 2000 years ago who begged for the crucifixation of Yahshua and the release of a known criminal Barrabus. History does indeed repeat itself. The members of New Birth will no doubt crucify these now 4 young men who I commend for having the courage to come forward with these allegations. For those that need scripture "out of the mouths of two or three witnesses, let EVERY matter be established" (Deut 19:15; 2 Corin 13:1 and 1 Tim 5:19) - these members were owed more from so-called Bishop Eddie Long than a carefully crafted statement from his attorneys. Whatever happened to, I'm innocent of these allegations? which he craftily did not say! This is a wake-up call to all who continue to worship these fleshly men instead of their heavenly father who is spirit (2 Corin 3:17). We are suppose to be glorifying Yahshua (the holy spirit) in our hearts and minds and not some imposter in a pull-pit pulling you into a pit of destruction right along with him! All the parents who had young men in this congregation had better be giving an open ear to their sons because I'm certain there are more victims than just these 4. Let's keep in mind that statistically men rarely tell when they've been molested because of the stigma attached to this as CNN's Don Lemon so eloquently revealed on air about his own experience over the weekend. So when everyone is rushing to comfort so-called Bishop Eddie Long - if he's a true minister of the Most High El he has a comforter in him - if not, let him stand and face his accusers. But please do not forget to comfort the victims who for no amount of monies would put themselves through what is certain to be a crucifixation of their own characters.

The link from the "On Faith" page has an Elizabeth Tenety byline. They couldn't get her piece on polygamy off fast enough without making errors.

What he did not say was that "I did not do this". I think at the very least that should of been said.

GREED IS GOOD. Ask Rev. Ike. This is a sinister Tea Party plot to defame Jeremiah, Al, Jesse, Louis, Eddie, ACORN, and, Black Panthers. Blame Bush! Surely, Robinson will expand/expound in his column. Besides, don't ask, don't tell.

The preacher steroid brother seems to be on the DL...

HAIL, MISSNOLA...I just loved your reasoning and blog...very timely and most appropriate. Who is ministering to the 4 young men?

Being a teacher or a preacher is becoming a dangerous profession. Today's spoiled youth just can't handle anything especially rejection. 80% of the allegations turn out to be false yet the damage is done. Anyone filing a false report should serve 5 years. No ands ifs or buts.

Integrity in the pulpit is one of the most critical issues in religion today. "bishop Long" did not deny the allegations as anyone who is not guilty would have done. He and many, many other leaders of mega-churches are simply in the religion business for the money. Look at the rantings of some of these people who would have us believe they are morally pure.
The Roman Catholic Church has been hiding an protecting sexual deviants and allowing victims to go untreated. Islamic leaders have inflicted untold atrocities on women and some men by imposing laws that have no foundation in the Koran.

EDDIE LONG NEEDS TO STEP DOWN AND STOP THE STONEWALLING

Based on what we already know as of 09/27/2010 -- Eddie Long, a married man with four children, sent from his private hotel bathroom -- pictures of himself in a tight and sexually suggestive body suit to at least one of the alleged victims. Now, one has to ask -- why would a married man with four kids send sexually suggestive poses of himself to young men? MRS. LONG -- DO YOU KNOW WHO MAY HAVE BEEN SLEEPING WITH YOUR HUSBAND? The problem with this whole sordid mess is that we have seen this movie before. A big-time evangelist crusades against Gays and we find that he has a secret -- he is Gay.

The problem with Eddie Long's defense of himself is that he has yet to come out personally and state emphatically on the record thta he DID NOT COMMIT THESE SEXUAL ACTS. He had a chance to do that on several occasions -- but has chosen to hide behind his powerful position and attorneys. Eddie Long knew of this story's negative potential well over two weeks ago, but waited until it hit the Internet and airwaves -- and still he has said nothing other than hide behind a lawyer's statement and a Church paid spokespersons.

Mr. Long, please be careful when you tell your attorneys to let the people know that your accusers are trying to extort you out of money or this is nothing more than a shakedown. For someone who is on the record as to performing weekly entertainment stunts to entice people to throw money at your feet is a little bit over the top. According to a CNN Report in 2005 -- your foundation which your Church created, paid you over $3 million in compensation; while at the same time you and your family are receiving additional millions in stipends, financial investment compensations, and property investments in the US and overseas. But the majority of the 25,000 members have to struggle to pay their mortgage or go into foreclosure because they were led to believe the LIE EDDIE LONG CONTINUES TO POSTULATE THAT GOD WANTS THEM TO GIVE MONEY TO HIM IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PROSPER. Sounds like something P.T. Barnum invented.

The New Birth Church Board of Directors/Advisory Board, whose members include Dekalb County Sheriff, Thomas Brown, who by the way refuses to recue himself from the case because of an obvious CONFLICT OF INTEREST, gave Eddie Long additional travel and miscellaneous expense accounts which the members of New Birth Baptist Church are not even aware of. Eddie Long and the The Board are operating a RELIGIOUS PONZI SCHEME - pure and simple.

Eddie Long needs to TRULY EXPRESS GODLY REPENTENCE openly before his congregation and CONFESS HIS SINS in specific detail as the Bible clearly tells us to do. Eddie Long, You Are Not Above or Equal to Jesus Christ. You have no problem telling other people to REPENT -- but your PRIDE and ARROGANCE refuses to allow you to HUMBLE yourself and truly practice what the Bible REALLY teaches about REPENTENCE. You should step asid

How did he become a "Bishop"?
A "Bishop" of what? Sounds as phony as "KWANZA" to me.

The sex life details of Elena Kagan and John Roberts are not published because they are not relevant to the work they perform.

How are the Bishop's sex life details relevant to the work he does?

The sex life details of Elena Kagan and John Roberts are not published because they are not relevant to the work they perform.

How are the Bishop's sex life details relevant to the work he does?

Posted by: blasmaic | September 27, 2010 3:43 PM
Report Offensive Comment
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Because the Bible says so. Kagan and Roberts are secular judges. Long's livelihood is based on an attempt to be righteous.

Having said that, the Bible says "Judge not lest ye be judged in like manner", so lets all just wait for the evidence (or lack thereof) before condemning either party in this lawsuit.

Bishop Don Juan is probably jealous. Bishop Long is big pimpin.

Being a teacher or a preacher is becoming a dangerous profession. Today's spoiled youth just can't handle anything especially rejection. 80% of the allegations turn out to be false yet the damage is done. Anyone filing a false report should serve 5 years. No ands ifs or buts.

Posted by: askgees | September 27, 2010

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Do you consider resisting sexual advances as "being spoiled"? What is your source for the 80% claim? I think you just want to cover all this up and let the victims suffer.

Will that other bogus "bishop," Henry Jackson, be outed next?

It is naive to believe all the sex allegations against preachers these days,though some preachers are really guilty.There is much truth in what ASKGEES has commented above.

The truth will come out,follow the paper trail's, I am sure that if this happened their is one.the Truth will be come out.

As a gay man who has seen much of this type of "Down Low" behavior first hand I can tell you this. Straight men do not take pictures of themselves wearing sexually suggestive outfits in the mirror, then send (text) that photo to other men. From the 3 "self portraits" floating around online I can tell you one thing most definitely - This self proclaimed "Bishop" is as guilty as they come - PERIOD!

Eddie Long did not deny the charges like an innocent person would have. Need more be said?

This is about abuse of power. Preachers, teachers, coaches, doctors...all have a responsibility not to take advantage of young people who often are in their care and may trust them. Hopefully, if there was any sexual abuse...safe sex was part of the deal for all involved. Also, young people often need some counseling after such experiences.

If your local 'holy' man or political representative is devoutly anti-gay, then i think they protestith too much. they're probably gay!

Looks like someone is hiding behind the PulPit !!!

This brings back memories of Ted Haggard, Jimmy Swaggart, Jesse Jackson and THEIR denials about THEIR sexual indiscretions !!!

..........and WE ALL know how those turned out !!!

What people must realize Bishop Long is being falsely accused. I have watch Bishop long for years work with unwed mothers, domestic violence victims, young boys without fathers (not in a sexual way) He would take young men under his wings to help direct them the right way. A lot of the men that are now pastoring the satellite Newbirth churches were young men under Bishop Long leadership. Also Bishop does not get a salary from Newbirth. Bishop Long is a Business Man and have several Businesses. Outside of Newbirth. He is a Bestselling author he have conference to help equip men and Pastors. Stop Judging him let the Jugdment seat of God do this. He is innocent. This is unfornately that this has happen but the LOVE OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL!! BISHOP LONG IS REALLY A STRONG GODLY MAN THAT WALK WITH THE UPMOST OF INTEGRITY. A LOT OF THE MAINSTREAM GOSPEL RECORDING ARTIST GOT THERE BECAUSE OF GOD USING BISHOP LONG. He gives to the poor here in Atlanta, Georgia every year thousands of dollars. Why is it that a man of God cannot be properous but men of this world take from the poor to gain there wealth and not all but many do not think of the poor. Who wants to serve the God of someone that's has no evidence that there God is with them. Bishop Long is a very successful business man and he did not build that off of the back of the people tithes or the poor. LEAVE HIM A ALONE!!!!AND LET JUSTICE BE SERVE

this is how the gays get back at the blacks for not supporting their rights...
destroy their churches, churches at the heart of their politics...
if they fail...
the rest will soon follow...

The issue in this case is wether Pastor Long is telling the truth or not. Are these four people falsely accusing him to try to extort money from him? One of them was arrested recently for robbing $100,000 or things from Eddie Long's church. He is certainly not the kind of person I consider trustworthy. On the other hand, if Bishop Long had homosexual sex of any kind with any of them then he should admit it and repent of his behavior and get help (just like Ted Haggard apparently did). If Eddie Long is telling the truth and did not abuse these guys in any way then he needs to file criminal charges against them. I would hope that a pastor like Eddie Long would be a man of integrity but I am waiting to see how this all pans out before making any judgments.

Who anointed this guy bishop? Phony reverence is creepy to watch. Top it off, his jet set lifestyle, and high living are sure giveaways to his empty bishopdom. However, if the 250K of his flock want to call him bishop and shower him in dollars, that is his and their rights. While that is their right, his sexual perversion is everyone’s business by virtue of the man’s professed access to the almighty’s private line. Here the law has the right to protect the rest of us from him. I hope his victims get their days in court

Blah blah blah. I won't be surprised one bit if this guy turns out to be just one more anti-gay preacher diddling guys on the side, one more sexual predator and Christian hypocrite. No surprise because we've seen it happen so so so many times before. The more strident they are, the more they are covering up. As for the "David and Goliath" comparison, that is just plain laughable. This guy has money, prestige, power and thousands of followers and the kids accusing him have... what? They have nothing. Who's David and who's Goliath in this scenario?

Wake up people! There is a message on toyota runaway org. They ask the question; "Does your religious leader believe in God? Toyotarunaway org has a lot of eye opening info, folks. Beware ready for very sad photos if you visit their site.

hey, Atlanta, watch your young boys, Bishop Long is on the loose

I obviously can't know the truth of these allegations, but they are pretty damaging.

I personally would have a lot of problems sitting in a Church where the Pastor was accused of molesting boys. Religious leaders don't have to be "perfect" but they should at least not be old an creepy.

That isn't something you "pray about." If you are a practicing homosexual pedophile forgiveness is not in the cards. You are just doomed.

I commented on this article yesterday and I failed to mention the people who may have been abused God be with them if that the case All I really know this day is we need God more than ever. People are hurting souls are on the line and I think it is wonderful that perhaps the leaders of the churches come forth to minister to non believers people who'se faith may be shaken and even the pastor in the midst of this controversy We need the spirit of God moving in our churches desperately in these troubled times to give the proper message that offers hope and not scandals and stands forever still prayers with this church and its followers and the victims if there are any I wanna make it all the way and sometimes the journey is relentless but its worth it no matter how many times you fall or face a bitter storm it is only by grace any of us stand at all

The issue is not homosexuality?? really? Its not the ONLY issue but it certainly is an issue anyone who says its not isnt thinking or looking clearly at the issues. The other issues include integrity in the pulpit, deifying a pastor.one of the biggest issues is the lack of accountability at these megachurches. Too many "bishops" went to some fly by night seminary school if they went to one at all, there is no litmus test for so many of these televangelists. I'm glad we dont make becoming a doctor like we do becoming a bishop. Christ preached accountabilty..who is he submitting to? Who can tell him no? no one..problem number one.

so wait, wait, wait. Harry Jackson--another self-anointed homophobic prosperity preaching lunatic who hasn't a first clue, not a first clue, about the Galilean who was crucified and whose one piece of clothing was gambled for by the soldiers who wacked him--this pompous self-proclaimed bishop accountable to noone or nobody, thinks "Bishop" Long is being persecuted because he is filthy rich and takes advantage of young men (and he doesn't have to be guilty of sexual exploitation of these young men for us to conclude that he has taken advantage of them by his position) Both Long and Jackson do this in God's name. Were I a religious person, I'd say Jackson is a viper, a hypocrite, a vile snake and blasphemer. So instead, I'll just note this: there sure are a lot of camels passing through the eye of needles lately amongst a certain brand of Christianity.

When Jim Bakker and the "PTL" Pass The Loot gang got caught up they did the same thing as him. He didn't say, "I'm not gay" because he is. He didn't say, "I didn't do it" because he did. Press conf/sermon should have lasted 2 mins then he could have taken up a collection to support his plane, cars, and luxury houses while his congregation are having their houses foreclosed at alarming rates, without his help. When Shwanda Burns ask for help after 25 years of donations, help her, don't turn your back! You're getting what you have coming. I knew you were gay 10 years ago, I was wondering when it would come out.

Idiot preachers... why don't y'all shut the hell up?

"The sex allegations against Georgia pastor Eddie Long have sparked a call for integrity in the pulpit."

Religion is primarily about money, sex and murder...on a good day.

Sigh, Its deeply saddening to see what has become of the Body of Christ universal and the black church in particular. As a lifelong committed Christian who as most black christians (64 percent according to Pew Surveys do)attend church regularly and believe that homosexuality is a sin, I am increasingly frustrated with those who would lob the word homophobic at me. As a heterosexual male I am not "afraid" of gay people(they are my friends and family), homosexuality doesnt keep me up at night(even with this Long fiasco) As a "phobia" is by definition this term created by the homosexual community is wholly innacurate misleading, and simply allows them to treat people like myself as some sort of intolerant ignoramus.I and the majority of black christians are simply standing on the word of God. Sin is sin, period. The Bible teaches we are to reject this moral relativism of whatever seems just or "right in our own eyes." Simply because its 2010 doesnt mean you throw out "out-dated" passages of scripture. If we are going to start treating God's word like a buffet, we completely water down the power of it overall. Jesus rose over 2000 years ago but no one is saying "hey, that was a long time ago now, that probably didnt happen or its not really relevant today. Numerous times in the Bible homosexuality is referred to as a sin, nothing that has ocurred since has changed that. Jesus didn't come in the new testament and say i'm taking that or any other sin off the sin list.He as he said "came to fulfill the law" He brought forgiveness for our sins and the earthly punishments not an alteration in the definition of sin. Eating pork, slavery and all the other things so commonly put forth as justifcation for ignoring the homosexuality scriptures were related to Jewish and societal customs as opposed to Godly law. Apples and oranges. The church, when it draws the line on homosexuality or even premarital sex(amen somebody) is not being homophobic or pre-modern. Its upholding its God-given belief system against a relativist society, drawing a "plumb line" in the sand and saying thus saith the Lord..which is what it should be doing. It should be loving and welcoming, without malice, but it has a right to say what it believes and stand by it. It should talk more openly about sexuality, its pitfals and moral and eternal ramifications. It also ought not to be hypocrital if you are a church that opposes homosexuality dont have a gay choir director. if that is your principle, then dont compromise it, especialy in front of your congregation, it sends a double message. What Long lacked and his church is accountabilty and a superceding authority. Power corruputs and absolute power just accelerates that corrupting and magnfies flaws. I hope this Long scandal brings about a new day in the church and black church specifcally, one where the church IS the church, holds its leaders accountable in their personal lives as well as their pulpits.

Most "ministers" like Long are corrupt to the core. He has been only after power and money for years. People in his congregation are like Lemmings. They stand behind Long, sway with him, and give all the money they have so Long can have mansions, Bentleys, diamond jewelry, etc.

DETROITBLKMALE30, you were likely spoon-fed religious garbage since you were an infant.

Many of us were too, but with education, religiously declines, and its easy to see through the bs, and ridiculous concepts such as "sin".

Why is lust is sin? Its the main reason why our ancestors procreated and you and I are here today.

What college did you go to DETROITBLKMALE30?

Pastors are human. Jejune is deeming this alleged abuse a reflection of behavior of Black ministers in general? Knew someone whose friend worked with Ted Bundy, one of the nicest, most moral looking men the friend said he had ever met! One good thing about this alleged matter, from my perspective, is that it shows non-Catholic clergymen can behave badly.

Pastors are human. Jejune is deeming this alleged abuse a reflection of behavior of Black ministers in general? Knew someone whose friend worked with Ted Bundy, one of the nicest, most moral looking men the friend said he had ever met! One good thing about this alleged matter, from my perspective, is that it shows non-Catholic clergymen can behave badly.

Eddie Long is nothing more than a good con-man follwed by 25k loyal sheep.

Clinton had set the Democrats sex rules long ago. Sex is a private matter even if you are the President and lie to the American people and a Federal judge or take advantage of your position. The Democrats said it's NO BIG DEAL.

GOD is setting His house in order. It has begun with the shepherds.

http://wsimpson.wordpress.com/2010/09/28/the-gospel-of-god-reborn/

Homosexual abuse of parishioners.

It's not just for Catholics anymore.

kenk3: PRINCETON yes thats right..ouch..any other questions? lol your comment..displays your ignorance..I need not say anymore to you because if you cannot acknowledge sin, we don't have basis on which to debate. However, I will attempt to anyway, it's ironic that you call religion BS yet is its religion, actually Christianity, actually the book of Leviticus specifically that outlines and sets the foundation for most of the secular laws we have today, murder, theft,adultery, incest so I say sin, society says law-breaking tomato/tomatoe it all came from the same place. Do some researh on this history and these issues if you are so concerned with "education" and think twice before you question someone's intelligence based upon your own condescending and narrow perspective

kenk3: To answer your question, lust isnt the reason for procreation, love, marriage are the reason as God intended. Lust is a sin because it places the desire for other things women, men, neighbor's wife, etc etc ahead of God or ahead if your wife/husband if you are married. All of which have damaging consequences. You cant lust after your wife/husband they are "yours" desire for your spouse is what procreates, although unfortunately for many single headed family kids today it doesnt happen that way

DETROITBLKMALE30, show me a single shred of evidence that your god exists, and I will happily listen to whatever you have to say, with rapt attention.

Theft, murder, and incest are frowned upon in every society, even those that have never been exposed to your bible. Theft, murder, and incest were probably frowned upon when we were hunters and gatherers.

I stay away from people like you, and I hope to meet as few people like you while I'm alive.

Anyways, you can take your religion and moralizing and shove it.

Yeah, I'm sure you went to Princeton (or any college for that matter)...

kenk3 : well in THIS country OUR laws were derived from the judeo-christian heritage from the laws set forth in the Bible. lol your abruptness is comical I did i have the ring and diploma to prove it..meet you anywhere and show it to you, but you're pobably too cowardly to do that. Which is why you gave yourself the out by saying you hope you dont meet anyone like me Don't get all mad just because you put yourself out there and got embarrassed. You win some you lose some. Perhaps next time you will think before you speak/write.Your childish behavior on the otherhand lends me to doubt your education level with comments like "shove it" How highschoolish of you.As for proof there are numerous miracles past and present that cant be explained by any other reason..But your asking for proof once again demonstrates your inability to grasp the point of these issues. faith in any dictionary isnt defined as proof that everything you beleive exists.What would be the point? The evidence will be loud and clear front and center in the end. I pray you come to accept it before then. Show me a single shred of definitive proof that God DOES NOT EXIST and I will become an atheist.

DETROITBLKMALE30 wrote:

Show me a single shred of definitive proof that God DOES NOT EXIST and I will become an atheist...

That argument is moronic.

1. How is it possible to prove something doesn't exist? You could prove leprechauns exist by catching one, but its impossible to prove imaginary characters do not exist.

The onus is on you for providing evidence that the you bronze-age garbage believe is true.

Only 2 of the 10 commandments are actually laws, and every nation on earth has these laws too, not just the West.

I see people like you at church on tv sometimes, among the ignorant, the welfare recipients and brashly loud and I think about how much of a better place this country would be if church-going, social conservatives like you (and your ilk) didn't exist.

kenk3 its quite easy to prove the absence of something existing. I can prove there is no car in your living room..quite easy actually..unless you choose to park your car in your living room which giving your low vocabularly and knowledge, i wouldnt put it past you..this country actually wouldnt exist if we the religious had not existed..once again you are only showing more and more of your ignorance..go back and read some history. Actually considering millions and millions and millions of people believe there IS a God and you are the one throwing elementary school insults, the onus is on you to prove there ISNT a God and since you cannot. You can take all of your childish hatred somewhere else and stop berating people who have a right to believe something that is very commonly held.Furthermore to be clear,scroll back and pay attention I didnt say the ten commandments, I said many of the laws in Leviticus..far more than just TWO of which are our laws TODAY.Nice try too on attempting to categorize me but from what you have demonstrated on this board, you arent capable of understanding the diverse complexity of my views religiously or otherwise, but I know it makes it easy for you to try and simplify things and "paint by numbers" by painting everyone with the same brush.Since im not ignorant, on welfare, socially conservative or brash..im not offended by your rant. nice try though.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE

After reading all the comments in reference to Eddie Long's allegely committing sexual immorality with several of his young male members -- I am simply amazed that we have so-called religious leaders in the Washington, DC area and across the country for that matter, and will try to JUSTIFY Eddie Long's behavior. Some of the Long ministry such as Fred Price, T.D. Jakes, Creflo Dollard, etc., supporters have yet to COMMENT ON THE RECORD concerning the moral terpitude of Eddie Long sending those pictures to young men?

These are the same hypocrites Yashua (Jesus Christ) whipped out of the Temple and stated: " My Father's House is a House of Prayer and you [Pharisees and modern day Bishops, Rev., Priests, and Rabbis] have made it a den of thieves." And robbing the church is nothing new for all of the crooked and deceitful ministers out there. And you know who you are.

You thieves have twisted the Word of Elohim (God) and created your own BRAND OF RELIGION and called it PROSPERITY MINISTRY. Yeah -- prosperity alright -- for me and my family and close confidantes -- and crumbs for the little guy.

God's Judgement is on you if you DO NOT REPENT for misleading the Lord's flock.

If true, it's a down-low dirty shame.

DETROITBLKMALE30 said:
Actually considering millions and millions and millions of people believe there IS a God and you are the one throwing elementary school insults, the onus is on you to prove there ISNT a God and since you cannot.

----------------------------------------

Just because millions of people believe in an imaginary character, the onus is on me to prove your god doesn't exist? It doesn't matter how many people believe in something, it doesn't make it any more "true". Most Romans believed in Zeus, most Vikings believed in Thor. Most 3 year olds believe in Santa, does that mean Santa really exists?

While I can't prove an imaginary figure doesn't exist, how do you explain a child with terminal cancer slowly dying a painful death? Why would your god allow that to happen?

Which laws from Leviticus are laws in the US? Just wondering...

Oh so he IS guilty. I totally missed that. And I'm not allowed to be wealthy? Also news to me! Funny how some of these so called spiritual leaders have no clue as to the personality and nature of God. Makes you wonder about their relationship with Him. When you KNOW your father, meaning an intimate relationship that comes from actually spending time with Him, then you know when you're a child of the MOST HIGH King, everything is yours for the taking as long as He gets the glory from it. God gives seed to the sower. Spend some time with your daddy preachers. I pray God will even get the glory from this situation. Love.

kenk3: It doesnt make it untrue either.You are questioning my faith..im not questioning your unbelief. Actually the durability of Christianity over the centuries has grown make it more likely to be true from a neutral standpoint than to be untrue. Take your own examples, how is Zeus and Thor working out for people today?Dont hear much of churches in their honor. Santa of course is something that cant even possibly be true.We all know there is no way a man could fly around the world down everyones chimney's in a sleigh in one night. Even a nonbeleiver has to admit it is at least possible that God exists even they dont want to. We live in an imperfect world full of diseases. God allows good and bad to happen in this world.He gives you free will to live your life as you choose, and while there are instances of miraculous healings. I've lost family members to slow painful cancer..watched it happened. I dont believe in God any less, more actually. The alternative would be a God who magically eradicates all pain and disease and tragedy. If he didnt save his own son Jesus from being crucified when he easily could have then we know that we often will have to endure the pain of this world until heaven. Adam and eve had the perfect world their sin cost them and us a disease free world.Fortunately through Christ we have an opportunity for a perfect and eternal afterlife. in Leviticus chapters 19 and 20 there are laws against incest, fraud, and prostitution among others.

DETROITBLKMALE30:

Just because an idea has longevity doesn't make it any more true or less true. Among western societies (or any society), religiosity declines with education and wealth.

White people have historically looked down upon people from other races for hundreds upon hundreds of years (and many still do). Since this idea has withstood the test of time, does it make it more "true"?

A god who "who magically eradicates all pain and disease and tragedy" is much preferable to one that lets children suffer, no?

There's always a possibility a god exists, but looking at the evidence, its about the same chance as existing as leprechauns or any other god from any religion, past or present... the chances are

If you actually believe in Adam and Eve, you believe in a myth. Its sad (and silly) that people actually believe things like that, with all the knowledge we have nowadays.

Btw, Leviticus has some terrible things in it.

kenk3. Longevity doesnt prove it but it certainly keeps it in the running now doesnt it? No one is still wondering about Thor or Zeus's credibility. So no you cant discount it. You can choose not to believe in it. Unless you are alot older than you let on, and lived back thousands of years ago you cant tell me Adam and Eve or anything else in the Bible didn't actually happen. Evidence? I'm sorry I don't see any evidence that God doesn't exist. Did you submit some? Just because bad things happen in life is no evidence that God doesn't exist.We don't get to "prefer" what kind of God exists. We didn't create the universe now did we? all the "knowledge" we have "nowadays" doesn't prove or disprove their existence either. The bible talks about the folly of men thinking they are so "wise" or educated that they can outhink, judge or rationalize God I'm quite familair with what Leviticus has in it, good and bad, my point is it simply served as a foundation for many of our laws. And your point on wealth and education is also not bulletproof in theory. I know well educated people who are wealthy who are fervently religious. Once again, another checkmark in the case of a faith that at the very least passes the test of the centuries, as well as race, nationality, education or wealth.Which is what you would expect from a religion that claims to be open to all.

Your god offers an "earthly" life and some people experience intense, unimaginable suffering (sometimes joy), but once they're dead, they'll experience eternal happiness.

What type of demented offer is that?

Sounds awfully extreme, almost like an imaginary bronze-age god from the Middle East, created by minds living a life where suffering was normal and expected.

What a strange society we live in where fellow citizens walk around believing in these childish ideas.

Let's make a deal:

I'll provide as much evidence of the existence of leprechauns as you can provide for the existence of a god.

Or I'll provide as much evidence that god doesn't exist as you can provide evidence that leprechaun don't exist.

Eddie Long who compared himself to a teenage David is more of an older Solomon who had his kingdom torn away for disobeying God. The lack of concern for these young males is astounding! BRAVO to
Rev. Dwayne Johnson, pastor of the Metropolitan Community Church of DC who nailed it. Too many other high profile pastors are taking a "safe" position and not the "right" position. Not only did Long lead a homosexual mental lynching, he has insulted the Gay community by observers labeling him "Gay." If and when these young males facts bear out, he will be a proven pervert. Something I don't think the straight or Gay communities welcome. It would be wise to also closely examine Long's male inner leadership.

kenk3I'm sorry you see it as demented. That's not the case at all there is jpy and happiness to on this earth incase you forgot. All is not pain and suffering. YOu seem to only think in extremes. And another point, explain to me how the most educated and wealthy country in the world holds strong to religion? kinda eliminates your theory of education dilutes belief in religion. Cute, well if you can provide me any evidence that any substantive number of people around the world believe lepreachauns are capable of creating the universe and all life then I will engage you in your silly supposition.

Friends:

Some people are demanding "facts" in this case. Well at this point, the facts are that four different young men, who were all members of his congregation, have made very detailed sworn statements that he molested them.

All of these statements give examples of a pattern of very similar behavior. And so far, no one-including Mr. Long, has come forward to deny any of the specific circumstances- such as this boy never went on a trip with Mr. Long, or to identify any contradictions in their stories.

Please note that these teenagers may or may not have have been of legal age to consent to sex. However, in Georgia these lawsuits are being brought under the laws governing the behavior of people in positions of influence or authority over someone, like doctors, teachers, ministers, and counselors.

Please also realize that Long EMPLOYED some, possibly all of these teenagers, so that his alleged behavior would also fall under the category of workplace sexual harassment no matter how old they were.