Bishop Eddie Long, the Black Church and Homosexuality: What We Can Learn

Bishop Eddie Long scandal, Bishop Eddie Long

Just when you thought that the weekend was getting started, the weekend really got started. A fourth man filed suit against Bishop Eddie Long, alleging that the respected pastor coerced him into having sex. This is the latest in what some think could become a very long list of legal problems for Bishop Eddie Long.

The suit claims the following:

"Breach of Fiduciary Duty; Negligence; Fraud; Infliction of Emotional Distress and other Counts based on Sexual Acts by Bishop Long against this young male church member."

The plaintiff in the suit, Spencer LeGrande, alleges that he met Bishop Long when he was 15 years old. He traveled with Long on various trips, including visits to Africa and Kenya. He says that intimate contact occurred during the entire time he was in Atlanta.

I admit that I am beginning to believe that there might be another side to Long. As I mentioned in my conversation on MSNBC, the goal is to make sure we see the evidence, and to separate the relevant from the irrelevant. In the event that Long did breach his fiduciary duty to these young men and their families, there is going to be (excuse the pun) serious hell to pay. Also, those who stand to lose the most are the members of the congregation at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, who've dedicated so much to creating the lifestyle enjoyed by Long. If he was using church funds to engage in this kind of activity, it's clear that he'd chosen to significantly deviate from the path that God and his congregation needed him to walk.

One ray of hope that lies on the horizon for Long and the rest of the black church is that there might be room to have an open conversation about how the black church deals with homosexuality. We've all embraced a lie that says that sexual purity is the norm, every man is completely faithful to his wife and that praying long enough will make people turn "ungay." The black church is an institution so ingrained in the psyches of many black folks that we are sucked in it before we make a conscious decision to be a part of the institution. The peer pressure is enormous, and anyone caught questioning the church or living outside its boundaries is permanently ostracized.

As a result of this involuntary indoctrination, we have millions of African Americans who live double lives of self-righteous condemnation during the day and malicious, deviant activity at night. I never cease to be amazed at how some Bible-thumping, Bible-quoting, Bible-carrying so-called Christians can live the way they do, yet somehow believe that their spirits are clean because they can recite the word to every gospel song they hear on the radio. Perhaps instead of allowing the black church to be a cultural and social institution, it can actually be a spiritual one. This obviously doesn't make reference to everyone who attends church on Sundays, but most of you know those folks who spew God from their lips and Satan from their activities.

Long is a phenomenal pastor and charismatic figure in the black community. All of us should be curious about whether there is a culture of homosexuality within the black church and how it can be discussed openly. There is also the question of pedophilia in the church, which puts our young people in jeopardy. This does not imply, of course, that homosexuality and pedophilia are linked in any significant way. There are both heterosexual and homosexual predators, and, unfortunately, one of them might be sitting next to you on Sundays. I am certainly hopeful that Bishop Eddie Long is not one of them.

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Black Spiritual Leaders

Influential Black Spiritual Leaders
People around the world look to pastors, preachers, bishops and reverends for spiritual guidance and inspirational nourishment. In the black community, popular clergymen such as Bishop T.D. Jakes, Prophetess Juanita Bynum and Rev. Al Sharpton are held in high esteem and have much influence over congregations and countless followers alike. Take a look at them and other influential black spiritual leaders.

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Influential Black Spiritual Leaders

Bishop T.D. Jakes, The Potter's House
AGE: 51 HOMETOWN: South Charleston, West Virginia ABOUT HIM: The entrepreneur and chief pastor of the The Potter's House, a 30,000 member non-denominational megachurch church in Dallas. FACTOID: Jakes, who was named among America's "Top 10 Religious Leaders" by 'Time' magazine, has recorded Grammy- and Dove Award-nominated music projects. He also produced the movies 'Woman Thou Art Loosed' and 'Not Easily Broken.'

Influential Black Spiritual Leaders

Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Trinity United Church of Christ
AGE: 67 HOMETOWN: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ABOUT HIM: For 36 years, Wright was the Senior Pastor of the Chicago megachurch -- which boasted around 8,500 members. Controversial remarks made during his sermon shed negative light on the popular church, and one of its most well known parishioners: Illinois Senator and U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama. FACTOID: Named one of 'Ebony' magazine's top 15 preachers, Wright has received a Rockefeller Fellowship and seven honorary doctorate degrees, including from Colgate University, Lincoln University, Valparaiso University, United Theological Seminary and Chicago Theological Seminary.

Influential Black Spiritual Leaders

Juanita Bynum, televangelist
AGE: 49 HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois ABOUT HER: A former beautician, flight attendant and drug abuser, Bynum transformed herself into one of the most popular celebrity clergywomen after being introduced to the masses by Bishop T.D. Jakes. With a highly rated TBN show and a thriving television ministry, she gained national attention in 2007 when her estranged husband, Bishop Thomas Weeks, III, allegedly attacked her in a hotel parking lot. FACTOID: Bynum, a best-selling recording artist and author, has crossed over into entertainment. In 2008, she starred on episodes of the hit ABC Family network TV series 'Lincoln Heights' and will also appear in the big movie adaptation of the off-Broadway musical 'Mama I Want To Sing,' alongside Ciara, Lynn Whitfield and Patti LaBelle.

Influential Black Spiritual Leaders

Bishop Eddie L. Long, New Birth Missionary Baptist
HOMETOWN: North Carolina ABOUT HIM: He first served as pastor in 1987 for a congregation consisting of just more than 300 members. Now the Lithonia, Georgia-based megachurch's membership has totaled to over 30,000 members. FACTOID: Long has authored numerous books, including 'What a Man Wants, What a Woman Needs' and 'The Blessing in Giving.' The bishop is also featured on rapper Ludacris' latest album, 'Release Therapy,' and appeared on the hit Bravo reality show, 'Real Housewives of Atlanta.'

Influential Black Spiritual Leaders

Rev. Al Sharpton, National Action Network
AGE: 54 HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, New York ABOUT HIM: Mostly recognized as a staunch civil rights activist for people of color, the former James Brown tour manager is the founder the National Action Network, a nonprofit, civil rights organization with over 40 active chapters nationwide. FACTOID: A 2004 U.S. Presidential candidate, the divorced father of two daughters has written a memoir (with Karen Hunter) hosted his own TV show (on TV One) and nationally syndicated radio program.

Influential Black Spiritual Leaders

Bishop Noel Jones, City of Refuge Church
AGE: 57 HOMETOWN: Spanish Town, Jamaica ABOUT HIM: In 1994, Bishop Jones founded Noel Jones Ministries (NJM), formerly known as Jesus Alternative Ministries, in an effort to address religion's inability to offer real relevance to the changing climate of the times. His Gardenia, California-based church boasts 7,000 members. FACTOID: One of seven children born to Bishop Robert and Marjorie Jones, Bishop Jones attended St. Jago High School and went on to attain a B.S. in Theology from Aenon Bible College. He is the younger brother of entertainer Grace Jones.

Influential Black Spiritual Leaders

Jamal Harrison Bryant, The Empowerment Temple
ABOUT HIM: Bryant founded Baltimore's Empowerment Temple in April 2000, which became the fastest growing church in the A.M.E. denomination with over 11,000 members. Prior to his role as pastor, he served as director of the NAACP's youth and college division. FACTOID: Despite dropping out of high school, Bryant later obtained a GED and went on to further his education, receiving a degree from Morehouse College, a masters of divinity from Duke University and doctorate in ministry. Today, his 'Power for Life' broadcast is heard weekly across the United States, the Caribbean, England and throughout the continent of Africa.

Influential Black Spiritual Leaders

Pastor Cynthia Hale, Ray of Hope Christian Church
HOMETOWN: Roanoke, Virginia ABOUT HER: Hale is the founding and senior pastor of the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia, which has an active membership of 5,000 and an average of 1,500 in worship each Sunday morning. FACTOID: In 2004, Hale established a mentorship program to assist in the spiritual as well as practical development of pastors and church leaders. She has been recognized by Ebony magazine as one of the greatest black women preachers in America.

Influential Black Spiritual Leaders

Bishop Larry Trotter, Sweet Holy Spirit Church
HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois ABOUT HIM: Since 1981, Trotter has expanded his congregation at The Windy City's Sweet Holy Spirit Church from 22 members to over 5,000. FACTOID: In addition to his preaching ministry, Trotter is also an accomplished musician who was nominated for a Stellar Award in 2003 for his rendition of 'Jesus is the Best Thing that Ever Happened to Me.'

Influential Black Spiritual Leaders

Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition and a Scholarship in Action Resident of the Institute for Black Public Policy. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.