”The age of consent in Georgia is 16 years old… but it is absolutely pastoral, church abuse of two young parishoners….. [Robinson] is a very handsome young man, a very charismatic young man, who wants nothing more to do than what a lot of young African-American males want to do, like their idols being in the music industry, perhaps. He meets T.I. He meets Chris Tucker. He meets Tyler Perry. He meets all kind of famous people in the company of Bishop Long….
”These young men are confused. They’re confused about their sexuality. Because at the same time this is happening, they’re wanting to meet girls. One of them is the father of a child. Because they’re not gay. They just wanted to be loved and cared for by one of the most powerful, charismatic men the church has ever known…. These young men were 17 and 18 years old. That is not child molestation in the state of Georgia.
”This gives me the creeps beyond anything I’ve ever heard. Because for someone to use their power, and be their pastor, and use Biblical verses when he is out in front, and listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center as one of the most homophobic preachers in America. And so he makes these virulent, anti-homosexual remarks. And at the same time he’s leading, apparently, some kind of double life.”
Brenda Joy Bernstein, a lawyer representing two young men, Maurice Murray Robinson and Anthony Flagg, who are accusing a televangelist, Bishop Eddie Long, of coercing them into a sexual relationship. They both entered an Academy at the age of 14, and both are saying that, over time, Long moved from a mentoring situation to sexual abuse. She says that Robinson was arrested in June for breaking into the church and taking an iPad and black diamonds and gold from the Bishop’s office. She says he claims knowledge of other young men who went through the same situations, and that he took the items because he wanted to take what matters to Long the most: material items. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
”Defendant Longfellows Youth Academy is a tuition based program for young men, aged 13 through 18, which purports to train young men to love, live and lead as they proceed on their ‘masculine journey.’ … Defendant Long has utilized his spiritual authority as Bishop and leader of Defendants’ ministries to coerce certain young male members and employees of Defendant New Birth and pupils of Defendant Longfellows into engaging in sexual acts and relationships for his own personal sexual gratification…. many of Defendant Long’s victims are known throughout the Church as the ‘Spiritual Sons’ of Defendant Long.”
31. Plaintiff Robinson would accompany Defendant Long to the gym where Defendant Long would have Plaintiff Robinson rub lotion on Defendant Long at Defendant Long’s direction.
35. During the New Zealand Trip, Defendant Long placed his mouth on the penis of Robinson.
36. Following the New Zealand Trip, Defendant Long regularly engaged in sexual touching, and other sexual acts with Plaintiff Robinson.
44. Defendant Long’s May 19, 2010 sexual advances in the immediate aftermath of the death of Plaintiff Robinson’s best friend caused Plaintiff Robinson great anger and anguish.
Portion of a lawsuit filed on behalf of Maurice Murray Robinson, 20, who says he was coerced and manipulated into engaging into a sexual relationship with a very famous televangelist from the Atlanta, Georgia area: Bishop Eddie Long. The plaintiff, Robinson, says that he was given cash, taken on trips around the world, given a car, and had college tution paid while he engaged in a “covenant” which was created by Long.
Eddie Long is revered by many, with an estimated church membership of 25,000. However, many in the LGBT community view his work quite differently since he espouses anti-gay and ex-gay views. Robinson is one of two young men coming forward with similar charges against preacher Long. Though neither case appears to be criminally prosecutable, the men are suing for punitive damages for breach of fiduciary duty, negligence, fraud, infliction of emotional distress, and varioius types of failure. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
45. Not long after moving in the Golod House, Defendant Long would come to the Golod House and sleep in the same bed as Plaintiff Flagg.
46. Defendant Long engaged in sexual massages from and to Plaintiff Flagg.
47. Defendant Long then increased the sexual contact to include oral sodomy with Plaintiff Flagg
49. During the overnight trips, Defendant 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.
Part of the second lawsuit being brought against Baptist preacher Eddie Long by Anthony Flagg. He alleges that in exchange for his covenant and sexual relationship with Long, he was given a car, jewelry and put on the payroll of the church. Both Flagg and Robinson say members of the church knew that Long was staying in the same room as the young men on trips. (Fox 5 Atlanta)
The Counseling Ministry
Personal Development Classes
”Out of the Wilderness” – Confidential counsel and discipleship of men and women struggling with homosexuality. Counselors provide caring support to individuals who desire healing and deliverance through the Word of God.
Name of what appears to be a type of “ex-gay class” listed on the website of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The church is headed by Eddie Long who reportedly has a history of anti-gay statements and actions. (NewBirth.org)
”The woman gets perverted to turn towards woman … and everybody knows it’s dangerous to enter an exit! And everybody knows, lady, if you go to the store and buy these devices [marital aids], it’s Memorex! It ain’t real! … God says you deserve death!”
From a 2007 Southern Poverty Law Center article, quoting one of Bishop Eddie Long’s many anti-gay rants. (SPLCenter.org)
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