The scandal of Bishop Eddie Long has brought up many questions, opinions, and thoughts that have invovked heated debates all over the Black and religious community. Those in leadership and especially those whom have a high-profile tend to be looked upon closely through a microscope evenmore. Whether he is wrongfully accused or not, it something that has to be addressed but addressed with caution and clarity. We must deal with it truthfully and honestly with unabashed emotions if at all possible. Moreover, we must not address this situation lightly just because Bishop Long is prominent to the community. Nonetheless, I say this with total deference to the victims and families, for the pain and emotion(s) that they have to endure, is not to be marginalized.
As critics, our critical examination has to be thorough in it's assessment and not juxtapose critical examination for contempt that is derogatory and disrespectful despite how we may deeply feel regarding the matter. As inexcuseable as these accusations may be, we must allow for things to take there proper course. In having said that, I'd like to offer some of the dialog that has been taking place between myself and others pertaining to this matter. I leave you with these words... ...“He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye.” -Budda
Bishop Long addresses his congregation...
18 comments:
You've got that right!
That's true. But if it is true...That too bad for those young men.
Only god can judge him, but I can have an opinion... abusing the trust young believers have in you for sexual gain is inexcusable!!!
wow.... Why step down if you didnt do it?
@ Bro. Nightingale...I TOTALLY agree
It's very interesting.... I mean, Ted Haggard is still in the pulpit.....hmmmm
Yeah....People kill me when they say "don't judge"; however it is really bothersome when this is a guy who so vehemently degraded homosexuality. These same people who say forgive and only god can judge, I wonder how would they feel if this were there brother or child?
Exactly!
I agree in part... Of course, if it were a loved one of mine I'd be P.O'd and it would be hard but forgiveness would be proper. For whatever our transgressions...Only God can judge us. If he did what he has been accused of--it is inexcusable indeed! Now, here's my big wish--I hope that the media is fair in their coverage. Because there always seems to be a double standard when we're involved. We're demonized and villainized in a much harsher context when we do something fallible.
I TOTALLY AGREE
Please let us be clear on Judging and Jesus clarifies this for us on the Sermon on the Mount:
Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment. Our Law does not judge a man, unless it first hears from him and knows wha...t he is doing, does it? (NASB) John 7:24, 51
Being Christian does not mean being, gullible, naive, victims, or stupid. It does not mean that there are no consequences for our leaders who abuse their power. Our standard is found in the Bible and in the Life of Christ.
Why are we are so quick to come to the rescue of Christian Leaders with Don't Judge or they are only a man/woman? God has called all of us to a life of integrity. Trust and Integrity go hand in hand. Integrity is moral excellence and honesty. Integrity is the seed that brings forth a harvest of trust. When you are a person of integrity, you can be trusted. And yes we fall short but.... If Bishop Long is indeed guilty of this abuse of power, of trust, of dishonesty, of betrayal, and of evil-than his offense is criminal.
The title of Pastor is not what gives the office its legitimacy; the character of the one in the position does that. -Everyone with a collar is not a brother or sister in Christ. “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matthew 7:15).
God calls us to hold each other and our leadership accountable, for we represent the Kingdom of God! Jesus was a revolutionary leader who swung whips at folk for hypocrisy, stealing, dishonesty, and abuse of their positions. I must imagine that once again as he climbs on the cross and takes the nails for our sin, that Jesus Weeps. What a poor witness Our Leadership can be at times! Why would anyone want to come to the cross when we defraud it with such evil? This is not about forgiveness - God is faithful to forgive and yes even restore. This is about evil and this should cause people of faith outrage!
What of the young men who were trusting boys in this specific situation, Is there no compassion or even consideration for them! God desires to see, “a mighty flood of justice, an endless river of righteous living.” We must call out evil that murders, rapes, and abuses the least of these (our children and the marginalized). We cannot tolerate or causally excuse poor and unrighteous behavior in our churches and in our leadership! My God – we need a Word from the Lord!!!!
Whoa Sis. Rev. Val... Swing that sword!!! I agree in part... Outraged I am...just as outraged as I was with the priest, Jesse Jackson, etc...
And we do have a right to be outraged at all transgressions, just as Christ was. But we must still ......be careful in our outrage and understand that regardless if were in leadership or not "We all fall short of the Glory of God." Furthermore, "the whole house of religion is out of order today!'" And God is bringing everything to a head! "Chin check!'"
Here's another thought for us to ponder: Ask yourself... do you have your whole your house in order? Have you totally denied yourself first in order to truly follow Christ and obey your God? WOW!!!
OK...My agrument is not that we all do not fall short, this is always true. Grace is always chasing us down.
(see Reprobate Mind)
Falling (To drop oneself to a lower or less erect position)
..."Falling short" is that the same as planned munipulation , calculation, and groomming which goal is to take advantage of children/teenagers? If it is "falling short" God does forgive but that does not dismiss natural consequences. (prision and loss of possession and position). These were young males who were seeking after God and their lives are forever CHANGED!!!!! God will reveal or uncover your/our mess.
If this was a teacher, principal, or coach would we be so quick to respond to dismiss with spiritual mumbo jumbo? I just am upset by the dismissive attitude of "no biggy".See More
Now, I get that for sure! It seems like when it does involve those in leadership positions, whether it be a preacher, mayor, or president, etc. we "down-play," the context of the situation. Something in which I don't agree with...the "no biggy," mentality is a crux in human life that we all must defeat. We play that card alot in many of the situations involving those in prominence.
That's not the card I'm playing here in my critique. I'm saying we must hold the Bishop accountable but be careful of, how we put him "on blast." The young brothas' involved lives have been forever changed but as we both acknowledged, only God can deliever and restore them from this mess! And that is my prayer...for all invovled.
Here's another thought: A person’s inner nature, what he possesses in the inner, spiritual part of his being, determines what he is tempted by on the outside. The temptation fits the true nature of the person being tempted and reveals the possibilities of his nature. Every person actually determines or sets the level of his own temptation, because temptation will come to him in accordance with the level of his controlling, inner nature. -Excerpt from My Utmost for His Highest; Online Ed. Sept 17, 2010 http://utmost.org/is-there-good-in-temptation
You are on point with that.
God is so faithful that he tells us in 1 Cor. 10:13 - No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.See More
I just taught on that in one of my blogs!!! WOW!!! The spirit is moving today!!! I don't practice Buddhism but this is powerful...“He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye.” -Budda
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