Posted by denised in 
The head of one of Atlanta’s most prominent Baptist churches, Bishop Eddie Long, now stands accused of having sexual relationships with two men, former members of Long’s 25,000-member New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
The men now in their 20’s, were 17 and 18 at the time of the alleged abuse. Filing separate claims, the two maintain the bishop wooed them with money, overnight trips and gifts. The lawsuit claims, “Defendant Long has a pattern and practice of singling out a select group of young male church members and using his authority as bishop over them to ultimately bring them to a point of engaging in a sexual relationship.”
In statements released by the church, Bishop Long categorically denies the charges. Atlanta’s all abuzz about the situation and one of the city’s most famous churches. Here’s what the Atlanta Journal is reporting,
Church spokesman Art Franklin did phone interviews with CNN and the “Frank and Wanda Morning Show.” He strongly denied the allegations but declined to get specific when pressed, saying the lawyers had yet to look at the full lawsuits.
“It’s really unfortunate these two men have decided to take this course of action,” Franklin told Ski. “The plaintiffs, these are not innocent victims. …I just caution people to consider the sources and their motives.”
On CNN, Franklin said the plaintiffs were motivated by “retaliation” and called it “a shakedown for money.”
Read more about Long here in the AJC online.
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