Bishop Eddie Long #3

"S. C. church plans protest against Long." Subtitle: "Pastor calls accused New Birth Missionary bishop a 'bad influence.'

Thus read a headline in today's AJC -- a hopeful sign, I thought, of some break in the apparent whitewash Bishop Long and his megachurch are constructing. I though, maybe, that the conversation among black churches was shifting from homosexuality to the whole concept of the "prosperity ministry." And the bling-bling bishop was going to get his come-uppance from the true followers of Jesus.

Wrong. Bishop Prophet H. Walker of True Light Pentacost Church in Spartanburg, S.C. has decided "to speak out" because his church is opposed to homosexuality. He says "A pastor should be above reproach."

Solidarity, yes, but it is the solid opposition of the black middle class churches against homosexuality. Otherwise liberal on social issues, and definitely opposed to discrimination on the basis of race, they are nevertheless rather reliably anti-gay. And Eddie Long is among the most virulently anti-gay.

So, Long's reputation is ruined for them, not because his religion seems based on greed and empowerment, rather than love and humility, but because he is (presumably) gay, or at least engaged in sex with young men.

It's been a bad week, what with the teen suicides of gay youth. Sometimes it's hard to remember that the changing attitudes in the country are steadily marching toward more and more acceptance.

Sometimes, it just feels so hard to wait.

Ralph