Uh oh, here we go...again!

What's the deal with Atlanta and pastors in sexual scandals? Yesterday it was announced that Eddie Long, pastor/leader/bishop of the 25k member New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is accused of a pattern of taking young men on trips and giving them cars and employment and then engaging in inappropriate sexual relationships with them.

"Three lawsuits were filed this week alleging Long used cars, money and trips to coerce three young men into having sexual relationships with him when they were teenage members of his church. The allegations have been widely reported on CNN and Good Morning America, and Long was among the top 10 trending topics on Twitter Thursday." (Charisma Magazine)



Here is the pattern: 
1) Everyone is appalled and shocked and defends the "Reverend/Bishop/Pastor/Apostle."
2) Victims are blamed for being bitter and wanting revenge, etc.
3) More people come forward eventually to corroborate the story of the victims. In some cases this can take years. 
4) Either a back room deal is cut, and every one just suddenly shuts up, or, 
5) "Reverend/Bishop/Pastor/Apostle" feels a call to retire or, "pass on the mantle" to the next generation, etc. This is code for "part of the back room deal was I retire and jump out of the plane with my golden parachute." 
6) The media in the area find the real goods and report it regularly for years to come, if it takes that long. 
7) "Reverend/Bishop/Pastor/Apostle" declares his/her proper level of penance and restoration , on his/her own terms and either takes over their former position, or starts up a new "work" somewhere else, usually in Hollywood. Honestly, have we ever heard of one of these "anointed men and women of God" ever choosing to go serve in a poor area of America or a mission in another country? 
8) People still keep financially supporting these charlatans to their dying day, despite overwhelming evidence that they are crooks, thieves, and wolves in sheep's clothing. 
9) Unbelievers and skeptics have another name to throw in the face of every true believer struggling through this life doing small things with great love and trying to bring the light and truth of the real Gospel of the Kingdom. 


God have mercy on us all.