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<DIV><FONT size=2>From the timely OP/ED piece below comes the
following:</FONT></DIV>
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<P>"As a professor of social ethics who trains aspiring clergy, you pray
religious leaders adhere to two important points. First, although we all fall
short of our professed moral ideals, one should never spiritualize
indiscretions. And no religious leader is fit to be called a leader unless he or
she is willing to acknowledge when he or she is wrong.</P>
<P>Second, we must draw a line between our position and the institution that we
are called to serve. The latter should always be considered more precious and
important than the former."</P>
<P><FONT size=2>Question:</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2>How does local Cultmaster Douglas Wilson measure up to these
standards?</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2></FONT> </P></DIV><FONT size=2>
<DIV><BR>Wayne A. Fox<BR>1009 Karen Lane<BR>PO Box 9421<BR>Moscow, ID
83843</DIV>
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<DIV><A href="mailto:waf@moscow.com">waf@moscow.com</A><BR>208 882-7975</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>__________________________________________________</DIV>
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<H1>Bishop Long: Did you or didn't you?</H1>
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<DIV class=cnnbyline>By <B>Jonathan L. Walton</B>, Special to CNN</DIV>
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<DIV><B>STORY HIGHLIGHTS</B></DIV>
<UL class="cnn_bulletbin cnnstryhghlght">
<LI>Jonathan Walton: Bishop Long never directly refuted allegations of
seducing teen boys</LI>
<LI>Walton says those trying to deflect a perjury charge use the
cowardly rhetoric Long used</LI>
<LI>Long hid behind biblical metaphors, he writes, used congregation as
shield</LI>
<LI>Walton believes if the bishop wants authority, he needs to take
responsibility</LI></UL></DIV></DIV>
<P class=cnneditorialnote><EM><B>Editor's note:</B> Jonathan L. Walton is
assistant professor of African-American religions at Harvard Divinity
School. He is the author of "Watch This! The Ethics and Aesthetics of
Black Televangelism" and the resident ethicist on the Tavis Smiley radio
show. </EM></P>
<P><B>(CNN)</B> -- Over the past two decades, Bishop Eddie Long has built
his public ministry at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church near Atlanta,
Georgia, upon a testosterone-laden theology and a hypermasculine
image.</P>
<P>His books bear titles such as "Taking Over," "Called to Conquer" and
"Gladiator." Typical names for his sermons are "Conquer and Subdue" and
"Reign or Maintain." The ministry motto, "Taking Authority," is signified
by a golden sword and shield that adorns the bishop's ring finger.</P>
<P>This is why I was saddened to watch Eddie Long duck and dodge
allegations that he seduced multiple teenage boys into sexual
relationships. One would think that someone who constantly preaches about
male headship, rulership, and power would deny these allegations with the
same bravado that he defends his right to drive a $300,000 automobile.</P>
<P>Yet on Sunday we never heard the term "innocent," or a refutation of
the charges. In fact, we witnessed a cowardly, rhetorical two-step that
may mark the tragic end to this bishop's reign.</P>
<P>Milquetoast quotes like "I am not the man being portrayed on
television," and "I'm going to fight this," are at best nondenials. Anyone
familiar with these sorts of civil cases knows that such word selection is
common among those trying to deflect a potential perjury charge down the
line. Either Long engaged in inappropriate sexual acts with these young
men or he didn't. To hide behind legal counsel, biblical metaphors and
spiritualized acknowledgments of one's imperfection insults the
intelligence of those who respect him and his ministry.</P>
<P>The question on the hearts and minds of parishioners is not whether he
is a "perfect man." Nor does this story have anything to do with David and
Goliath, as Long so irresponsibly alluded. The faithful just want to know
whether Long used his authority (and their money) to maintain a teenage
male harem under the pretense of mentoring. Is this too much to ask?</P>
<P>As a professor of social ethics who trains aspiring clergy, you pray
religious leaders adhere to two important points. First, although we all
fall short of our professed moral ideals, one should never spiritualize
indiscretions. And no religious leader is fit to be called a leader unless
he or she is willing to acknowledge when he or she is wrong.</P>
<P>Second, we must draw a line between our position and the institution
that we are called to serve. The latter should always be considered more
precious and important than the former.</P>
<P>Eddie Long had four days leading up to Sunday morning to address these
charges. But aside from a brief yet legally broad statement through
lawyers saying that "the charges against me and New Birth are false," he
did not counter the boys' allegations.</P>
<P>He did choose, however, to invite the media and the world into the
house of prayer on the Christian Sabbath. By doing so, he appears to be
the kind of pastor who puts his own protection and self-preservation
before the community of faith. And rather than courageously defending
himself, he looked like a coward using New Birth's congregation as human
shields.</P>
<P>If the bishop wants to take authority, he needs to begin by taking some
responsibility. Maybe for the good of New Birth, Eddie Long should take
that sword out of his golden ring and fall on it.</P>
<P class=cnninline><I>The opinions in this commentary are solely those of
Jonathan L. Walton.</I></P></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></DIV><!--Article End--><!--Bibliography Goes Here-->
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<TD class=font-cn><SPAN class=fonttitle>Find this article at:</SPAN>
<BR>http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/09/27/walton.bishop.long/index.html?hpt=Mid
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