True Confession II

It’s not super juicy or anything. Still, I have to confess.

Something about “Bishop” Eddie Long doesn’t hit me right. And I put “Bishop” in quotes because it just seems so incredibly out of character for the Baptist Church.

Mavis and I were raised in a strict Baptist home. Dancing, card playing, social drinking and the like were all generally frowned upon. (I came to call it the Religion of “No.”) We were always taught that “self” means nothing, and that promoting one’s position in the church or setting one human being above another was prideful; a sin. Yet, there is a section of the Baptist Church machine that features this human hierarchy – bishops and the like – and I must confess, it hits me wrong.

I was going to give Eddie the benefit of the doubt — after all, he didn’t set up the ladder that apparently leads straight to heaven — until I read excerpts from an interview with the Atlanta Journal Constitution:

“We’re not just a church, we’re an international corporation, ” Long said. “We’re not just a bumbling bunch of preachers who can’t talk and all we’re doing is baptizing babies. I deal with the White House. I deal with Tony Blair. I deal with presidents around this world. I pastor a multimillion-dollar congregation.”

Well good boy, Eddie. I’m sure Jesus is proud.

I guess I should still be in the giving-the-benefit-of-the-doubt phase. I mean, nothing’s gone to trial yet. And maybe the four men leveling the accusations are in cahoots to extort him. I wouldn’t know why. He’s just a humble pastor.

OK, OK. Stop being a snooty wonk, I know. I confess: I’m just jealous of his Rolexes and bling and thousand-dollar suits and mansion and fast cars.

Speaking of lucrative vocations — I have to get ready for school. Yay! It’s almost the weekend.

:-)

5 thoughts on “True Confession II

  1. Mavis

    Snooty wonk or not – I think the man is guilty.

    What ever happened to preaching about love and acceptance? I believe in a God that puts us all on the same level. Why has the church and its so-called preachers turned it into a business? A lot of them have put themselves above God – and they usually end up falling hard. I think Eddie Long is on the short list.

    Reply
    1. Rat Fink Post author

      Mave, it’s really hard to think otherwise, unless these 4 guys have concocted the world’s greatest fleece job. Are lawyers that gullible, really?? I hate to prejudge, but there comes a time where one has to look at one’s lifestyle and ask, “Am I bringing this on myself?” Even if he’s innocent, he’s pushing the credibility envelope.

      Reply
  2. PKPudlin

    Long is absolutely right. The church (ANY church) is a BUSINESS – first and foremost. Make no mistake about that. They exist to make money, just like every other business in the world. Which is why they need to be TAXED, just like any other business.

    Ack – don’t get me started. What do you think ‘PK’ stands for???

    PK
    (Preacher’s Kid)

    Reply

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