What's More Important the Message or the Messenger?

      Sooooooooo Bishop Eddie Long...pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga was recently accused of coercing young men into having sexual relations with him. I don't really care too much about the specifics of the story because that is between him and the God he serves. However I do believe there is a greater issue that needs to be handled. Such as children who are continuously taken advantage of by those in power.  Another issue is that too many are getting caught up in the "that's why I don't believe in all that church stuff anyway". But people like that were never going to church for the right reasons anyway. If a homeless person was screaming at you saying watch out for that car coming, what would you do? Would you be too busy telling them to move or would you hear what they were really saying...
      Secondly, look at the R. Kelly trial. Thousands of people stood by his side when he was accused of having sexual relations with underaged girls, and it was caught on tape. Who will speak for the children who are forced to live with the harsh reality of what is taking place and having no one to talk with. Too often in the African American community we want to defend those who we feel have been leaders when not truly seeing them for who they are. Everyone has imperfections and those who support those imperfections rather than seeking help for the accused are apart of the problem as well. So far I have heard the majority of Bishop Eddie Long supporters say "pray for the Bishop and his family". What about the young men who came forward about what has happened? Are we not human and does everyone not deserve prayer? Thousands possibly millions of children are sexually abused a year but don't have the courage to step forward because they are afraid.
      While it is important to heed what the message is let us pay attention to who is delivering the message as well.  God uses people as a vessel, in this case the young men and Eddie Long can both be seen as messengers. Perhaps this story will bring about greater revelations about what takes place at this particular church. Let's be honest, this isn't Eddie Longs first time under investigation for wrong doing at New Birth, but this one is possibly the one that will cause his demise.

This is how Cadillac Kimberly feels:


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