Bishop Eddie Long Scandal: "We Want to Know the Truth, Man!" Yells Church-Goer
LITHONIA, Ga. (CBS/WGCL/AP) Followers prayed, sang and embraced one another as they rallied around Bishop Eddie Long, who addressed his 25,000-member congregation and the media Sunday morning in his first public remarks since accused of luring four male teens into sexual relationships last week.
However, during the second Sunday service one young man in a blue shirt stood up and shouted: "We want to know the truth, man!"
He was quickly escorted out and did not return.
Other than that outburst, Long's brief addresses to the congregation at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church were met with thunderous applause and outpouring support, CBS affiliate WGCL reports. The sanctuary was nearly filled to its 10,000-seat capacity for both the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services.
"I have never in my life portrayed myself as a perfect man. But I am not the man that's being portrayed on the television. That's not me." he said.
Long became one of the country's most powerful independent church leaders over the last 20 years, turning a suburban Atlanta congregation of 150 to a 25,000-member powerhouse with a $50 million cathedral and a roster of parishioners that includes athletes, entertainers and politicians.
It is unclear whether Long faces any risk of being removed by his church's board, but the allegations at the very least guarantee months of scrutiny as the lawsuits move forward.
The men say they were 17 or 18 years old when the relationships began. Federal and state authorities have declined to investigate because Georgia's age of consent is 16.
Complete Coverage of Bishop Eddie Long on Crimesider
