God, Sex, Lies and Money

Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."Matthew 19:21I’ve never begun a blog post with a Bible verse.  I’m highly hesitant to do, as the man I’m about to discuss (mega-church pastor Eddie Long), and any number of Christians could slap me down effortlessly in a Bible quoting contest if they had an opposing view to the one I’m about to express.But still I begin with this plainspoken response from the itinerant rabbi named Jesus to a young rich man who wanted to know what else, other than keeping the commandments, he needed to do for salvation.  I do it for this reason: I do not know if Eddie Long has failed as a Christian because he’s a predator of young men for sex (although the signs are troubling). But I’m confident he’s failed as a Christian by embracing remarkable personal wealth.  Long’s civil liability is in dispute, but his possession and enjoyment of great monetary wealth is not.  And if money is a common tool of the devil, well, Bishop Long is being used already.Did Long lead these four young men into sexual activity by identifying them as attractive and vulnerable targets from a spiritual flock that attracted some from difficult backgrounds?  Did he use his stature and the power of faith to create a “covenant” between them to ensure intimate access to their lives?  Did he “employ” them in his vast enterprise and take them to far away places with the added attraction of gifts and celebrity access?  Did he then engage in intimate, and then sexual contact with them while the gravy train rolled on, as well as the unending reminder of the power differential that existed between him, a world-renowned spiritual leader, and them as “spiritual sons?”I don’t know.  But the statements of facts within the legal pleadings are remarkably typical of predatory, “grooming” behavior, and ring very true.  And Long’s words since the allegations first broke are far from comforting.  As Jonathan L. Walton, a professor of African-American religion at Harvard Divinity writes, Long’s non-denial this past Sunday was odd at least.  Long, on Sunday and on Tuesday, seemed almost to be preparing his congregation for further damaging revelations.  He noted that, while he’s not a “perfect man,” he’s “not the man being portrayed on TV.”  He then conflated himself with his congregation and compared himself to David against Goliath.These are textbook diversionary tactics: Make the struggle about “us versus them,” and include your followers as victims under attack.   Portray yourself as a martyr under siege and call up Biblical images that bespeak your status as an anointed struggler against great odds.  Amplify your theatrical piety, but just in case something comes out that you can’t deflect, set them up for a bit of disappointment.The attractive but meaningless admission of being less than perfect is a rhetorical device that allows the subject to fall far below a standard most are expected to meet and still be equated with them because, of course, no one is perfect.  Former Congressman Gary Condit said exactly this in 2001 when attempting to explain his extra-marital affair with a murdered young woman whose missing-persons investigation he basically obstructed through lying about their relationship.  “I’m not a perfect man,” Condit reminded us.  What of it?  My father is imperfect.  But he is a deeply decent, humble and kind man.  The issue isn’t whether Condit or Bishop Long is perfect.  The issue is whether either fell below the standard of decency rationally and appropriately set for them.  In Long’s case, that standard is high indeed, frankly higher than Condit’s even if (and maybe because) Condit was a member of Congress.So why did I bring Long’s wealth to bear on the argument?  After all, there are many Christians and other religious who believe that God not only sanctions but provides earthly gifts to the faithful, including pastors.  Men like Joel Olsteen have made millions promoting a gospel of wealth and financial freedom, and far from apologizing for their riches, they celebrate their wealth and dare us to join them, somehow. These men can quote all the verses at me they wish.  I'm no Biblical scholar but in my mind this kind of thinking is about as compatible with Jesus’ teachings as whiskey is to driving.  I believe clergy should live in solid middle-class comfort; a good car and an air-conditioned house.  A ready means of providing health care, recreation, education and security for themselves and their loved ones- the kind of middle class life that’s quickly disappearing in the U.S.  Anything beyond that is spiritual theft.In Long’s case, there is a cultural power-aspect that should be considered.  Money is power, and Long, from a deeply oppressed minority, may believe his and his church’s wealth to be a marker of hard-won and well-deserved progress.  With regard to his church and its influence over and attraction to world leaders and the like, he’s right.  But the way he personally lives is despicable for a Christian minister of any stripe, and mocks the humility and simplicity of the rabbi who allegedly inspired all of it.So based on what I know, Long is- in my view- deeply flawed as it is.  And it's simply been my experience that once the devil gets his foot in the door, it's easier to kick it wide open. Based on what I am hearing, from the four plaintiffs and Long himself, I’d be saddened but not surprised if the allegations are true.  My sadness, alas, extends to the abused men and Long’s family, as well as the tens of thousands of truly decent people who view him as a spiritual leader.  It stops short of Long himself, who has gained richly in an ancient but filthy tradition of selling the greatest gift a loving Christ- the one that is supposed to be, above all, free.