The article you linked to said he was being accused/charged with sexual coercion, so I'd say most aren't considering this truely consenting gay sex. Using ones position of power/influence to coerce those you have power over into sexual favors is taking away the victims ability to genuinely consent. If his accusers are to be believed, statements like "I cannot forget the way he made me cry many nights when I drove in his cars on the way home. I'm not able to take enough showers to wipe the smell of him off my body." make it hard to believe it was just 2 guys hooking up.
If I understand things correctly, Long was "setting the stage" with these boys in their early teens (14?). It was only when they then turned 17 that he "pounced". To me, there's something inherently wrong with that. As such, this whole thing wreaks of coercion.
I hadn't read anything about that. In my worldview, there is something totally wrong, not just inherently wrong, with what Long's said to have done. Yet, the only articles posted on the board so far have said he's had consensual homosexual sex. When I say that that behavior is not in accordance with what the Bible teaches (and calls "sin") I'm called a bigot and homophobe and idiot for believing in fairy tales, etc. Yet when a pastor/congressman/someone in the closet does it, it's all of a sudden something to judge and spray around the media and/or be "guilty" of by the those who practice or condone or lobby for that same action.
Part of the outrage against him is that he's actively anti-homosexual. From wikipedia**: CNN has said "Long frequently denounces homosexual behavior."[13] Long has ministered “homosexual cure” programs to recruit gays and lesbians for what he called “Sexual Reorientation” conferences and his church offers an ongoing “Out of the Wilderness” ministry to help convert homosexuals into heterosexuals.[14] In 2004, Long led a march with Bernice King to the grave of her father, Martin Luther King, Jr. The march was a protest against same-sex marriage and in support of a national constitutional amendment to protect marriage "between one man and one woman."[15] A 2007 article in the Southern Poverty Law Center's magazine called him "one of the most virulently homophobic black leaders in the religiously based anti-gay movement." **Not the finest source I know, but you can follow the links from there.
Brian sits up high on his holy Mount Olympus, looking down his sanctimonious nose at all the sinners below. I have yet to see any tragedy, suffering, anguish or betrayal for which he expressed sympathy (well, maybe tax increases on billionaires). No, all these sinners just get what they deserve. Besides, there really is no difference, in his world view, between a loving same sex couple of 50 years standing who raised a family, built a home, and were together until death did them part and a hate-preaching homophobic predatory manipulator preying on troubled young men desperate for a father figure. All are EVILLLLLLLLLLLLLLL HOMOSEXUALLLLLLLLL. And if you don't believe that you are bigoted against straights. Because we all know how persecuted straight people are by gays. Of course if straight people actually, you know, have SEX they are (almost) as sinful as gays. Not as much, of course. But still deserve punishment, like loss of job or forced pregnancy. If my cat watched the video of that tormented young man he'd feel compassion. Brian? Forget it.
Tragedy, suffering ,anguish and betrayal happen every day. I'm saddened by it, every day. Part of that sadness is that sinners bring it on themselves by their actions and the consequences of those actions, and don't know where to go for forgiveness. In my worldview, if straight people have sex out of marriage they ARE as sinful as those who practice homosexual sex. And those who don't honor their parents. And those who lie. Etc, etc...we've been over this. You know these things. You're either choosing to not comprehend in order to bait, or not paying attention. I can't help either one, sorry. It could be because of your rationale from the Mary Thread: Your bias and hate for those you disagree with colors your stand on issues. I choose to live by one worldview, and apply it to my life and situations consistently. Why is the young man tormented? Could it be because of a poor decision he made? I sympathize with consequences of bad decisions, I've gone through many. I'm not saying I'm any better than this man. In fact, since you bring up my "high and holy Mount Olympus", I'll quote myself from the earlier thread...maybe this time it will be read and/or understood: If the pastor did use his office to coerce these men into sex they didn't want to have, he will be at the mercy of societal justice. And you already know where I stand on criminals getting punished for breaking laws. If he didn't, and just had consensual sex with the men, my worldview states that he has still sinned because he's committed adultery and had homosexual sex. But that's not for me or you to judge, because that's between him and his God. For you to speak out against it seems pretty presumptuous and hypocritical, since you consistently champion Edit: http://sportstwo.com/threads/161586-So-what-would-they-say-to-Mary/page4 Post 51 for your quote, post 97 for mine
Thats fine and dandy. But, just because your a church going fella doesn't make your "worldview" the end-all be-all. This is part of my stink with organized religion.
it is for me. And unless the laws change, you have to accept that. Just as I have to accept that someone may disagree and want to fornicate or commit adultery or neglect their parents--all things that the government says is ok but my faith says is wrong. Persecution on both sides is forbidden, but you can see in this thread how, depending on your biases, one could flip-flop and think they're still right to vent hate. My worldview is based on a few absolutes, and a consistent application of those whether or not it's convenient for me or in my best interest or if I can understand it or not.
I fail to see any difference between the sexes when it comes to child abuse, hetero or homo. I've unfortunately known victims from both sexes. Women just get excused from prosecution much more often.
First and foremost, he abused CHILDREN, not men. Second, I have to roll my eyes a little every time some "believer" refers to his wearing of blinders through life as a "worldview". Until you face the real world without a mythical super-being as your crutch, you ain't seen nothin' yet.
There are numerous laws on the books forbidding neglect of the elderly, and you have a twisted interpretation of the word fornication. One man's religion is another man's haven for child abuse.
Well, for the record, the Pharisees were "religious". Heh, Jesus had a few other choice descriptions for them, as well.
You said parents. Most of ours are elderly. Otherwise I have no idea what you were referring to. FORNICATION: "Voluntary sexual intercourse between unmarried persons. In the Bible -a. Adultery, b. Idolatry." I assume that's your def. Since it's a made-up bible word invented to judge other people's personal behavior, I don't consider it of any value, don't define or use it personally.
Here's a definition I use that the Bible uses also: Hypocrite: One who claims to follow god's word but deliberately kills people. Tap-dance your way around that one.
