Friday, October 01, 2010

Hubris...and Eddie Long

I have been following the Eddie Long scandal. Isn't it amazing how the sanctified chorus (the leaders of the other prominent mega churches) have decided to 'reserve judgement' until that man is found guilty in a court of law. These guys took the same stance when Weeks beat his wife in the parking lot. The brotherhood sticks together like glue.

Ultimately, this is the story of a man that may have abused his power and position and influenced people that trust him into doing his will, not HIS will.

This story isn't about the Bentley, the mansion, the muscle shirts, the Ph.D from an unaccredited school or even the curly toupee.

I don't understand why the man didn't just make a public statement declaring that 'I didn't do it. Those boys are lying on me.' Instead he blamed it on 'the devil'. It would've been more sincere if he had blamed it on the Henny, Goose or just said that the 'tron had him in a zone.

The devil is an easy scapegoat and it absolves the humans in this story of any responsibility. I wonder if the Bishop* considered that maybe this is the Lord's doing. God has a way of shining light in dark places and allowing people to be exposed so that they might do better or get help.

Hubris is arrogance in the face of the Gods. It starts out with a person rationalizing that his personal feelings are really messages from God. It distorts your perception, making you think that those thousands of people every Sunday are coming to see you and what you think or have to say and not to hear what God has to say. It makes your vision blurry, causing you to use extra large font for your name on the church sign. Hubris is a tape worm of the psyche. It feeds on everything and leaves you still hungry for more.

Hubris is the opposite of humility.

I hope that Mr. Long uses this scandal as a true 'come to Jesus' moment. I hope that he takes some time off, to reflect on how he can be a more humble man and megaphone for God.

...and I hope those boys win their case, get help from a therapist and are able to forgive Eddie in the Long run.

Holla


*Since when did Pastors become Bishops? Isn't a Bishop over a group of churches and a Pastor leads one. Or do mega churches count as multiple single churches? Not being funny, I don't get it.

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