Sexual Allegations Against A Popular Bishop Renews Conversation About Homosexuality and The Church

With sexual allegations being made against Atlanta-based Bishop Eddie Long by members of his own congregation, a new debate and dialogue is being given a voice nationwide concerning homosexuality in the Christian Church.

In light of the scandal that has erupted, abuse survivors and authors Larry "DaPharoah69" Wilson and Jonathan Spikes,both of Miami, FL, have released statements about their own experiences and what they hope will come out of the firestorm.

"As a bestselling author who has been statutory raped by two of my pastors when I was a teenager and never spoke out on it (till recently), I am deeply saddened. I won't degrade Pastor Eddie Long, for I don't know the entire story. I've been on both sides of abuse being a four year survivor of childhood rape, and survivng fals allegations against myself 14 years ago when I was 19. So I sympathize with both Eddie Long and the accusers. I do know opportunists are out there waiting to pounce on someone's fame for notoriety. But if it is true, then this reverberates how I felt when a pastor from a church I attended when I was 14 raped me and got up in the pews the very next Sunday damning all homosexuals to hell, looking me deeply in the eyes. I didn't feel I was worth anything. Its hard for anyone to actually come forward and admit someone did something to them, especially of a sexual nature. I feel that if you are a leader or a pastor leading a congregation, though you aren't perfect and you are without sin, you should monitor your actions and hold yourself at a high regard because those who you influence are also your fans, followers and supporters. Negativity befalls them as well when you participate in hidden agendas.

"This should be a wake up call to Pastors everywhere. Instead of bashing homosexuality more than you bash adulterers, murderers and men with more than one woman, pastors should show more understanding and humility towards his fellow man and woman. And with this understanding stereotypes and prejudices will be alleviated, and the church and a people can start to heal through charity." --- Bestselling author Dapharoah69, The King of Erotica



"The Minister Long allegations brings up the perfect opportunity for the church to finally address the issues of homosexuality. I feel the rejection of homosexuality is the norm in most churches. I know it was in the church that I once belonged to.

"From the pulpit, the pastor preached that homosexuality was contrary to God's word. "God ain't make man to sleep with man. How can you love God and indulge in homosexual sin?" I felt guilty. It made me feel that something was wrong with me. I prayed and prayed that God would take away my feelings toward men. I would lay on the floor and cry and plead with God. However, those feelings still remained. I hated myself. I felt as if I was going to burn in Hell.

"I desired to make it into Heaven so I constantly read my Bible, and I spoke in tongues, and I rebuked the Devil in Jesus’ name, and I had declared spiritual warfare, and I had pleaded the blood of Jesus in order to keep my flesh free of homosexuality. But still, in the end, I was gay.

"I asked my preacher to pray with me. I just had to be free of the homosexual demon that plagued my life. He prayed and prayed. He even poured Olive Oil on the top of my head. He spoke in tongues. When he finished he told me that I was delivered. I jumped up and down and shouted for joy. I was delivered. After we prayed, my pastor urge me to find another church that deals with people like me because he don't tolerate those type of demons in his church.

"I questioned why homosexual sin was singled out by my pastor and my church congregation. But what about all of the other sins? I kept asking. Isn't sin--sin? If sin is sin, and no sin is greater than the other, why do churches reject homosexuality or make it appear that it is the ultimate sin? Pastor's commit adultery, fornication, theft, cast the first stone, and a whole slew of other things that is contrary to what the Bible teaches, but it seems to be accepted or not as sinful as homosexuality.

"Why tell me that I can be whatever I want to be, when being gay is not, and should never be a part of that whatever?" It's time for the church to answer this question, Why say that God loves you in-spite of, but then you reject me because of? It is time for some answers.

"I was molested as a child. It hurts when you put your trust in an authoritative figure, only for them to molest you. I never told anyone because of fear, guilt and shame. I did not want to get him in trouble. I felt like I caused it. I was so brain washed that I became attracted to all tall, dark skinned, muscular men because it reminded me of my abuser. Even as an adult, he still controlled my mind.

"I spent several years putting myself through psychological torture as I tried to hold on to the "secret." I acted out by participating in self destructive behavior. Through therapy, faith and writing my novel, I know what I AM and I AM NOT what you call ME!, I was finally able to let go of the pain and move forward with my life. I realized that it was my anger that gave him power over me, and it was my forgiveness that set me free. We can only move forward if we address the pain. Hopefully, the church is finally ready to address the pain." --- Jonathan Spikes, author of I KNOW WHAT I AM AND I AM NOT WHAT YOU CALL ME

Both DaPharoah69 and Jonathan Spikes are available for interviews and discussions to talk about their own triumphs over personal tragedies and how they have channeled their energy towards success and happiness. For more information, contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or 601.896.5616. You can also visit www.shadowplayent.com.