The House That Jesus Built ~ Or Taxpayers?

Are pastors who spread intolerance of SGL people living in luxury at taxpayers expense? You decide. I believe it's a prime example that religion is the best business ever. Keep those offerings flowin' ... 'cause the Rev needs a new Bentley. ~~ tS

"In 1995, Bishop Eddie Long established a nonprofit, tax-exempt charity to help the needy and spread the gospel. But it was Long, leader of the largest church congregation in Georgia, who became the charity's biggest beneficiary." That's the way the Atlanta Journal-Constitution began an exhaustive report on Bishop Eddie Long's eponymous charity, which reportedly provided him with at least $3 million in salary, benefits and the use of property, including a $1.4 million 20 acre home and the use of a $350,000 luxury Bentley automobile. You may recall that Long is the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia and led a march against gay rights from the Martin Luther King Jr. Center last year. The damning story in the Journal also mentions that Long was fired from a job for lying on an expense report. The story continues: "In October 2002, Bishop Eddie Long Ministries notified the IRS that the charity was dissolving and pledged to transfer all of its assets to New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The house was never transferred. Instead, a year later, Long signed papers relinquishing the charity's interest in the home, making himself the sole owner." A church spokesman said Long no longer takes a salary, but instead accepts "love offerings" made by church members, according to the Journal. Long also rejected old-fashioned notions that pastors should be poor. "I would love to sit with you and walk with you through the Bible to show that Jesus wasn't poor," he said. "I'm not going to apologize for anything," he told the Journal. Keith Boykin ~~ Read the Full Article