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A school affiliated with Bishop Eddie Long’s Georgia megachurch is shutting down. Parents received letters, just two days before Christmas, telling them the school would close on January 4th.

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New Birth Christian Academy, which enrolls students in kindergarten through the 12th grade, has been struggling financially for years, officials said. A financial deficit and declining enrollment left its board of directors with no other option but to temporarily close the school, said a church statement.

Art Franklin, a spokesman for New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, is keen to stress the school’s closure is not linked to the sexual allegations against Bishop Eddie Long, which culminated in the pastor taking a sabbatical to “tend to family business” after his wife filed for divorce.

Though, a parent, speaking to Channel 2 WSB-TV, begs to differ. “I don’t believe that,” she said in the interview, which did not disclose her identity. “I believe that this last straw with the divorce, the sealed settlement, it just does not look good. I really believe that people continued to take their children out as each allegation unfolded month after month.”

“Just like the parishioners have suffered, the children are now suffering,” said the parent, who is also upset the school gave such short notice.

Officials called the closing a business decision and said they “will do everything within our power to reopen the school at some point in the near future.” The letter also stated the staff at New Birth will help students and parents find a new school.

The academy, founded by Bishop Eddie Long and located within the church, is closing after 18 years, forcing parents of more than 200 students to scramble to find new schools by next week.

Tuition at the school ranged from $5,725 for New Birth members to just over $6,000 for non-members with more than $1,000 in non-refundable fees, according to the academy’s website.

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  • http://twitter.com/pblkbrothers Positive Brothers

    The economy affects us all

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7UVUVOKIQXNK46Y5DJ6H6ARECA Carl C

    Was he riding dirty in the school too? LOL!!!!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Iwillbfree/ Iwillbfree

    The “kingDUMB” [New Birth] is beginning to fall! Those DUMB negroids can’t afford to run the E.C., let alone pay for schooling!

    This has nothing to do with the economy! He has a private lear jet, 2 million dollar home or more, expensive CARS [as in plural], the BEST of tailored clothing, so where is he hurting from the economy? NO WHERE because lawyer fees, members who have left his ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, his pay off to the young males, have caught up with his wickedness!

    If Black preachers would DO FOR SELF and hire their own professional teachers, doctors, lawyers and nurses we would not be DEPENDENT on caucaosids!

    THIS IS AN IDEAL TIME FOR THESE PROFESSIONALS TO GET TOGETHER AND TEACH OUR OWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Too much like RIGHT, tho!

  • Anonymous

    Horribly short notice for the families. I hope they are able to find suitable arrangements for their children.

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Iwillbfree/ Iwillbfree

    Another televangelist flames out

    September 28, 2010 – By Ron Hart

    After four lawsuits alleging he coerced young males into sexual relationships were filed, Georgia pastor Eddie Long took to the pulpit Sunday to carefully nuance his side of the story.

    Long, the charismatic who leads his mega-church of 26,000 members, told reporters after Sunday’s service that he would challenge the allegations. Joined by members of his legal team, he carefully read from prepared remarks — always a sign of innocence.

    By now we know how the redemptive process works for a televangelist accused of sexual relations with young males. First there is the allegation. Then there is the carefully worded, non-denial denial in which he says he will “fight the charges.” Then the preacher puts his jet and all the money he has yet to get into the bankruptcy-proof corporate shell he controls. Then his lawyers handle the settlements while the preacher gives lots of ensuing sermons on forgiveness.

    The allegations were particularly interesting because over the years Long, who is married, has campaigned aggressively against homosexuality. It has become a preacher’s job to tell his flock what to be afraid of and how to vote. I find it interesting that, based on the same Bible, black preachers tell their followers to vote for Democrats and white preachers usually tell theirs to vote for Republicans.
    Bishop Long’s followers will forgive him — because he will tell them to.

    Looking back, those parishioners should have known something was up when Bishop Long insisted they chant “Fabulous!” instead of “Amen” after he made his point preaching.

    Most evangelicals maintain that being gay is an addiction, like smoking. Except you can do the gay thing on commercial aircraft as long as you don’t tamper with the smoke detector.

    The four boys who filed the suit against Long said he used jewelry to entice them into sexual relationships. I am not an expert on gays, but I have watched Will and Grace and I am pretty sure dangling fancy bracelets as bait only works when the target has a preexisting proclivity for prancing.

    I have written about such cases in the past, most notably in my award-eligible column about defrocked Reverend Ted Haggard, “Ministers Should do More than Lay People.” I am starting to understand why all those Bibles end up in hotel rooms.

    After Ted Haggard finally admitted to using money from his own mega-church to buy drugs and male prostitutes (talk about robbing Paul to pay for Peter), he went into a religious program to de-gay himself. It was supposed to be a three-week program but he only had time for about a week. They said, “Fine, that will probably about do it.” The final exam consisted of seeing whether Haggard could watch a complete NASCAR race while the Tony Awards were broadcast on another channel.

    Atlanta, voted the best place for a black male on the “down-low,” has its share of mega-church preachers with Lear jets. I am pretty sure it is written somewhere in the Bible (I’m not exactly sure where because I skipped around a lot) that Jesus would have had a G4 jet and handlers to chauffer him around Jerusalem had the technology existed back then. If the Pope can have jets and Pope-mobiles, it seems only fair under affirmative action that Preacher Eddie Long also be allowed to enjoy such worldly pleasures.

    It is an age-old story. Charismatics promote their moral superiority in their quest to tell others what to do, while they take 10% of their followers’ income as a tithe in the name of God. God is a great silent business partner for these guys because He lends credibility and gravitas and does not take a cut of the action. I’m no theologian, but using the fear of God to take advantage of the vulnerable has to be one of the worst things done in the name of religion — right behind using it as justification to go to war.

    The inherent hypocrisy of the Eddie Long scandal is just one more event that should make us re-think the anti-gay sentiment in America that causes many to be closeted and prey on our kids. Reverends Long and Haggard and pedophile priests fall into the same camp — a camp to which you do not want to send your son.

    Maybe Long can join Haggard and all those Catholic priests accused of molesting boys in a Million Man March against homosexuality. I bet they would like that.

    KEEP ON GIVING THAT 10TH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/sunshine80ca/ sunshine80ca

    Eddie was making regular visits, to speak privately with the boys, and buying rolls royces with the church’s money.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EKYC4ONCZDTUAIMEWW7Z4XY7KM sharon

    SO DOES HURTING CHILDREN , YOU ARE DEMENTED!

  • Anonymous

    Always, the innocent have to suffer for the atrocities of others.

  • http://www.facebook.com/hevansspeedy Speedy Evans

    Long should go to jail for what he’s done to the ppl at newbirth church. they need to sue him

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/lwillbefree/ lwillbefree

    We need Jesus

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/franknitty410/ franknitty410

    “Just like the parishioners have suffered, the children are now suffering,” said the parent, who is also upset the school gave such short notice………u shoulda been took ur kid out dat school u fuhkin idiot parents cant call themselves good parent vause they spend money on a school with child molesters in em

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/jazzwatch/ jazzwatch

    With scandals. embezzelment, and other odious crap going in THAT (and MANY other) schools, not suprised…….

    Who wants to go to a ONE SEX schools where there is reading, wrtiting, and ROMANCING???? Not meee……

  • Anonymous

    ECONOMY? Are you serious?? You really are POSITIVE lol

  • Anonymous

    I should have scrolled down before i posted to him. I thought I was the only one that was thinking what you posted.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_U2MQD4IJ23IN2K3SL27YT2OWR4 Gladys

    If Black preachers would DO FOR SELF and hire their own professional teachers, doctors, lawyers and nurses we would not be DEPENDENT on caucaosids!I am a mature and beautiful lady.and now I am single…. You know any blackwhite club can be better ?…My friend just met a black man on(__ βlαckwhitеPlanet.СòM __)-it’s the most effective site in the world to connect with, date and marry successful, you will find someone you like there. Black or white even interracial one. Have fun! You may find me there! The four boys who filed the suit against Long said he used jewelry to entice them into sexual relationships. I am not an expert on gays, but I have watched Will and Grace and I am pretty sure dangling fancy bracelets as bait only works when the target has a preexisting proclivity for prancing.

  • Anonymous

    “EL, Must Be Keeping Company W/Too Many WP” – “Who May Have Made Him The Wrong Product Of His Communities Environment”!

  • Anonymous

    “That Is One Of The Reasons Why People Don’t Go To Church”….

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Iwillbfree/ Iwillbfree

    YOU NEED A FOOT UP YOUR ASS, FAKE, WEAK ASS IMPOSTER!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EKYC4ONCZDTUAIMEWW7Z4XY7KM sharon

    IT’S OK, GREAT TO SEE GREAT MINDS THINK A LIKE

  • Dandelion

    BRAVO!!!!

  • Dandelion

    On and that’s 10% of gross pay not net pay. It’s more important to pay God before Uncle Sam.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6CT4FBTGA7N2T5KSCNOKYYMOOM whowantz2kno

    I’m wondering why so many parents are ‘cool’ with pushing their children right into the arms of those sex crazed child molesting wolves in the church and all the while paying for it….

    Damnit, forget the medical field! I should have gone into Theology! Damn the kids in the church, that money is just too easy!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/Iwillbfree/ Iwillbfree

    Isn’t it amazing how these phony xtians can GIVE their money to these modern day pimps? These weak ass fe-males are nothing, but xtian ‘ho’s. They even dress like ‘ho’s…short skirts, stiletto heels, make-up caked on their faces, acting like huzzies in the E.C. [Entertainment Center], making sexual advances at these screachers, and switching like a train track! AIN’T THAT A ‘HO?

    Crefho Dollar has a lear jet, a 3 million dollar home, a rolls royce, bently, jag, and other material thangs, while his congregation is broker, than broke back mountain!!!

    The Apostle John wrote: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world” (1 John 2:15-16).

    1Corinthians 6:9 reads, “…Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind…”

    idolaters = 1. One who worships idols; 2. One who blindly or excessively admires or adores another. 3.
    the worship of images that are not God

    AREN’T THESE XTIAN ‘HO’s WORSHIPPING THE SCREACHER; DON’T THEY ADORE EACH OTHER AND IS THE PREACHER AN IMAGE OF GOD???

    THE BLACK MESSIAH…THE TRUTH!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/babyboy119/ babyboy119

    your in the medical field? lets play doctor! LOL!!!

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/babyboy119/ babyboy119

    God don’t like ugly… he aint’ to fond of cute either….

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/germandog21/ germandog21

    Who would need to send their boys to eddie LONG dick’s school?

  • http://www.blackplanet.com/jazzwatch/ jazzwatch

    Another $10 would got my suit out of pawn……another $2 would got my shoes out of pawn, too……

    From a 1931 Louis armstrong record “The Lonsome Road”……..

    LOVE those vintage jazz records, baby ;)…..

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_6CT4FBTGA7N2T5KSCNOKYYMOOM whowantz2kno

    I had a REAL ‘fresh’ comment for ya…..I can’t go dere!

    Stop it young man! lol

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