In a recent sermon condemning homosexuality in the church, Pastor Kim Burrell suggested Bishop Eddie Long’s publicly unidentified illness is divine punishment for alleged same-sex dalliances.
But GRAMMY® Award-winning gospel singer Yolanda Adams is defending the ailing leader against what she views as a verbal “attack.”
“As a person who has gay relatives and friends, I had to put these words in the atmosphere to combat the unwarranted and unproven attack on my friend Bishop Long,” wrote the 55-year-old Yolanda Adams Morning Show host on Instagram.
“Hateful Words are never profitable to the cause of Christ in the world,” continued the AMAZING 102.5 FM radio personality, refuting loud, but unproven whispers that the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor is dying of HIV/AIDS resulting from years of covert homosexual relationships.
After reading the pointed commentary, it came as a shock to many that Adams, who usually remains neutral and non-judgmental of others (She won't even speak against actress Monique's open marriage), lashed out at a fellow gospel singer on a public platform.
One Instagram follower, Wa'Tesha Aimé, expressed surprise that Adams would go after Pastor Burrell online. “Sure the people who don't KNOW her are speaking out but here is someone I know she calls friend. That hurts,” she wrote.
Aimé continued, “I just hope and I pray that before you posted this tweet, you called her, talked to her, asked her, and heard her heart. After all the Bible also says in Matthew 18:15 If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him ALONE: if he shall hear thee, thou has gained thy brother. I truly hope that is the case and that you wouldn't shun a woman I heard you call your sister to save your ‘celebrity.’”
Though Adams seems upset with Burrell, her former BET “Sunday Best” co-host, the 44-year-old Love and Liberty Fellowship Church International pastor did not directly say Long indeed has AIDS.
But GRAMMY® Award-winning gospel singer Yolanda Adams is defending the ailing leader against what she views as a verbal “attack.”
“As a person who has gay relatives and friends, I had to put these words in the atmosphere to combat the unwarranted and unproven attack on my friend Bishop Long,” wrote the 55-year-old Yolanda Adams Morning Show host on Instagram.
“Hateful Words are never profitable to the cause of Christ in the world,” continued the AMAZING 102.5 FM radio personality, refuting loud, but unproven whispers that the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church pastor is dying of HIV/AIDS resulting from years of covert homosexual relationships.
After reading the pointed commentary, it came as a shock to many that Adams, who usually remains neutral and non-judgmental of others (She won't even speak against actress Monique's open marriage), lashed out at a fellow gospel singer on a public platform.
One Instagram follower, Wa'Tesha Aimé, expressed surprise that Adams would go after Pastor Burrell online. “Sure the people who don't KNOW her are speaking out but here is someone I know she calls friend. That hurts,” she wrote.
Aimé continued, “I just hope and I pray that before you posted this tweet, you called her, talked to her, asked her, and heard her heart. After all the Bible also says in Matthew 18:15 If thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him ALONE: if he shall hear thee, thou has gained thy brother. I truly hope that is the case and that you wouldn't shun a woman I heard you call your sister to save your ‘celebrity.’”
Though Adams seems upset with Burrell, her former BET “Sunday Best” co-host, the 44-year-old Love and Liberty Fellowship Church International pastor did not directly say Long indeed has AIDS.
When speaking about the controversial clergyman in the context of warning believers against living a lifestyle of homosexual “perversion” at the risk of death, Burrell said, “I’ve never watched anything as heartbreaking as watching Bishop Eddie Long go down to nothing. It’s an embarrassment to the church!”
While pacing back and forth in her pulpit, being met with shouts of affirmation from the audience, the much-criticized charismatic teacher then made reference to rumors of Long’s disease.
“Because nobody would be thinking that you have AIDS if a homosexual man didn’t come out and reveal what you did behind closed doors,” said Burrell, referencing Long’s case that shocked the entire faith community.
In 2010, charges were brought against the high-profile Bishop by four men: Anthony Flagg, Spencer LeGrande, Jamal Parris and Maurice Robinson. Each claimed that Long coerced them into sexual relations by leveraging his influence and lavishing them with gifts.
Though Long, 63, initially publicly promised to fight the claims, in an unexpected twist, in 2011 he settled out of court. Since that time, the frail preacher has not been able to escape the public’s presumption of guilt. Nevertheless, he maintains that he cannot reveal any further information due to the terms of the settlement.
Thus, in Burrell’s fiery sermon, she said of the accusations against Long, “And you have yet to deny it.”
Adams, whose decision to forego neutrality is drawing suspicion, also said on Instagram, “Jesus said ‘They will know you by your love."
Since Burrell's sermon went viral, angering many within the pro-gay community and some within the church, she has removed her response videos from Facebook and gone silent on social media.
Despite the uproar, the vocalist who is featured on the Hidden Figures single "I See A Victory," written and produced by Pharrell, does have loyal supporters that perfectly agree with her stance, and are praying for her despite the backlash.
While pacing back and forth in her pulpit, being met with shouts of affirmation from the audience, the much-criticized charismatic teacher then made reference to rumors of Long’s disease.
“Because nobody would be thinking that you have AIDS if a homosexual man didn’t come out and reveal what you did behind closed doors,” said Burrell, referencing Long’s case that shocked the entire faith community.
In 2010, charges were brought against the high-profile Bishop by four men: Anthony Flagg, Spencer LeGrande, Jamal Parris and Maurice Robinson. Each claimed that Long coerced them into sexual relations by leveraging his influence and lavishing them with gifts.
Though Long, 63, initially publicly promised to fight the claims, in an unexpected twist, in 2011 he settled out of court. Since that time, the frail preacher has not been able to escape the public’s presumption of guilt. Nevertheless, he maintains that he cannot reveal any further information due to the terms of the settlement.
Thus, in Burrell’s fiery sermon, she said of the accusations against Long, “And you have yet to deny it.”
Adams, whose decision to forego neutrality is drawing suspicion, also said on Instagram, “Jesus said ‘They will know you by your love."
Since Burrell's sermon went viral, angering many within the pro-gay community and some within the church, she has removed her response videos from Facebook and gone silent on social media.
Despite the uproar, the vocalist who is featured on the Hidden Figures single "I See A Victory," written and produced by Pharrell, does have loyal supporters that perfectly agree with her stance, and are praying for her despite the backlash.
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