Bishop Eddie Long Under Fire to Resign by 'Snakes in the Pulpit ' Author

Bishop Eddie Long is under fire from Reuben Armstrong, the controversial talk show host and author. Armstrong is going to be speaking at a rally next week at the Georgia State Capitol and he is "demanding Bishop Eddie Long step down from his post at the New Birth Missionary Church," according to an interview I had with Reuben Armstrong this morning.

Armstrong said that this is about the "four young boys whose lives may have been changed forever due to the alleged sexual abuse by Bishop Long. This is about any boys who may have came before these boys and any boys who may have come after these boys."

Armstrong wrote the best-selling book "Snakes in the Pulpit," which discusses this type of sexual abuse in the church with young boys. He wrote this book in 2006, in which he named Bishop Long as one of the clergy who was abusing young boys. He was met with accusations of starting rumors at the time. Today, people are listening, says Armstrong in the interview.

Yesterday, Armstrong sent a certified letter to Judge Johnny Panos, the judge who will be hearing the sex abuse cases of these boys. He asked the judge to order Bishop Long to take an HIV/AIDS test if these allegations were found to be true.

Copy of Reuben Armstrong Letter to Judge can be seen HERE

In the interview, Armstrong said that once again "this is about the young boys and their protection." If the allegations are true, which Armstrong believes they are due to his years of research, he believes the boys and their families need to know this.

This request for the HIV/AIDS test is for the four boys in the alleged sex abuse case, and for the many others who may be out there and are afraid to come forward.

Armstrong reiterates that he is not saying that Bishop Long has any kind of sexually transmitted disease, it is just that the alleged behaviors cited in the sexual abuse cases is high-risk behavior when it comes to contracting these diseases.

"Bishop Long's case just skims the surface of the sexual abuse that goes on in the church today," Armstrong said. "There is an on going epidemic of sexual abuse in the churches of all faith. It is time that we all became mandated reporters and stepped in to help the children.

"It would not matter what church this was happening at, or who the perpetrator is, it as our duty as human beings to put a stop to it for the children," Armstrong said during out interview.

In light of this recent public request of STD-testing that Armstrong has made, I asked him if he has had any feedback from the public.

"Yes, many are supporting the fact that I am willing to be the voice for these young boys in the community, while others feel I have no right to get into this business."

This is "not private business when it comes to kids," Armstrong said. "These kids are sons, brothers, nephews, and grandchildren of us all. No one is safe from this type of abuse."

Reference: Interview with Reuben Armstrong