This is becoming a sadly familiar story. Yet another pastor in the rabidly anti-gay Church of God in Christ—the largest Pentecostal denomination in the United States and the second largest African-American denomination—is accused of sexual misconduct against teenage boys. A Las Vegas pastor was arrested on 11 sexual abuse charges ... five years after a similar case against him was dropped, reports the Las Vegas Sun.
Billy Eckstine McCurdy, 57, pastor of the Revival Temple Church of God in Christ, was taken into custody at 1 p.m. Friday at his home in North Las Vegas without incident, police said. The alleged victims say they were forced into a sexual relationship with McCurdy, police said. They allege he used his position in the church and biblical scriptures to control them and force them into sex acts, police said.
Police said McCurdy spent a great deal of time with young people, including on youth trips to Arizona and California. Police said he conducted events at his home with young men, including sleepovers, and allowed teenagers — two victims involved in the case, among them — to live with him for extended periods. According to the criminal complaint, the alleged crimes happened between April 2007 and October 2009.
The teen boys testified at a grand jury, which indicted McCurdy last Thursday on six counts of sexual assault and five counts of open or gross lewdness. McCurdy is being held at the Clark County Detention Center without bail, adds the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Detectives believe "other victims" have not come forward.
Similar charges were dropped in 2005, after North Las Vegas Police arrested McCurdy after a teenage boy told investigators the pastor fondled him while they slept in the same bed. Will McCurdy's congregation stand by their pastor ... again? Or will they blame the boys for coming forward?
This becomes only the latest charge of sexual misconduct within the Church of God in Christ, which is well known for attracting many closeted black gay men and rivals the Catholic Church for the many sexual predators within its leadership. COGIC is embroiled in numerous lawsuits and criminal investigations around clergy sexual abuse—there is a micro-site on the Church website—and has been accused of covering up sexual misconduct cases for decades. On January 30, a former COGIC pastor was sentenced to 20 years on charges he raped a teenage girl some 25 years ago. One church reportedly has four convicted pedophiles on its payroll. And in March 2010, an Alabama COGIC bishop was also accused of sexual misconduct.
In November 2010 at the Church of God in Christ's Holy Convocation Youth Service in Memphis, the infamously "ex-gay"—or should we say merely "re-closeted"—Grammy Award winning gospel singer Donnie McClurkin delivered an incendiary rant against gays and gay youth and compared them to vampires. Glass houses, stones, etc..
Look at that picture! That's one of the most sinister looking queens I've ever seen. Who the hell would leave their young teenage boy alone with Minister Eveline?...with her processed hair.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 12 October 2010 at 12:26
HaHa!
**Points and Laughs**
Posted by: Black Pegasus | 12 October 2010 at 12:27
It's all coming down. I knew it was only a matter of time before COGIC got in the mix. This is only the beginning.
Posted by: Trey | 12 October 2010 at 13:47
This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. COGIC bishops, deacons and pastors have been using scripture for decades to pressure members into having sex. It happened to a female cousin of mine and I know of several closeted and pedophile COGIC pastors who do this.
And yes, let's see what the church says this time!
Posted by: Former COGIC | 12 October 2010 at 14:50
He looks CREEPY!!
Posted by: Isis | 12 October 2010 at 15:59
COGIC folk scare me ... I remember going to ONE service with some cousins as a kid, and it was like being in the damn twilight zone. I have not been back since. Those people are not right.
Posted by: Mystic Stranger | 12 October 2010 at 16:07
in the words of Niecy Nash... BABYY, WE CLEANED HOUSE!!
Posted by: no more sheets | 12 October 2010 at 16:25
While allegations like this do not suprise me it is most upsetting to hear especially when a minor is involved. However, he should not be used as a representation of an entire denomination of people.
Posted by: terrell | 12 October 2010 at 18:25
@ Terrell:
Sigh. I've been reading your comments on this blog for the last week and you seem almost programmed to defend anything hypocritical in the church, especially on gay issues. A few people have said they have sympathy for you. I was in COGIC once and understand ... but you come across judgmental and like the church people who are judging you and talking about you. It comes across as tiring and sanctimonious.
I applaud you for trying to take baby steps, but we're grown men here. Many of us are not conflicted about our sexuality and dont need another black gay man who is closeted to preach to us. Srsly.
No one is condemning an entire denomination. But the fact remains many COGIC bishops and pastors have been involved and named in sexual misconduct. And there are many gays hiding in COGIC. And its a very antigay church.
Posted by: Former COGIC | 12 October 2010 at 18:41
@Former COGIC, If I come off that way I apologize sincerily. I didnt defend him or his actions and you are correct their are many in positions of authority abusing it within COGIC and other denominations.
Posted by: terrel | 12 October 2010 at 18:57
I'd like to know what scriptures encourages grown ass men to molest young teenage boys? Is it in Genesis? Is it Ephesians? Inquiring minds want to know.......
Posted by: Fred | 12 October 2010 at 19:13
@Former COGIC
I apologize if I have come off that way. I'll just stop commenting.
Posted by: terrell | 12 October 2010 at 19:32
Goodness! These pastors are squeezing, turning and thumping young boys like there is a run on fresh produce.
Posted by: Honut Sinti | 12 October 2010 at 21:35
Terrell, You really don't have to apologize to me. I'm just one voice here. And please don't stop commenting, no one has said that. I'm simply noting, maybe too forceful, that a lot of your comments come across as judgmental and church based. I understand where you are coming from, I was in COGIC for 30 years and was closeted. But that was years ago, I had to grow up and decide to live a healthy spiritual life for me. But we're all grown gay men here and the majority of us do not want to be preached to. If I was too forceful I apologize.
And fwiw, I know COGIC very well. There is a problem in church leadership, which is why they keep having sexual abuse complaints. It's actually very common for evangelical and doctrinaire (ie Catholic) churches... the more they preach against certain 'sins', the more they are likely hiding something. You rarely see cases like this in less restrictive churches, especially those that preach LGBT inclusiveness.
Posted by: Former COGIC | 12 October 2010 at 23:04
@Former COGIC
His comments come from his "divine conviction" that a homosexual lifestyle is incompatible with Christ' teachings.
Posted by: DFS | 12 October 2010 at 23:32
Lets pray for those boys because this sh!t is crazy. Once again, the heterosexual world will stereotype us because of these phony bast@rds in the churches.
Posted by: Mel Smith | 13 October 2010 at 00:35
Its sad and upsetting that anyone in a position of such influence and power would use ANY church or SCRIPTURE to justify what they are doing. Its a good thing that some of it is being exposed and discussed. Not EVERYONE will judge the whole denomination by the actions of a few, although I am sure some will.... we have to work together to eliminate the hate and fear that continues to seperate people. Regardless of sexual orientation, race, political views etc.
Posted by: danielle mccleary | 15 October 2010 at 08:49
Donnie McClurkin... Equals from me: HAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAA HAHAHAHAHHAHAHHHHHAHAAHAHAHHAAAA! (But sadly, not really funny at all...I wish that closeted queen would shut the hell up!!) He hasn't fooled some of us from day one, who "knew" him before he ever became famous. He's still sleeping with men and several he's paid off. I'm so glad I left COGIC over 20yrs ago! Gosh!!
Posted by: KAK | 16 October 2010 at 16:25