You probably haven’t heard much about the Bishop Eddie Long sex scandal recently, but the case is moving along.

The first hearing was held for the four sexual coercion lawsuits against “The Bishop,” with both sides opting for mediation to avoid the publicity of a trial.

Yep… it’s official. He’s totally GUILTY in my book!

As I was watching CNN’s Anderson Cooper, as he discussed the implications of Long’s decision to mediate the case instead of fighting it in court. If you follow me on TWITTER, you may have noticed my shock & awe as I watched the report unfold…

Bishop Eddie Long agreeing to mediation of sexual coercion changes everything…. Members of Long’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church have stood by their Bishop throughout this entire ordeal, with many even commenting here in his defense.

I seriously wonder if these recent developments will make New Birth members think twice, or is the Kool-Aid really that strong out there in Lithonia?

Mediation of a sexual allegation is tantamount to an admission of guilt in some form or fashion. Someone innocent of such a charge wouldn’t dare negotiate a deal if the claims against them are baseless and untrue…. would they?

Once the accused agrees to mediation, they forfeit the right to ever claim innocence. Understand that the Bishop stood in front of his pulpit, days after the 4th allegation hit the courthouse and blatantly proclaimed his innocence.

Albeit, he didn’t actually SAY “I’m innocent” but it was kind of implied as he compared himself to David facing a battle with Goliath..

[READ: Bishop Eddie Long Wants You To Know… TRANSCRIPT + VIDEO]

In essence, once Long agreed to the mediation, he admitted to some degree that he is guilty of “something” and if the mediation is successful, we’ll never know what that is.

Long’s New Birth congregation,  as well as the general public, all want him to publicly address the allegations.  But we all know that’s not gonna happen. So unless mediation falls through and the parties end up in court, we will just have to take what’s been revealed so far and make our own assessments.

But in doing so we should all consider this…

Long agreed to a confidential, closed door mediation with plaintiffs who alleged that he sexually coerced them when they were young boys in his congregation.  He did so ONLY to avoid a public trial, where presumably more details would be brought to light.

I’m sure Jamal Parris’ emotional revelations didn’t help.

[WATCH: Jamal Parris (Long Accuser) Breaks His Silence… VIDEO]

Mediation is often used in business dealings but in a case like this, were someone is facing a sex charge, I don’t see where there is a grey area. Bishop Long adamantly denied the allegations and had he not said ANYTHING, perhaps mediation wouldn’t be viewed as a acknowledgment of guilt…. but he did, so it is.

I’ve said all along that Long would cut a check and hope that this all will go away. Looks like I was right.

Morris O’Kelly of the Huffington Post sums it up quite nicely:

Long has said that he is “not a perfect man,” outlandishly compared his plight to that of David when confronting Goliath. We all remember Long admonishing his congregation and news media, “I’ve got five rocks and I haven’t thrown one yet.”

If mediation is his first “rock,” then a complete admission of guilt must be the next. There’s just nowhere else to go. Instead of opting for the opportunity to clear his name for the sake of his congregation and legacy; Long has chosen to quietly, secretly, address the allegations of sexual coercion; presumably with a sealed “mutual agreement.”

Recognize the strategy for what it is and its obvious transparency. Long is forfeiting the opportunity to clear his name publicly to pay for his sins privately — pun absolutely intended.

The court has only been tasked with determining whether Bishop Long is liable for sexual coercion, whether he used his power, influence and more specifically, lavish gifts as a pathway to sexual relationships with at least four young males. In a court of law, Bishop Long conceivably could have been found “not guilty” (of the charges) but still could have engaged in the sexual relationships. In other words, he would still be guilty in an ethical or moral sense with his congregation. The alleged relationships mean multiple adulterous affairs, with a homosexual twist — not a good look for homophobic Bishops.

Translation: Even if Long were to win the suit, he could still lose everything. “Not guilty” of the charges is not to be confused with being “innocent,” and Bishop Long seems to clearly understand the distinction. Readers and the New Birth congregation need to understand it as well. Do not let these actions pass unnoticed or without response.

For a completely innocent man with no extra-marital dalliances (heterosexual or otherwise), a trial would be a welcome option to pursue complete and irrevocable exoneration. In fact, it’s the ONLY option. In this instance, the accusers would tell their side, Long tells his and he presumably walks out of court with his image, career and legacy intact.

A completely innocent man that is…

There is no compromise on the truth. Either Long is innocent or he is guilty. A court deems someone “guilty” or “not guilty” but the truth determines innocence or guilt.

O.J. Simpson was found “not guilty.” Laurence Powell and Stacey Koon (Rodney King) were found “not guilty.” Don’t confuse court verdicts with the truth.

The truth in this instance is far more complex than just the stories of the four accusers. There are implied issues of sexual misconduct, marital infidelity, undertones of pedophilia and child molestation and questions about the authenticity of the mission of the LongFellows Youth Academy. Long’s possible guilt extends beyond the courtroom, which is the fly in the ointment — and mediation more than just suggests he has unclean hands. READ MORE

The mediation is scheduled to begin in February 2011 and if the parties can’t come to an agreement, a tentative trial date has been set for July 11, 2011.