BUENA PARK, Calif. (AP) — Southern Baptist pastor Wiley Drake said Wednesday that he is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service for his endorsement of GOP presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee in a press release written on church stationery.
Under federal tax law, church officials may legally discuss politics, but they cannot endorse candidates or parties without putting their tax-exempt status at risk. Most who do so receive only a warning.
Drake, a prominent pastor in the Southern Baptist Convention, said he received a 14-page letter from the IRS on Feb. 7.
IRS spokesman Rafael Tulino said Wednesday that he could not comment.
On Aug. 11, Drake wrote a press release on letterhead from the First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park that announced his personal endorsement of Huckabee, who also is an ordained Baptist minister.
"After very serious prayer and consideration, I announce today that I am going to personally endorse Mike Huckabee," the release said. "I ask all of my Southern Baptist brothers and sister to consider getting behind Mike and helping him all you can."
He added: "I believe God has chosen Mike for such an hour, and I believe of all those running Mike Huckabee will listen to God."
Two days later, Wiley repeated his endorsement on his church-based Internet show, "The Wiley Drake Show."
A complaint was filed with the IRS by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.
"I commend the IRS for investigating Pastor Drake's flagrant abuse of church resources," Barry Lynn, executive director for Americans United, said in a statement.
Drake defended his news release and comments on the talk show, saying that he was only offering his personal endorsement of Huckabee — not the church's.
"I think I'm perfectly within my rights and I am upset," he said in an interview.
His attorney, Eric Stanley, said Drake and other pastors have a right to free speech, even in politics.
"They can feel free to personally endorse candidates. It was not a church endorsement and he made that very clear," said Stanley, who is representing Drake on behalf of the Alliance Defense Fund, a conservative Christian legal group.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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why would a place of birth matter they all were and are apart of a org that is bent on two things, try studing what they have said instead of listening to your media. 1) To force all people to become Muslum and 2) to dominate the world if not rule it. So as far as another Islamic state hating us THEY already do and have for years and years. As for torture, That is debatable whether it is or not according to many experts. We had a democratic President I am ashame to say and he did nothing, nothing to stop terrorism and because of this we suffered the consquences of his presidency. 911. At least this President while admitting he is not perfect has stood for and not been ashamed to stand up to his critics and not bow down to you all. He has stood for what he believes in something that is uncommon in your political party.. So blow it out your pipe. I am glad you and those who believe as you do where not in charge during our war of 1776. we would probably be subjects of Britian still. Gods Blessing
In Christ
Tom
Yes, we lost a lot of Americans on 9/11. But the majority of the terrorists were Saudi, the ones Bush wants to sell a lot of military equipment to. I have seen how much support or opposition for the war is based on party lines. Would GOP supporters be this supportive of a Democratic president who launched a war into the most politically volatile area of the planet on the basis of false intelligence? Would they have overlooked the administrations complete inability to find Osama? Or the terrorists who launched the anthrax during the same period? Who infringed upon the civil liberties and rights of Americans while failing to secure our borders? A man who claimed that the greatest inspiration of his life was Jesus, but gets upset when someone wants to know why he advocates torture? A man who's "bring it on" statements caused additional suffering among our military. A man who would call into question your patriotism when you questioned any part of his agenda? Would the GOP supporters of Bush have supported a Democratic president as vehemently?
And how long will these democratic reforms last once Islamic politicians start making laws? I'm afraid in the end all we are going to end up with is another Islamic country that hates us.
so ifeelfine you don't listen to those who have come home talking about the good that is being done over there. How people can vote, women can go to school and get into business. How kids have a chance at a life that is worth living with out fearing that the ruler or his sons will torture and kill them or their family if they say the wrong thing. You know what I am glad the french back in the 1776's didn't have the same attitude as you all. We are at war, You may not like it you may not agree with the way it is being run, but the fact remains on sept 11 2001 we were attacked and lost almost 3000 americans. since that time we have had them bottled up in there own lands. And at the same time helping them bring true freedom to these lands. War sucks but it was brought to us first. As I have said before, Jesus said blessed are the peacemakers. Sometime to make peace you have to fight.
Gods Blessing
In Christ
Tom
Tom: no more than God would support someone (GWB) who sent thousands of people to their deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan. And virtually ignored the least amongst us in New Orleans during the flood. And supports the wealthiest people while all but ignoring the poor.
In researching whom to vote for, I was quite surprised by what I learned about Mike Huckabee, such as his record of being soft on crime and that he is listed with Hillary Clinton on the list of TOP TEN MOST CORRUPT POLITICIANS for 2007: www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-watch-announces-list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-2007
There is animal cruelty in his family: www.newsweek.com/id/78241
Info from Huckabee's skeleton closet, including his record of releasing violent criminals, can be found here: www.realchange.org/huckabee.htm
He may be an ex-preacher, but I believe actions speak louder than words.
I am reminded of the story of Richard Wurmbrand, founder of a ministry now known as The Voice of the Martyrs.
A year after the Communist takeover of Romania, the government invited all religious leaders to a congress held at the Parliament building. Pastor Wurmbrand and his wife were among over 4000 pastors, priests, and bishops who attended. After choosing Joseph Stalin as honorary president of the congress, the religious leaders began making their way to the stage to praise and declare their loyalty to the new regime as their speeches were broadcast worldwide by radio.
When Pastor Wurmbrand and his wife could stomach the lies no longer, he went to the microphone and began to proclaim the message of Christ. A Communist official immediately tried to silence him, but Richard kept talking. Eventually the audience began to cheer for the brave pastor who was willing to risk everything to speak the truth they had been afraid to defend.
The shouts and clapping of the crowd persisted even after the microphone wires were cut, but Richard Wurmbrand's obedience cost him far more than his tax status. Over the next two decades, he spent years in prison being tortured for his faith.
Less than a century has passed since that fateful day in Romania, yet the Church has forgotten the lesson that could have spared us. Tragically, pastors like Wiley Drake* are rare and priceless. They will be remembered as heroes of the faith long after they are silenced.
Meanwhile, unless and until the rest of God’s people rise up to be heard, we and our heirs will suffer the consequences our apathy, ignorance, and cowardice have fostered in a culture exponentially decaying because it has rejected the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
*Dr. Wiley Drake is a dedicated servant of the Lord who unapologetically upholds truth and righteousness over political-correctness. For those who have an ear to hear, “The Wiley Drake Show” airs daily Monday through Thursday at 9:00 a.m. PST, and can be listened to live over the Internet at www.crusaderadio.com. Pastor Drake also leads an hour of international telephonic prayer every day from 5:00 – 6:00 a.m. PST.
Tom,
I totally agree with you about Obama! Some people are saying he maybe the antichrist. All I know, is he is a smooth talker and not to be trusted! He has many in this world snowballed! Watch him!
I am all for Mike Huckabee. I see a true man of God made for this moment. I know personally theat the devil uses people to rise up and attyack character ect. when you take a stand for God! God has been known to help the under dog! He can do it again. You do know the story of David and Goliath. I have to stand before God and give account for everything I do. So do you! That includes who we vote for! I'm voting for what I know God wants from me. Can you tell him the same man you vote for stands for God's values?
Interesting comment chicago. God would support someone who supports the murder of unborn children even moments before they are born. Doesn't he say thou shall not murder? That would be going against His own commandments wouldn't it. Strange indeed
Gods Blessing
In Christ
Tom
THE IRS IS about to be eliminated by Mike Huckabee. I also believe that if the republican nomination was redone within the states Mike huckabee would be well ahead. He had so much negative press by the media and negative advertisments by Pro-Romney talk show hosts as well as financial support from the MASONS and the Mormon Church all supporting Mitt Romnet the Mason.
Want Proof
http://evolutionfacts.townhall.com
Just click "Hidden Agendas" "Mormon Church" and the Mason - Mormon Connection. Once you click the Mormon Church it is so Powerful that every Mormon Church will close down once presented with this information.
pvlman: I agree!
If this were a PERSONAL endorsement (of which he has the right) this pastor should have used his PERSONAL stationary! ANY written correspondance on church stationary can and does mean it's official CHURCH business or communication!
Drake stupidly used church stationary to distribute a news release about his personal endorsement of Huckabee I'm not sure if was stupidity or intentional, to create a hot topic Interesting in how a group that enjoys privileges above an beyond everyone else, claims they are under attack
Re: chicago24 "That's odd. I listened to God and he told me to support Obama.
"
Then go ahead to do it. No one forces you not to do.
Hey BoldEvangelical, were you just as outraged when the Reagan administration investigated black churches with the IRS because the African-American establishment refused to support him?
Also, do you really want the IRS abolished which will result in a badly regressive tax system: which is a higher percentage of income taken for taxes from those with the least wealth? The $1.00 tax I may pay on clothing is a much higher percentage of my $8.75 per hour wage than it is of President Bush's multi-million dollar per year income (when you count all of his investments, etc.). That hardly seems fair. But then again, I don't have financial clout to be cared about.
That's odd. I listened to God and he told me to support Obama.
The article is wrong! Pastors, like all citizens, retain their personal right to make political endorsements. He stated it was his personal and not the church's. Also, his TV show is separate from the church. Again, it's his personal program and he made his personal endorsement. It angered me when President Bill Clinton used the IRS to target evangelicals and other Christian conservatives. It is outright sickening when George W. Bush's IRS uses this tactic!
Mike Huckabee is a Southern Baptist Minister and Pastor Wiley Drake has the right to endorse whom he chooses. I choose Huckabee!
The IRS should be abolished and Huckabee will do that too.
Christian stand up for your rights or lose them!
Read my blog for how Lincoln won and how Huckabee can win the same way
http://boldevangelical.blogtownhall.com/default.as ...