Friday, August 17, 2007
Group: Pastor prays for death
Wiley Drake of Buena Park church singles out group after it makes electioneering accusation.By SERENA MARIA DANIELS
The Orange County Register
BUENA PARK ? The pastor of First Southern Baptist Church fired off an email to supporters this week saying they should pray against two adversaries by reciting a lengthy Bible passage that includes the phrase, ?Let his days be few; and let another take his office.''
The adversaries are members of a watchdog group that had sent accusations to the IRS that Pastor Wiley Drake was illegally using church funds to endorse a potential presidential candidate.Washington, D.C.-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State accused Drake of illegal electioneering for using church letterhead to write an endorsement for Republican Mike Huckabee.
"In light of the recent attack from the enemies of God I ask the children of God to go into action with Imprecatory Prayer," Drake said in his Tuesday statement. His supporters should recite Psalms 109:1-31 that also includes, ?children be fatherless, and his wife a widow.?
On Thursday Drake, 63, said in an interview that he was not, in fact, personally asking for the death of the Americans United members, rather that the Lord fulfill His will by condemning those who are against the Christian word.
?It doesn't matter what I want ? it matters what God wants,? Drake said of his call for prayer against the group. ?It's time Americans United was put in their place. We're asking God to do that.?
One of the group's staffers singled out was communications director Joe Conn.
?He sure seemed to be kind of using the prayer the way he wanted to,? Conn said in a telephone interview. ?He seems to think of God as his personal hit man. I personally don't think it's very Christian-like to pray for anybody's death.?
Conn said that government and religion often are cause for heated debate, but he has not had such a strong reaction from a pastor.
?You would expect that from unhinged people,? Conn said.
Drake said he did use church letterhead to endorse Huckabee in an Aug. 11 press release that said, ?After very serious prayer and consideration I announce today that I am going to personally endorse Mike Huckabee.?
On Thursday, Drake said, ?It concerns me that Americans United is trying to stifle freedom of speech. They say a pastor can't speak on politics, but I've got news for them. I can and I will.?
Churches and other nonprofit organizations are exempt from paying taxes but must not use resources to influence legislation or participate in political campaigns supporting or opposing candidates, the IRS Web site says.
According to the Federal Elections Commission's Web site, Drake has not donated to Huckabee's exploratory campaign, nor has anyone using the church's address; the church property includes a 52-bed homeless shelter.
Drake, a former second vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, has been vocal against abortion, homosexuals and gay marriage.
Buena Park city officials have clashed with him over the homeless shelter, at one point saying it was overcrowded after nearby residents complained.
William Ruffins, 54, a resident and head of security at the church's shelter, did not know about the controversy surrounding Drake. But he said the pastor should be allowed to endorse whomever he wants.
?Maybe (using the letterhead) was a mistake, maybe it wasn't a mistake, I don't know,? Ruffins said. ?Maybe he didn't have any other paper.?
Drake said the accusations will not stop him from continuing his ministry.
?It does concern me, though, that this is a distraction from the rest of my work here,? Drake said.
