Curses, (Not) Foiled Again!: Dr. Drake’s Diabolical Diatribes Won’t Stop Americans United

Some of you have probably suspected it for a while, but it’s now official: Americans United is cursed. There’s a press release and everything.

Americans United asked the IRS yesterday to investigate the First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park, Calif., and its pastor, Dr. Wiley S. Drake, for illegal electioneering. Drake released a statement on church letterhead announcing his intent to endorse Mike Huckabee for president of the United States and affirmed his decision on his church-based radio show.

Drake responded almost immediately with a hastily written press release calling for our demise.

“In light of the recent attack from the ememies (sic) of God,” he wrote, “I ask the children of God to go into action with Imprecatory Prayer.” An imprecatory prayer is one that asks God to curse, injure or kill one’s adversaries.

Drake singled out my boss, Joe Conn, and colleague Jeremy Leaming, for “they are those who lead the attack.” I had the misfortune of listening to “The Wiley Drake Show” all week, but was otherwise spared Drake’s vengeance.

Good thing, too, because losing my teeth, having my bones turn to oil, and seeing my “fatherless” children wander for eternity in “desolate places” sounds terribly unpleasant.

Oklahoma Baptist minister Bruce Prescott has organized a counter-prayer campaign from his blog, Mainstream Baptist. Other blogs, like Progressive Baptist and Patriotboy are more colorful, but also very supportive of AU, Joe and Jeremy.

News of the dispute has also spread across the pond and to blogs published by USA Today and the Arkansas Times. There’s already a great discussion underway at The Carpetbagger Report.

Many thanks to all of you who helped expose Drake’s foolish shenanigans. We’re lucky to have you as friends, colleagues, and supporters.

By Lauren Smith