Churches/Ministries Reported to the IRS by Americans United for Electioneering

Bishop Robert Smith told the congregation, “I will be voting for John McCain and Sarah Palin.”

Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli published a letter in the diocesan newspaper and on its Web site attacking Barack Obama over legal abortion and comparing him to the ancient king who ordered the beheading of John the Baptist.

Church posted large photos on its building of an aborted fetus and a healthy baby. The names of Democratic candidate names appeared under the former and Republican candidates under the latter along with the words “YOU WILL DECIDE.”

Religious body hosted what appeared to be a rally for presidential candidate Barack Obama, featuring his wife, Michelle Obama. During the speech, Ms. Obama promoted her husband’s candidacy.

Pastor Jody Hice urged his congregation to vote for Sen. John McCain and to not vote for Sen. Barack Obama. On a tape recording of the sermon, Hice is heard saying, “When you enter the voting booth I want to urge you not to vote for Barack Obama” and “McCain…that’s who I’m going to be voting for, and I urge you to do the same.”

Pastor Paul Blair told his congregation that as a Christian and as an American citizen, he would be voting for John McCain.

Speaking from the pulpit, Pastor Gus Booth said, “We need to vote for the most righteous of candidates. And it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure that out. The most righteous is John McCain.”

Pastor Luke Emrich said from the pulpit, “I’m telling you straight up I would choose life. I would cast a vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin.”

The Rev. Wiley Drake said from the pulpit, “According to my Bible and in my opinion, there is no way in the world a Christian can vote for Barack Hussein Obama. Mr. Obama is not standing up for anything that is tradition in America.”

The Rev. Francis Pultro told his congregation, “As Christians, it’s clear we should vote for John McCain. He is the only candidate I believe a Christian can vote for.”

Pastor Dan Fisher endorsed John McCain from the pulpit and then issued a press release trumpeting the move.

Pastor endorsed three school board candidates, all of whom were members of his church, from the pulpit, after acknowledging that such endorsements are not permitted.

Pastor delivered a number of sermons attacking Barack Obama. Many were posted on church website. Specifically told congregants not to vote for Obama.

Pastor gave sermon asserting that no Christian could vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. He then sent an e-mail to Americans United announcing that he had delivered this sermon and sent a newspaper article about it.

Group hosted Republican gubernatorial candidate. During a prayer for him, the president of the group noted that there were fund-raising envelopes for the candidate and urged people to use them.

Director of non-profit religious group (and church) issued press release on organization letterhead endorsing Mitt Romney for president. Also posted release on Web site.

Minister used church resources to issue letter endorsing congressional candidate.

Minister allowed presidential candidate Barak Obama to speak during services shortly before the state caucuses. The minister called for Obama’s election, remarking, “The more he speaks, the more he wins my confidence and…if the polls were open today, I would cast my vote for this senator.” He added, “If you can’t support your own, you’re never going to get anywhere….I want to see this man in office.”

Church’s senior pastor endorsed a Republican candidate for county commissioner on church letterhead. The letter was featured on the candidate’s website.

Produced and distributed voter guide encouraging readers to vote for Mike Huckabee.

Produced and distributed voter guide encouraging readers to vote for Mike Huckabee

Jerry Falwell Jr., chancellor of Liberty University, issued an e-mail bulletin on university letterhead endorsing Mike Huckabee for president.

Ministers endorsed Democratic candidates for mayor during church services just days before the election.

Minister endorsed Democratic candidates for mayor during church services just days before the election.

Minister endorsed Democratic candidates for mayor during church services just days before the election.

Endorsed candidate Mike Huckabee on church letterhead and church-based radio show.

Church held fund-raiser for a Democratic member of the Niagara County Legislature who was seeking reelection. The event was listed in the church bulletin and promoted among other local churches.

Bishop Thomas J. Tobin wrote a column in the diocesan newspaper attacking Republican presidential candidate Rudolph Giuliani for his views on abortion. He called Giulinai’s stand “pathetic,” “confusing” and “hypocritical” and compared him to Pontius Pilate.

Head of ministry wrote “devotional” on Web site asserting that voting for Mitt Romney is the same as voting for Satan.

Church allowed Democratic candidate for Senate to hold rally with Democratic leaders and officeholders.

Church distributed biased voter guides produced by the Christian Coalition.

Church hosted rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate and other Democrats.

Church allowed Republican gubernatorial candidate to speak during services. Ran newspaper ad promoting the event.

Pastor attacked Republican senatorial candidate from the pulpit while his Democratic opponent sat in the front row.

Church put up marquee signs attacking Democratic candidates for gonvernor and attorney general.

Church donated money to firm owned by Republican candidate for attorney general.

Pastor endorsed Republican congressional candidate from the pulpit then let her speak to the congregation.

Pastor collected money for Republican gubernatorial candidate in church. Demanded that ten parishioners give $100 and then handed the money to the candidate, who then spoke to the congregation.

Church donated $1,500 to the Kerr County Republican Party over a space of three years.

Church pastor endorsed George W. Bush from the pulpit prior to the November 2004 election. He later expelled nine Democrats from the church because they voted for John Kerry.

Church ran ad in local newspaper announcing that it would transport voters to the polls “in support of President George W. Bush.”

Church hosted Democratic rally featuring presidential candidate John F. Kerry, Al Sharpton and others. Pastor introduced Kerry as “the next president of the United States” and said God had ordained him to run.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy spoke on John Kerry's behalf during morning services. The church's pastor followed Kennedy at the podium and said, “I can't tell you who to vote for, but I can tell you what my mamma told me last week: Stay out the Bushes.”

Democratic Vice Presidential candidate John Edwards appeared during services. Edwards gave an eight-minute speech and then was endorsed by the church's pastor. “I'm not worried about the law,” the pastor said. Referring to Edwards, he added, “I'm asking you to support him.” He also added his belief that Edwards would one day be president.

Church hosted a rally for the Democratic Party featuring speeches by Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, former Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton and other Democrats.

Falwell sent an e-mail from his ministry endorsing George W. Bush for president and urging supporters to give money to a Republican PAC.

Pastor gave sermon bemoaning the fact that not enough evangelicals supported George W. Bush in 2000. He then went on to compare Bush to John F. Kerry, distorting Kerry’s positions to make Bush look like the more appealing candidate.

Pastor issued letter on church letterhead endorsing two school board candidates and attacking incumbents. One of the candidates endorsed was the pastor’s son; the other was a member of the church.

Bishop released pastoral letter ordering Catholics not to vote for candidates who are pro-choice, pro-stem cell research or pro-euthanasia.

Pastor endorsed John Kerry from the pulpit, referring to him as “the next president of the United States.”