‘Righteous’ Minn. Pastors Plan to Defy Tax Law, Endorse Candidates From Pulpit

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Two Minnesota pastors say they will endorse political candidates from the pulpit this Sunday, in direct defiance of federal law that prohibits such politicking at tax-exempt churches: Brad Brandon of Berean Bible Baptist Church in Hastings announced his intentions on his KKMS radio show earlier this week, while Greg Stone of Jesus Assembly of God in St. Peter outlined his plans on Facebook. Stone writes that, unlike most of his sermons, this Sunday’s won’t be available as a podcast. Brandon taunts the “liberal media” to file an IRS complaint against his church. “Do it out of hatred for me,” he urged.

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“I am not going to stop my pursuit of taking on the IRS,” Brandon told listeners on Tuesday. “Somebody has to stand up and fight, so I guess it might as well be me. So on October 17, ladies and gentlemen, I am continuing making this the day. I will endorse the candidates here in the state of Minnesota.”

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He added, “I’m the only guy, so I’m not scared to do it. I’m the righteous that is bold as the lion.”

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Pastor Brandon said his decision to endorse conservative candidates for office has to do with homosexuality.

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“At what point does our responsibility to God trump our responsibility to the government? That’s my question. At what point does that take place? And I have decided that the point is now,” said Brandon. “Because we have hate crimes out there involving speaking out against homosexuality.”