One of These Things Is Not Like the Others

Below are seven recent statements from religious leaders in the United States. Six are accused of being in violation of US law. One is the sacred exercise of free speech. Can you guess which is which?

Now is the time to play our game, the time to play our game:

1) Bethlehem Baptist Church, Bethlehem, Ga.: According to press accounts, Pastor Jody Hice "urged his congregation to vote for Sen. John McCain and to not vote for Sen. Barack Obama."

2) Fairview Baptist Church, Fairview, Okla.: The Associated Press reported that Pastor Paul Blair "says he told his congregation that as a Christian and as an American citizen, he would be voting for John McCain."

3) Warroad Community Church, Warroad, Minn.: Pastor Gus Booth told his congregation, "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."

4) Calvary Chapel, Philadelphia, Pa.: The Rev. Francis Pultro told the congregation, "As Christians it's clear we should vote for John McCain. He is the only candidate I believe a Christian can vote for."

5) First Southern Baptist Church, Buena Park, Calif.: The Rev. Wiley Drake said, 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."

6) New Life Church, West Bend, Wisc.: Speaking from the pulpit, Pastor Luke Emrich said, "I'm telling you straight up I would choose life. I would cast a vote for John McCain and Sarah Palin."

7) The well-known preacher Hamza Yusuf, who is particularly influential among the young, received thunderous applause when he called on America's Muslims to vote for the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, Barack Obama.

it's a brain teaser. Please give it some deep thought and send me your guesses. The winning contestant will receive a free copy of The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama upon its release on inauguration day. Good luck!