PASTOR TURNS AGAINST MAGIC KINGDOM : CHURCH LEADER VOICES DISILLUSIONMENT WITH COMPANY'S DIRECTION.

Byline: Reed Johnson Daily News Staff Writer

The Rev. Wiley Drake didn't always have a problem with the Happiest Place on Earth.

After all, Drake's First Southern Baptist Church in Buena Park is within seven miles of Disneyland. Drake and his family pay frequent visits to see Mickey, Goofy and friends.

And until recently, the conservative pastor considered Disney to be the reigning champ of pro-Christian family values.

But on Wednesday Drake persuaded 13,000 of his fellow Southern Baptists to pass an amended resolution calling for a boycott of the Disney entertainment empire, including its fabled theme park.

In the view of Drake and many co-believers, the magnificent Magic Kingdom has degenerated into a den of inequity that openly promotes homosexuality and demeans Christian beliefs.

``When the amendment passed, I took off the Mickey Mouse tie I had on,'' said the 52-year-old pastor, speaking by phone from the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, where the Southern Baptist Convention, which represents 16 million members, is holding its annual meeting.

``The overwhelming passage of this today shows that Southern Baptists are fed up with Disney,'' Drake said.

Drake isn't severing all his ties to Disney, at least not yet. He and several family members are holding on to their annual Disney passes, purchased before learning of Disney's policy initiated in January extending corporate benefits to domestic partners of gay and lesbian employees.

``I'm not gonna throw them away because they're already paid for,'' Drake said.

Drake said his disillusionment with Disney began some time ago when the company began drifting away from its traditional, politically safe corporate image.

``Disney has taken a big departure from family values in many areas,'' he said. ``It's not just this gay thing.''

Drake's outspoken advocacy of a boycott is characteristic of the energetic Arkansas native, said Steve Bryan, youth director of the 200-member Orange County congregation.

In the past, Drake has used his bully pulpit as director of the Southern California Chapter of the American Family Association to lead anti-abortion rallies and target other businesses that sold products that Drake deemed anti-Christian.

In March Drake led a campaign by Buena Park residents against a proposed adult movie theater.

``He does have backbone,'' Bryan said. ``He wants to keep us on a moral track.''

Last year, Bryan said, the Republican Drake made an unsuccessful bid for a seat on the Buena Park City Council. He intends to try again this year, Bryan said.

Bryan further described the pastor as a ``hands-on'' minister who ``doesn't mind getting his hands dirty.'' He's often found at the church making repairs and administering programs to feed the homeless and distribute clothing to needy families.

However, Drake has rubbed some parishioners the wrong way.

``We've had some members that have left because his leadership style does turn some people off,'' Bryan said.

Drake says he's hoping for an apology from Disney CEO Michael Eisner. Failing that, Drake vows that he and his four children and numerous grandchildren will find other ways to amuse themselves.

``There's a lot of other good things going on in L.A.,'' he said. ``There's Snoopy at Knott's Berry Farm.''

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Photo

Photo: The Rev. Wiley Drake of the First Southern Baptist C hurch in Buena Park speaks to reporters at the Louisiana Superdome.

Associated Press