Religious leaders can guide you to spiritual enlightenment, financial stability, better parenting and even a good doctor. But one thing that they're not supposed to do is tell you whom to vote for in November. <\/p>\n
\"I make sure that my congregants are well-informed and can make an intelligent decision,\" said the Rev. Airon Reynolds, pastor of Borden Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Beaumont. \"I make it known that the church cannot endorse a candidate, but I am voting for Barack Obama.\" <\/p>\n
Reynolds skirts the boundary of what he, as a pastor, can legally do more so than other religious leaders in the area. <\/p>\n
According to the IRS tax exempt policy 501(c)(3), churches are prohibited from \"directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign\" or they will lose their tax exemption. <\/p>\n
As fervent as the debate about who would make the better president - at least among religious leaders in Southeast Texas - is how much of an influence should religion have in one's vote. <\/p>\n
Rabbi Joshua Taub from Temple Emanuel in Beaumont takes a stricter interpretation of the IRS law, defining it as a religious figure should not even talk about how candidates stand on an issue. <\/p>\n
\"It is highly inappropriate for any clergy minister to open up a Bible and show how stuff is reflected in the Bible,\" Taub said. \"In reality, you can't offer that type of sermon without offering some type of opinion.\" <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The legality <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Read more here: <\/p>\n
How much influence do churches have in voting booths?<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Religious leaders can guide you to spiritual enlightenment, financial stability, better parenting and even a good doctor. But one thing that they're not supposed to do is tell you whom to vote for in November Continue reading