Mixing religion and politics

I'm almost done with the book "Amazing Grace," which isn't exactly a beach read, but is interesting nonetheless--it takes a sociological snapshot of Americans and religion and I've learned quite a bit from it. One of the surveys that they site states that, not surprisingly, Americans really don't care for clergy espousing political views. I totally get that. It bugs me when certain clergy hand out "voter guides" or make it known that true Christians will follow Candidate X. (Unless, of course, they say things I agree with! :) )

And yet a couple times in the last few months, I've made what I thought were pretty benign political statements and have been called out on it because some people don't think they're so benign. In Urban Village's e-newsletter that I sent out yesterday, I encouraged people to consider writing Gov. Pat Quinn and tell him to veto SB744, which would drastically increase gambling in Illinois. United Methodists have historically been opposed to gambling because, among other things, it can have harmful effects on lives and essentially serves as a tax on the poor. (To see more specific reasons, check out this link.) I've asked people in previous churches to do so and haven't had any push-back on it so I made that request again. Two individuals, though, have responded, wondering if I'm overstepping my role as a pastor in doing so. One asked if I wasn't endangering UVC's tax-exempt status and it's a question I've started to investigate. I tend to think that clergy aren't supposed to endorse candidates as opposed to issues, but, again, I'm trying to find out.

Can/should clergy get involved politically? If so, should they ask their congregation to follow suit? I'd guess that most people (in line with the "American Grace" survey) would say no, they shouldn't. I don't do it a lot, but I draw my inspiration from the Old Testament prophets who would sometimes call out the rulers of Israel if the marginalized of society (e.g. the poor, widows) were being ignored. That's part of my own discernment. Are the marginalized being ignored at the expense of those who have much? How one defines "the marginalized", of course, is tricky. One person might say unborn children are marginalized. Another would say young men in jail. There is no easy answer, which is why I don't use my prophetic voice (which I don't claim is particularly strong) a lot. But I also don't think it should be mute. And I would say that about anyone.