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.

"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."

Reynolds skirts the boundary of what he, as a pastor, can legally do more so than other religious leaders in the area.

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.

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.

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.

"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."

The legality

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How much influence do churches have in voting booths?