Friends,
Before writing these words, I voted.
In thirty years I have been eligible to vote, I doubt I’ve missed more than one or two opportunities to cast a ballot. I have voted for Presidents and for school board members in tiny rural districts. I have voted in person and by mail; I’ve voted in two states and in six counties. I’ve used paper and ink, punch cards, computers, and Eisenhower-era voting machines with levers and springs.
This was the first time I’ve ever voted with a provisional ballot. Despite changing my voter registration online before I moved into the manse, I didn’t receive a sample ballot in the mail and tried to find myself signed up to vote in two different local precincts. When I finally did vote, no one gave me a sticker.
It was a frustrating experience, but I’m glad I got to vote because I know voting is a gift, an important part of what it means to be an American, a Californian, a resident of Alameda County, and a member of the Oakland community.
Besides, I am an interested observer of the political process. In fact, I tend to get a little bit obsessed about the subject. This obsession can get a little bit tricky for me because I am a pastor and as such my political speech—in certain contexts—can be limited by tax laws that prohibit non-profit organizations like churches from endorsing or opposing political candidates (for example, I cannot say that our Presbyterian heritage, a sound reading of scripture, or simple spiritual discernment should discourage anyone from voting for a certain racist, dishonest, small-handed, former reality TV star, who, in deference to the law, will go unnamed).
I happen to find the current laws around political speech by non-profits to be restrictive, but I know mine is a minority position on the matter, particularly among progressives. It may be that there are societal benefits to the law that I have to consider or appreciate, and if that’s the case I want to know about it. This is why I’m glad our congregation’s earth care and social justice/peacemaking committees are hosting a brunch that will explore the intersection of faith and politics. It seems like a great opportunity to learn together and to talk together as a community of faith about important and complicated issues that also happen to be really interesting.
I hope you will join us on June 19 for a brunch and discussion after celebration. If you cannot make the brunch/discussion, please send me an email, give me a call, or stop by my office to let me know what you think about the issue of tax law and political speech.
I look forward to a stimulating, well-informed conversation!
God’s Peace,
Ben