[ampaterry]

The break-point is that a church with 501(c)3 status cannot officially endorse a candidate, nor can they speak against a specific candidate, or they are violating the tax-exempt agreement with the government. They cannot put something like this on their church sign, print it in their bulletin, nor can the pastor say such from the pulpit.

To say they must avoid politics altogether is ludicrous; politics and religion are so entertwined that the two cannot be separated.
Abortion.
Gays.
Wars.
Food stamps.
Welfare.
corporal punishment of children.
Self defense.
Possession of weapons.
And a hundred more.
Political issues all, and each one is deeply involved in Religion as well.