IRS: Churches Should Be Permitted to Endorse Political Candidates

[Everlasting Life]

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said Monday in court documents that churches should be permitted to endorse political candidates.

The move creates an exemption linked to a ban on political activity when it comes to nonprofits, the New York Times reported.

The ban, known as the Johnson Amendment, got its name from former President Lyndon B. Johnson....

....The Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution protects the ability of churches–including pastors and lay Christians–and adherents of other faiths–to freely live out their faith through participating in the political process. And the Supreme Court has made it clear for more than a century–most recently in 2010 in Citizens United v. FEC, that the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment guarantees that citizens can speak as freely through a corporate entity (such as a church) as they can individually about political and social issues.....

IRS: Churches Should Be Permitted to Endorse Political Candidates

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) said Monday in court documents that churches should be permitted to endorse political candidates.

www.breitbart.com

 

[Hol]

I’m praying for my little church to take up this burden. It would help!

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

Wonder if this has anything to do with mosques and religion and government being inseparable in islam
After the Rapture, the faith office could end up being the sharia, halal, persecution, etc. advisors office/national imam, etc.

 

[Tall Timbers]

I'm not sure what to think about this idea. If a Church is a non-profit, which pretty much all probably are, in theory they get tax free status, a benefit from the govmint that isn't enjoyed by all.

Since every American can give tax free gifts, I'd prefer that Churches not be non-profits but the giving of everyone in the congregation shouldn't be taxed until it exceeds the amount allowed everyone to give each year that is tax free. In 2025 that amount is $19000 per person. I should be able to give up to that amount to an organization that isn't a non-profit and since it is a gift from me it shouldn't be taxed in the first place.

If a Church isn't a non-profit, and doesn't receive govmint benefits, then there is no question that the Church is free to endorse or not endorse, regardless of what the IRS currently says.

 

[Margery]

In Canada gifts to churches, and other "charitable institutions" are tax free deductions but you will trigger an audit if you give more than 4% or so. G and I learned that the hard way. So we didn't claim anything over that.

 

[Andiamo]

I don’t trust this at all. They are up to something.