Declaring that religious freedom is "under threat," President Donald Trump has vowed to repeal a rarely enforced IRS rule that says pastors who endorse candidates from the pulpit risk losing their tax-exempt status. "I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution," Trump said at the National Prayer Breakfast yesterday, a high-profile event bringing together faith leaders, politicians and dignitaries. Trump's pledge was a nod to his evangelical Christian supporters, who helped power his White House win. So far he has not detailed his plans for doing away with the rule, which he has previously promised to rescind. Named after then-Sen. Lyndon Johnson, the regulation has been in place since 1954 for tax-exempt charities, including churches, though it is very rare for a church to actually be penalised. Abolishing the amendment would require action by Congress, though Trump could direct the IRS to disregard the rule. The tax code does allow a wide range of political activity by houses of worship, including speaking out on social issues and organizing congregants to vote. But churches cannot endorse a candidate or engage in partisan advocacy. Lloyd Mayer, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame, said an IRS move could prompt lawsuits, if the rule was repealed for churches but not other charities. Mayer also noted that a full repeal of the rule could open up churches to the possibility of spending their resources to openly try to influence elections -- and for donors to get tax breaks for political contributions. While some conservative Christians would like to see the rule abolished, others, especially the younger generation, support a clear separation of church and political endorsements. Many liberal churches are also active on policy issues, and could potentially get more involved in partisan politics. Read more here: http://www.business-standard.com/ar...itical-limits-on-churches-117020300069_1.html
The belief in infantile fairytales and the serious business of governing a country need to be kept as far apart as possible. When people start invoking 'gods' is how wars begin; like Bush and his idiotic emphasis on 'crusades'.
What 'cult'? If 97% consensus among the world's scientific community is a 'cult' I guess you need to provide some evidence to back up your claim. https://www.skepticalscience.com/global-warming-scientific-consensus-intermediate.htm This is science, not talking snakes, levitation tricks and magic pregnancies.
What do the 97% of scientists believe? Everyone knows co2 is a greenhouse gas and that is about where the agreement ends. How many scientists believe that there will be warming and the planet will be better off? How many agree that there will be a little warming and nothing much will change? How many believe that there will be run away warming and catastrophic dooms day scenarios? (its about 2%) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSrjAXK5pGw
Muslims are allowed to preach politics inside mosques already. Same with black nationalist churches like Obama's former pastor's church. This law was only ever enforced against white Christian churches.
Yes make them pay for free speech. The 1st amendment guarantees free speech and freedom of religion. There is a reason both are mentioned in the same breath. Both are free to express their opinions on all matters
why should religious institutions be tax exempt? all tax exempt institutions are forbidden from endorsing candidates.
Because the first amendment guarantees it . If you can tax something you can control it and pick winners and losers. In fact in many states , state tax money went to the established religion of that church. The 1st amendment and the BoR have been stood on their head. There was a reason only congress was forbidden to make such laws and not the states. They wanted to maintain the right to practice the religion of their choice without federal interference
