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On July 7, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) signed a court agreement to allow churches and other houses of worship to endorse candidates without risking their tax-exempt status. This reversed a 70-year ban that was in place based on the IRS’ interpretation of the “Johnson Amendment,” which prohibits nonprofits in the tax bracket from engaging in political campaigns.
There might be some blowback from the usual suspects, like the ACLU. Groups that have a problem with outdoor Nativity displays. Probably motivated by jealousy because they do not have three wise men or a virgin in their organizations.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has confirmed that the Catholic Church will not endorse political candidates for public office in any elections, despite a tax code change that has opened the door for houses of worship to make such endorsements.
I agree with the USCCB on endorsing candidates. Candidates can change their minds after being elected. The campaign checks from any number of groups, such as Planned Parenthood, give some truth to the old saying that "I can resist everything except temptation." Policy is a different matter. There is no reason for your parish priest to be forbidden from reminding his parishioners of the evil of abortion or euthanasia.
Parishioners may pay twice: once through paying tuition to send their children to Catholic schools, and again by supporting public schools through their property taxes. Restricting worship to one day a week Mass and no discussion of government policies is not religious freedom.
Discussion (21)
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This rule always struck me as silly. Overtly leftwing 501(c)(3) groups can make no secret of their preferences and push issues they know will help or hurt candidates. As long as nothing in the collection basket goes to the campaign or a PAC then let opinions be freely expressed and debated.
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Somehow it never seemed to be found a violation to have a left-wing candidate speaking from the pulpit of a left-wing church (especially a black church).
So it always seemed to me an unevenly applied "rule."
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I am a Protestant who is a member of an independent Methodist congregation. One of the several excellent things our pastor does is stay far away from partisan politics, and especially from specific candidates, in his sermons. He focuses on Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, and relies on the Holy Spirit to guide us on our daily implementation of God's teaching. He even stays away from some topics I think should be clear, but he avoids in the pulpit because he believes they require more nuance and discussion than is possible in a mass audience event.
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We have a couple of interim ministers at my church. I shudder to think who or what they might endorse. I'm sure I would vote against their opinions. Far better that the church says nothing.
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Render unto Caesar even if he is a total %$@&.
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