Posted on 02/02/2017 8:13:26 PM PST by marshmallow
Declaring that religious freedom is "under threat," President Donald Trump vowed Thursday 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, 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 penalized.
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
No gubmint freebies even for churches. Either all organizations pay taxes or none do. But some are more equal than others.
Would be nice to resurrect the Templar order.
It was never even suggested it be enforced against liberal churches, especially black liberation theology “pators.”
Sadly, it’ll make little difference. How many pastors have you heard speak out against abortion or gay marriage lately?
Pastors have always been able to speak to issues. At least my priest has.
It was that they could not endorse a certain candidate without losing the tax-exempt status.
Well, that’s about to change.
Founding fathers believed you don’t tax God.
Makes sense to me.
Of course they only had Christian churches back then.
Kill the horrendous McCain CFR while at it.
The Chicago Tribune opposing clergy endorsing political candidates - after being silent about years of those endorsements by the likes of Rev. Wright, Rev. Jackson and Rev. Sharpton.
The 1st two have been based in Chicago and the entire gang's many political endorsements have filled the pages of their paper for years .
Since they want to keep the Johnson Amendment, will they now call for prosecution of the 3 under it? You can bet that propaganda front for radical leftwing activists will do nothing of the sort.
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