Trump pledges to end political limits on churches

Associated Press ^ | Feb 2, 2017 5:53 PM EST | Catherine Lucey

[Olog-hai]

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. …

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Can’t hurt. Might help.

0bama’s ‘preacher man’ certainly had HIS say. *SPIT*

[Poison Pill]

Tax them. Then they can do and say what they want.

[Dallas59]

Proposed by then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, the amendment affects nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax exemptions.[2] Organizations recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code are subject to limits or absolute prohibitions on engaging in political activities and risk loss of tax exempt status if violated.[3] Specifically, they are prohibited from conducting political campaign activities to intervene in elections to public office.[4][5]

Under 26 USC section 501(c)(3), the following organizations are exempt from taxation: "Corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in subsection (h)), and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office." The Johnson Amendment applies to any 501(c)(3) organization, not just religious 501(c)(3) organizations.

The benefit of 501(c)(3) status is that in addition to the organization being tax exempt, donors whom itemize may also take a tax deduction for their contributions to the organization.

The Internal Revenue Service website elaborates upon this prohibition as follows: [4]

Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain excise taxes.

Certain activities or expenditures may not be prohibited depending on the facts and circumstances. For example, certain voter education activities (including presenting public forums and publishing voter education guides) conducted in a non-partisan manner do not constitute prohibited political campaign activity. In addition, other activities intended to encourage people to participate in the electoral process, such as voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, would not be prohibited political campaign activity if conducted in a non-partisan manner.

On the other hand, voter education or registration activities with evidence of bias that (a) would favor one candidate over another; (b) oppose a candidate in some manner; or (c) have the effect of favoring a candidate or group of candidates, will constitute prohibited participation or intervention.

The Internal Revenue Service provides resources to exempt organizations and the public to help them understand the prohibition. As part of its examination program, the IRS also monitors whether organizations are complying with the prohibition.

[2banana]

But this law never seem to apply to black churches

[miss marmelstein]

Which is why the amendment must be repealed.

[manc]

it ended years ago in black churches and mosques.

Why revs, priests don;t talk about marriage and killing babies is beyond me.

[hinckley buzzard]

Of course. the law was just some of LBJ's bullshit because some Baptist churches spoke out against him. What other non-profit is similarly muzzled?

[scooby321]

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.

Ap You Lie

[manc]

Just said the same, and then saw your post.

We have it on video all the time, hell turn on a channel on Sunday morning for a black church and you will hear them talking politics.

[Olog-hai]

Interesting to see conservatives calling for taxes.

[manc]

my thought too

[Dallas59]

I believe it means that any religious organization (Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Sun worshippers, Catholics, Baptists, LDS etc) can now endorse a political candidate and ask its followers to do the same without losing exemption.

[Poison Pill]

FR is chock full of them these days.

[stars & stripes forever]

[rarely enforced IRS rule]

NEVER enforced IRS rule. Thousands of churches send their political sermons to the IRS every year on PULPIT SUNDAY. The IRS knows the law is unconstitutional and will not enforce the law because it would trigger a lawsuit against them.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

No.

[dhs12345]

That is the intent behind the tax exemption - taxation without representation is tyranny.

[Poison Pill]

taxation without representation is tyranny.

Representation is for citizens. The members of churches get the same representation as members of non tax exempt orgs.

The whole idea of exemption is unfair anyway. Whats good for the goose should be good for the gander.

[wtd]

I’m not yet comfortable with this prospect given recent history with ‘07-’08 “Rabbis for Obama” and groups like CAIR which are affiliated with Islam.

[Dallas59]

Might as well let all religions in on the politics.

The Establishment Clause or the Religion Clause is the first of several pronouncements in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, stating, Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof