[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

[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.

[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.

[taxcontrol]

The Johnson amendment has always violated the 1st Amendment. No, not the freedom of religion clause, it violates the freedom to peacefully assemble in that it allows the government to restrict that freedom.

[Lurkinanloomin]

It only ever applied to white churches anyway. Black churches have long been used by the Democrats for political purposes.