The Johnson Amendment has prohibited churches and other non-profits from advocating for or against political candidates since 1954. But Donald Trump just vowed to “totally destroy” the amendment at the National Prayer Breakfast. Religious groups say the amendment violates their freedom of expression. Supporters argue it maintains separation of church and state, and that taxpayers shouldn’t have to subsidize political speech from tax-exempt groups. What do you think?
PERSPECTIVES
Repealing the Johnson Amendment was one of Trump’s campaign promises to the religious right, and a push for repeal was written into the GOP platform. It’s an IRS provision that reads:
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 at risk of losing tax-exempt status.
Religious leaders say the rule violates their freedom of speech.
thetylt.com
Proponents of the Johnson Amendment argue two things. Firstly, getting rid of the amendment would creates a massive campaign-finance loophole. If it’s repealed, churches and charities could become “unregulated vessels” for campaign contributions.
Secondly, church leaders’ free speech is not being violated — they can endorse candidates if they want to, but they cannot have tax-exempt status at the same time. Steven Waldman argues that:
The rule does not even prohibit clergymen from endorsing a candidate. Rather, it says that if a religious leader endorses a candidate, then his church cannot receive the significant benefit of tax exemption, and that people cannot, therefore, make a tax-deductible contribution to that church. thetylt.com
Opponents of the amendments see it as a way for the left to restrict political speech from the religious right.
Democrats passed the “Johnson Amendment” (1954) to silence churches & evangelicals. Trump will get rid of it!https://t.co/2qFYDrpDkJ
— Trump Rebuilds USA (@Corporatocrazy) February 2, 2017
Trump’s opponents think his push to repeal the Johnson Amendment is less about religion and more about gaining access to unregulated money.
It ain’t hard to see the REAL point repealing the Johnson Amendment. Explained below… pic.twitter.com/UJhaVrd1Kp
— Eric Schmeltzer (@JustSchmeltzer) February 2, 2017
Critics think that the amendment is a crucial brick in the wall of separation between church and state.
But many religious organizations say they have felt intimidated by the IRS, and that the amendment is just plain unconstitutional.
The Tylt is focused on debates and conversations around news, current events and pop culture. We provide our community with the opportunity to share their opinions and vote on topics that matter most to them. We actively engage the community and present meaningful data on the debates and conversations as they progress. The Tylt is a place where your opinion counts, literally. The Tylt is an Advance Digital, Inc. property. Join us on Twitter @TheTylt or on Facebook, we’d love to hear what you have to say.
Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers.
