As reported by
Americans United, this week a letter signed by more than 4,000 faith leaders from all 50 states (
full text) was sent to members of Congress urging them to keep the Johnson Amendment in the Internal Revenue Code. That Amendment, which Donald Trump has
promised to repeal, prohibits non-profits, including houses of worship, from supporting or opposing candidates in political elections. The letter says in part:
Faith leaders are called to speak truth to power, and we cannot do so if we are merely cogs in partisan political machines. The prophetic role of faith communities necessitates that we retain our independent voice.....
Changing the law to repeal or weaken the “Johnson Amendment” – the section of the tax code that prevents tax-exempt nonprofit organizations from endorsing or opposing candidates – would harm houses of worship, which are not identified or divided by partisan lines. Particularly in today’s political climate, engaging in partisan politics and issuing endorsements would be highly divisive and have a detrimental impact on congregational unity and civil discourse.
