In a major win for United States churches, the IRS stated that church congregations are not in violation of the Johnson Amendment if they discuss politics within the church.
The IRS filing reads, “Bona fide communications internal to a house of worship, between the house of worship and its congregation, in connection with religious services, do neither of those things, any more than does a family discussion concerning candidates. Thus, communications from a house of worship to its congregation in connection with religious services through its usual channels of communication on matters of faith do not run afoul of the Johnson Amendment as properly interpreted.”ย
While it is still debated whether this enables clergy to endorse politicians from the pulpit, it is worded vaguely and enables rather extensive discussion and endorsement within the body.
This enables a rather extensive return of freedom back to the church body, permitting the absolutely necessary political conversations from not only the body of Christ, but from Christian leaders within the nation.
Comments