It's time to repeal the Johnson Amendment

I unwittingly grew up under the Johnson Amendment.

As a pastor’s daughter, I knew my dad couldn’t publicly endorse a candidate from the pulpit, but it had never occurred to me why until about five years ago.

My dad has been my compass in the political realm for as long as I can remember, not saying that a grown girl (twenty-three years old) can’t define her own political philosophies. It’s a rarity nowadays to find two people who agree politically, let alone a father and daughter.

Politics played a major role in my household so H.R. 8300 became an active discussion on more than one occasion. In essence, I knew the implications of the Johnson Amendment outlined in this resolution.

But what the heck does it actually say?

Here it is in all its glory:

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. . . . 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.

Here’s the backstory to this unprecedented piece of ridiculousness. Lyndon B. Johnson realized he was going to lose his senate race. 

So in a last ditch effort, what was his brilliant response to his predicament? Regulate what pastors can say – which is bureaucratic system rigging at its finest.  

I currently work for a 501(c)(3), nonprofit, nonpartisan organization in the DC metro area so I understand that contributions and endorsement could affect the integrity of campaigns.

But in churches? Let’s be real.

Yes, separation of church and state is a thing, and a good thing at that.

|| But it’s not my politics that frame my religious beliefs; it’s my religious beliefs that frame my political beliefs. ||

The feminist mantra goes something like, “Keep the government out of my body.” Are not our minds and our hearts part of our bodies? Let it be known that the government has no place in my mind nor in my heart, and it most definitely does not have a seat in my place of worship.

Heaven forbid a pastor do his job and lead his congregation in the right way.

It’s 2018; let’s repeal the Johnson Amendment.