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| President Trump greeting clergy members in the Rose Garden on May 4th (JTA) |
I never liked the Johnson Amendment. Which restricts the
rights of religious organizations to express their preference of one political
candidate over the other. That amendment strips away the tax exempt status of any religious organization that endorses a specific political candidate for office.
I never fully understood the motivation or the rationale behind it. I see that as a violation of the first the first amendment right to free speech. But that has been the law since 1954. Until now. Sort of. From
JTA:
A full repeal of the Johnson Amendment can happen only through an act of Congress. But Trump’s order directs the Internal Revenue Service not to prosecute violations of the Johnson Amendment by houses of worship, effectively ensuring that they won’t face repercussions from the law.
I hope Congress will act. The idea that a religious
organization will turn into ‘partisan political outfits’ as Reform Rabbi Jonah
Dov Pesner, director of their Religious Action Center noted - is quite a cynical accusation.
Most legitimate religious organizations are about the values they promote. They
should not be penalized for endorsing the candidate that most closely promotes
those values. That there are some religious organizations that are partisan should not penalize those that are not.
President Trump’s order actually enhances both aspects of
the first amendment: freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Those of us that
love the liberty this nation is all about ought to be applauding this decision.
Not criticizing it. Regardless of how they might otherwise feel about his position on
other matters.
That said, I would urge religious organization to continue
the policy of not endorsing candidates. I don’t see an upside to that. What
they should instead do is continue to speak out about the values in which they
believe. Let the voter decide which candidate’s position most closely represents
those values.
On the other hand endorsing one candidate over the other does have a
downside. It will not serve them well if their candidate loses. Politicians have
long memories.
Best to stay neutral during an election. Let the voters see
for themselves and make their own decisions. If they support the values the
organization preaches, they will make the right choice without any kind of
official endorsement.
