Pray that liberty will reign supreme in the U.S. with freedom of expression and integrity.

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” (Gal 5:13)

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President Donald Trump has promised to “destroy” the Johnson Amendment, an objective he has yet to accomplish through an executive order in May, and most recently via the pending GOP tax bill.

Locally, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. is strongly in favor of repeal of the Johnson Amendment, which restricts tax-exempt entities — including churches and 501(c)3 non-profits — from engaging in partisan politics, such as donating to or endorsing a political candidate or campaign.

A provision to repeal the Johnson Amendment was removed Thursday from the GOP tax bill.

Falwell believes the amendment, in place since 1954, is a restriction of political free speech, and has long backed Trump’s efforts to do away with legislation that Falwell described as un-American….

Falwell believes two things need to happen to repeal the Johnson Amendment.

First: The president’s evangelical 25-member advisory board needs to step up….

Second: There needs to be a compromise on how much money is allowed for political support.

Critics of efforts to repeal the Johnson Amendment warn doing so would flood churches with anonymous political contributions, commonly known as “dark money,” and turn houses of worship and other nonprofits into political action committees that favor or oppose certain candidates.

“There is every reason to be in favor of the Johnson Amendment, and no real reason to be against it,” said Andrew Seidel, director of strategic response for the Freedom from Religion Foundation….

Trump’s first action on the Johnson Amendment was an executive order signed in May titled the Presidential Executive Order Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty. Trump announced the executive order in a Rose Garden ceremony surrounded by religious leaders of various faiths.

“Today my administration is leading by example as we take historic steps to protect religious liberty in the United States of America,” Trump said in a White House video. “We will not allow people of faith to be targeted, silenced or bullied any more. And we will never, ever stand for religious discrimination.”

Falwell said the executive order allowed him, and other leaders of nonprofit organizations, to reclaim their political free speech rights without fear of reprisal from the Internal Revenue Service….

Falwell believes he is shielded by the executive order and allowed to endorse or oppose politicians as the leader of a religious nonprofit. However, he remains concerned the next president could overturn Trump’s action with another executive order, and hopes to see legislative repeal enacted. (Excerpts from Josh Moody’s article in The News and Advance)

ADDENDUM ARTICLE: JOHNSON AMENDMENT REMAINS—WILL YOUR PREACHING BE AFFECTED?

On Thursday, the Senate parliamentarian blocked language in the tax bill ensuring that the Johnson Amendment remains the law of the land.

The parliamentarian determined the inclusion of the repeal did not meet Senate rules that require elements of the tax bill to have something to do with the budget.

The Johnson Amendment is a 1954 law that bars tax-exempt organizations, churches and charities from engaging in political activity. As a result of the parliamentarian’s decision, pastors will continue to be subjected to laws restricting political speech.

JOHNSON AMENDMENT RESTRICTIONS

The Johnson Amendment restricts churches and nonprofits in three ways:

1) Tax-exempt churches and their staff cannot endorse or oppose political candidates, even indirectly.

2) Churches cannot make political donations, invite one candidate to speak or use its facilities without the others, or compare a candidate’s positions to the church’s….

3) Pastors are free to endorse candidates if they do so as private citizens: that is, not speak from the church building, making clear their independence from their church role….

SELDOM ENFORCED LAW

While the law clearly states that churches can lose their tax exempt status if they violate the Johnson Amendment, it’s widely held that it has only happened once in the 60 years the law has been on the books….

FEARS OF CHURCH ABUSE

Those applauding the decision by the Senate parliamentarian, including more than 4,000 faith leaders, more than 100 religious groups, and more than 5,000 nonprofits, say the Johnson Amendment prevents abuse from church leaders….

THE DEBATE CONTINUES

Thursday’s development won’t be the end of this debate.

Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) said in a statement that he was “disappointed” that the measure was not allowed into the tax bill…. (Excerpts from staff writers at ChurchLeaders.com)