USA Reformation will be God Initiated!

 Weekly Opinion Editorial

POLITICS OR PIETY?

by Steve Fair

     In 1953, future U.S. president Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) was serving in the U.S. Senate from Texas.  LBJ faced criticism from conservative tax-exempt organizations in his home state of Texas- two of which were Facts Forum and the Committee for Constitutional Government.  They pointed out LBJ’s liberal views to Texas voters in his 1948 campaign for Senate, and Johnson vowed to shut them down.  LBJ believed their accusations of his liberalism would harm his political standing in the conservative Lone Star state.  He sought to neutralize their influence on legislation and political campaigns by stopping donations to those 501(c)3 groups by removing their tax-exempt status.  The ‘Johnson Amendment’ banned any tax-exempt organizations, including churches, from political activism and endorsing of candidates.  Long time critics of the amendment say it is selectively enforced.  According to the Free Speech Center, religious organizations are the target of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) more often than secular groups. 

     Historically, the IRS has rarely enforced the Johnson Amendment against churches. The only known instance of a church losing its tax-exempt status over the amendment involved newspaper ads being run on behalf of a candidate.  But that will likely be changing. 

     Last week, the IRS entered a consent decree stating the ‘Johnson amendment’ does not prevent a "house of worship" from speaking to its congregation, through customary channels of communication on matters of faith in connection with religious services, concerning electoral politics viewed through the lens of religious faith.  The action came after two Texas churches sued the IRS, asserting the ‘Johnson Amendment’ violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and exercise of religion.  Three observations:

     First, the Johnson Amendment is unconstitutional, but remains the law of the land.  In regard to the Johnson Amendment, the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has ruled in the past tax benefits given to 501(c)3 nonprofits are a “form of subsidy administered through the tax system.”  Two federal Courts of Appeals have ruled the Johnson Amendment constitutional, but until the U.S. Supreme Court formally rules on the Johnson Amendment as how it applies to religious organizations, this is not over.  The IRS compromise reached this week may stop enforcement, but it doesn’t remove the Johnson Amendment from the statutes.

     Second, this deal will change campaign finance.  If donors can contribute to a church or any other 501 (c)3 group, receive an IRS approved tax deduction, and the donation be funneled to a candidate, ‘following the money’ becomes next to impossible.  Will churches and candidates be required to report campaign contributions from 501(c)3s like secular organizations have to?  Will the 501(c)3s need to disclose the giver?  If not, then this new position by the IRS could dramatically increase the number of ‘dark money’ groups involved in the political arena.  "Dark money" in politics refers to political spending by organizations that do not disclose their donors. This lack of transparency allows special interests to influence elections without public accountability. 

     Third, the policy could change the mission of churches.  Preaching repentance and faith may be put aside for proclaiming liberty and freedom-the doxology replaced with God Bless the USA.  Sermons may be on patriotism instead of peacemaking.  Fundraisers will replace fellowships.  Worship will focus on reforming the USA through activism.  Studying the Constitution instead of the Sermon on the Mount. 

     The mission of the Lord’s church is to preach the Gospel.  Jesus gave the Great Commission to His church in Matthew 28:19.   A church who veers or deviates from that commission- no matter their motive- is in danger of losing their candlestick.  Does a church have a right to get political?  Sure, but any church who puts politics over piety have lost their way.   They have sacrificed reverence for relevance.  America’s reformation will be God initiated, done in His timing and by His methods.