For years, most churches have had to walk a fine line when it comes to politics. The fear has been that endorsing a particular candidate or party would put their tax-exempt status at risk. In recent years, the conventional wisdom has been that a minister can preach on religious values or certain issues like abortion or immigration, but they cannot endorse certain candidates. They can have one candidate come speak, but they have to offer the same opportunity to all the other candidates as well.
An I.R.S. court filing this week has changed all that, by clarifying that churches are able to endorse candidates without losing their tax-exempt status.
The rationale was partly based on the idea that a church family is much like any other family, where candid conversations may take place. A church’s fear of losing tax-exempt status has put a big chill on how many approach political issues. This has been particularly detrimental to Christian churches that have faced unfair scrutiny on this issue. It is well known that progressive churches or churches that tend to support the Democrat Party have previously been given far more leeway by the I.R.S. in the realm of political speech.
It is unlikely that pro-Trump Christian churches could have gotten away with similar messages. Now, at least the playing field has been leveled by the I.R.S.
Though hateful signs should not be featured in front of any Christian church, it is good to know political speech from the pulpit will be allowed. Where Christian principles are concerned, this is good news for Republicans.
“The Founders envisioned a Nation
Exec. Order 13798, 82 Fed. Reg. 21675 (May 4, 2017)
in which religious voices and views were integral to a vibrant public square, and in which religious people and institutions were free to practice their faith without fear
of discrimination or retaliation by the Federal Government.”
