IRS Allows Churches To Make Political Endorsements Without Tax-Exempt Risk

After years of going after churches and religious freedom, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has taken a step toward religious liberty. A proposed order to a federal court would now allow pastors and churches to make political endorsements without risking the loss of their tax-exempt status. Previously, the IRS threatened to revoke that status if a church made a political endorsement.

It was a rule that was rarely invoked and only applied to a select few churches along the way. But this new move by the IRS establishes a new level of freedom for churches, and their parishioners.

Ryan Gardner of the First Liberty Institute says the only problems came from virtue signaling people, upset with a church getting political. Which in turn, led to fear.

"It was that fear of something that could happen, as much as anything, that led to people being silent," he says.

The move comes following a lawsuit from numerous entities against the IRS for violating religious liberties, dating back to when Danny Werfel headed the agency. New commissioner Billy Long worked to jointly move the court to enter a consent judgement, a legally binding settlement agreement.

All of it stems from what is known as the "Johnson Amendment." But this challenge and subsequent change does more than give back religious liberty. It solidifies faith leaders' free speech rights.

"They are basically saying as long as whatever speech is done through the usual means of communication a church uses...that is protected," says Gardner.

The proposal states that the Johnson Amendment cannot be enforced due to a speech made to a congregation. Of course, there has always been arguments for a separation of church and state. But this is not that. This is the right of religions of all walks to promote what they feel aligns with their congregation.

It is not some way to spread propaganda, as the Left will surely claim. It is a pastor's way of connecting with their religion, parishioners, and align their values.

"A way to think about it...a lot of churches view themselves as a family. When you have political conversations with the family, that is okay," Gardner says. "This says yes, these groups operate like a family...as long as it is a usual means of communication they use to communicate with their members."

He adds this is an exciting time for religious liberty.