Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 02-02-2002, 11:37 PM

There is an old thread on this attempt to chage the law that bars religious groups from making political endorsements. It seems that the law was an accidental by product of a political ploy by Lyndon Johnson.

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/03/national/03CHUR.html" target="_blank">Churches on Right Seek Right to Back Candidates</a>

Quote:

. . .The law dates from 1954, when Mr. Johnson added an amendment to a revenue bill that prohibited all groups with a nonprofit, or 501(c)3, tax-exempt status from endorsing or opposing candidates. It passed by unanimous consent.

Historians have said Mr. Johnson intended to silence two groups connected to the Hunt family, which opposed his re-election. But because houses of worship also have the exempt designation, the law also applied to them.

[ February 03, 2002: Message edited by: Toto ]</p>

Dark Jedi · 02-04-2002, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toto:
<strong>There is an old thread on this attempt to chage the law that bars religious groups from making political endorsements. It seems that the law was an accidental by product of a political ploy by Lyndon Johnson.

<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/03/national/03CHUR.html" target="_blank">Churches on Right Seek Right to Back Candidates</a>
</strong>

What would be cool is to see a judge hear a similar case, and rule in favor of the church... by removing their tax exempt status.

Toto · 02-04-2002, 02:08 PM

It should be clarified - nothing prevents any religious leader from making any political endorsement or statement anywhere, anytime. The only problem is that the religious organization would loose its tax exempt status, including the special tax privileges that ministers get. This would seriously cut into the income of that religious organization -- which is, after all, the purpose of having a religion.

ohwilleke · 02-05-2002, 10:02 AM

Personally, I think that we would be better off if all limitations on all 501(c)(3) political involvement were eliminated. Limiting it in a non-content neutral way to churches would be a problem, but I see no problem ending the regulation all together.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

02-04-2002, 02:08 PM	#3
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	It should be clarified - nothing prevents any religious leader from making any political endorsement or statement anywhere, anytime. The only problem is that the religious organization would loose its tax exempt status, including the special tax privileges that ministers get. This would seriously cut into the income of that religious organization -- which is, after all, the purpose of having a religion.

02-05-2002, 10:02 AM	#4
ohwilleke Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Denver, Colorado, USA Posts: 4,834	Personally, I think that we would be better off if all limitations on all 501(c)(3) political involvement were eliminated. Limiting it in a non-content neutral way to churches would be a problem, but I see no problem ending the regulation all together.

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.