The Political Pulpit

There’s so many changes happening today and it’s hard to keep track of them all and so many of them are so important and will affect our lives and our country significantly. One of those changes says the IRS recently repealed the 1954 Johnson Amendment rule that said nonprofits could not endorse a specific political candidate without losing tax exempt status. So now churches can endorse candidates. Of course, church leaders have always guided members on how to vote some more vertically than others, usually by discussing the morality of specific issues. But now they can openly endorse candidates, and direct their parishioners to vote for them. This can also lead to PACs funneling money to churches to get an endorsement. Political organizations can now funnel donations through churches, bankrolling candidates with zero accountability, and get a tax deduction for it. It will turn some churches into political centers, diluting the actual mission of the church.

Fortunately, the USCCB came out with a statement saying that Catholic churches will continue to not endorse specific candidates, but rather put out voting guides, stating “The Church seeks to help Catholics form their conscience in the Gospel so they might discern which candidates and policies would advance the common good. The Catholic Church maintains its stance of not endorsing or opposing political candidates.” However, there will be pastors who will take money and tell their congregations who to vote for. Votes will be bought, and even worse, they will be bought through the pulpit.

The rule itself doesn’t sound that bad. Churches should be free to discuss important issues, including political ones. They should be free to criticize those people who shape our country and society. And in fact, the rule was very, very rarely enforced, as people were hesitant to face the public backlash that would come by punishing a church. Also, I believe, most pastors don't want to alienate members of their congregations by being overtly political; they want to help form consciences and teach morality, not dictate political slogans. 

What I am worried about is the further entanglement of political ideologues using religion to sway and control people. The lines between church and state are fading, and a state religion is emerging. Some pastors would rather seek worldly fame and influence than concern themselves with the consciences and morality of their congregants. I fear the repeal of this IRS rule is just further solidifying of Christian nationalism in America, weakening the message of and the trust in genuine Christianity. When Christianity becomes synonymous with tyrants who will believe its message of mercy, of standing up for the downtrodden, and of freedom in Christ?