I'm glad the FFRF is bringing this suit, since it's clear that IRS enforcement of the 1954 Johnson Amendment (banning 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations from campaigning for or against particular candidates — more http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnson_Amendment) has been spotty at best, and non-existent of late.
Honestly, though, as church-state-separatist as I am, I'm of mixed feelings on the Johnson Amendment. The line between moral teaching (which a church, to use the usual example, should be doing) and "voter education … that would favor one candidate over another" is by no means a bright one. Billy Grahams big ad here is a perfect example.
Do I want my tax dollars going (by means of tax exemption) to people who preach in favor of candidates I don't like, or in opposition of ones I do? Not particularly. But it's not clear to me, short of removing tax exempt status from churches (a different kettle of fish) how to enforce these kinds of rules without violating the First Amendment or forcing strange gyrations of rhetoric.
The alternative is either to have the Johnson Rule overturned de jure by the court, or de facto by non-enforcement, as the IRS has been doing.
Reshared post from +David Badash
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Billy Graham’s Romney Endorsement Moves Freedom From Religion Foundation To Sue IRS
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is suing the IRS for not enforcing rules barring churches from endorsing candidates after Billy Graham endorsed Mitt Romney last month.
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