NPR recently reported that, “Since 1954, a provision in the tax code called the Johnson Amendment says that churches and other nonprofit organizations could lose their tax-exempt status if they participate in, or intervene in “any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.” In my years as a pastor, the only times I have mentioned politicians has been to lift up something great they have done for the community, or to pray for them. Every election I urge members to vote, but I have never pointed which direction that vote should go. Still, I have been accused of being political more times than I can remember. Why? Because I speak about moral issues that, somehow, have been conflated with politics. Things like fair housing, equal access to education, making sure children get fed and folks in tenuous financial situations don’t end up homeless. That’s me doing my job.
Meanwhile, mega-churches, including some Catholic churches, and many African American churches, support parties and candidates without consequences, going so far as to invite them to speak during church services or pointing them out to everyone present! And our politicians are constantly involving themselves in religion; Richard Nixon was one of the worst offenders, and Pres. Trump talks about religion more than any president in recent history. I find that interesting. Now, a religious institution no longer has to walk that line – they can put out anything they want to support a candidate or party. Not that the IRS has actually done much about this in the past; I guess they decided to stop pretending to care.
I, and a lot of people like me, will continue to not mention, favorably, parties or politicians. We will, however, continue to speak truth to power, challenging elected officials to do what is right and good. Too many politicians will continue to follow the money, making decisions that enrich the rich and impoverish the rest of us. Like I said in my sermon this past week, Scripture tells us that we mistreat the poor at our own peril. That punishment won’t come in this life, but the writers of our holy books are pretty clear that it will, eventually, come. FYI.
Prayer – Holy God, forgive us when we take Your name in vain. Amen.
Today’s art is by Tom Toles.