Latest news with #RobertJeffress
New York Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
How Conservative Christians Cracked a 70-Year-Old Law
In the Blue Room of the White House, once the cameras recording the Easter prayer service cut off, the conversation at President Trump's dinner table turned to one of the biggest political goals for conservative Christian activists — eliminating a law that banned churches, and other tax-exempt charitable groups, from endorsing political candidates. Seated across from Mr. Trump that April night, Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas, told the president about how his church faced an I.R.S. inquiry over its tax-exempt status under the Biden administration, after hosting a rally with political figures. Franklin Graham, the son of the evangelist Billy Graham, who runs a large ministry with his father's name, chimed in that his groups had faced similar I.R.S. inquiries during President Barack Obama's tenure. At Mr. Trump's request, Mr. Jeffress's church sent the White House Faith Office a seven-page letter outlining what it called 'wrongful weaponization' of the law and the 'unlawful targeting of our church.' The letter, obtained by The New York Times, included recommended actions, and a mention of a Texas lawsuit, which offered a vehicle to declare that the law was wrong. Three months later, conservative Christians scored a major victory. Earlier this month, the Internal Revenue Service reinterpreted the ban, known as the Johnson Amendment, saying for the first time that churches could endorse candidates from the pulpit. The change, which came via a legal settlement, functionally nullifies a core tenet of the law, giving Christian conservatives their most significant victory involving church political organizing in 70 years. Their ultimate goal is still to totally eliminate the law, through Congress or the Supreme Court, removing all its limits on their political activities. 'Now churches are free,' said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, which has been working to challenge the law for years. 'The leash is gone.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Miami Herald
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
I'm a conservative Catholic. Keep politics out of my church, other houses of worship
As a Catholic and someone who used to work in politics, I have often appreciated that when I step into Mass on Sunday mornings, I can focus on my faith and not the latest polling or candidate endorsements. I support religious liberty and being able to worship without government interference. But that freedom shouldn't allow our sacred places to become overly political. Partisan politics should be kept out of our religious institutions. But now a new ruling will allow religious leaders to endorse political candidates in churches and other religious houses without the risk of losing their tax-exempt status. I hope that doesn't mean I'll be hearing about candidate X from the pulpit. The ruling comes after the evangelical group, National Religious Broadcasters and two Texas churches, filed suit against the Internal Revenue Service last August. They were challenging, on First Amendment grounds, a tax code that defines the tax-exempt status for churches and other nonprofit organizations and prohibits their participation in 'any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.' As a result, the IRS has reversed its previous policy and will now allow religious leaders to endorse political candidates. I'm not alone in my dismay over the thought of hearing about politics during the time I set aside for worship. Faith leaders in Miami told the Herald that they're concerned this ruling could create rifts in religious communities. Houses of worship shouldn't become cogs in political machines. There are those who see this as a victory for religious freedom. Dr. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, praised the filing and tweeted, 'Government has NO BUSINESS regulating what is said in pulpits!' President Donald Trump also applauded the development. During the first White House Faith Office summit on July 14, he said 'God is once again welcomed back into our public square.' But I see it differently. God has never been absent from the public square — as a Catholic, I bring my values into my civic life every day. The real issue here is whether houses of worship will become extensions of political campaigns. I recognize the frustration some conservative Christians and others feel. In the past, many evangelicals embraced political engagement with enthusiasm, speaking at campaign rallies for Trump and mobilizing voters through explicit endorsements. This change in the law means they will no longer have to risk their tax-exempt status if they want to engage in partisan endorsements. The 'Souls to the Polls' movement, which focuses on Black churches, is one way that that faith communities already have influenced voter turnout. But the Catholic Church is drawing a line when it comes to this latest ruling. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement saying that the 'Church maintains its stance of not endorsing or opposing political candidates.' I've spent enough time in pews and on the campaign trail to know the difference between a sermon and a stump speech. And those lines shouldn't be blurred. When politics enters the pew, division follows. Houses of worship should be places of refuge, reflection and reconciliation. I may differ politically with my fellow congregants, but on Sundays during Mass, we are united in worship under one God. The last thing I want to know is who my priest is voting for or their political affiliation. As a conservative, I believe we should value institutions that transcend politics, not surrender them at the altar of partisanship. Religious leaders have many responsibilities — to guide us on issues of morality and faith, for example. But let's keep politics out of it. Mary Anna Mancuso is a member of the Miami Herald Editorial Board. Her email: mmancuso@
Fox News
13-07-2025
- General
- Fox News
Staying Faithful In Times of Tragedy
It is easy to resort to anger after losing something precious but rarely does such a response aid the healing process. For the residents of Kerr County, Texas, this dilemma is all too clear. First Baptist Church Senior pastor, Dr. Robert Jeffress joins Shannon to offer guidance on handling tragedy, both for those suffering from it directly, and those that wish to help them. Pastor Jeffress also shares a few stories from scripture and his personal life that he hopes will provide a sliver of hope for those impacted by the flood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Hamilton Spectator
09-07-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
A surprise IRS move on political endorsements leaves faith leaders and legal experts divided
WASHINGTON (AP) — A surprise move by the IRS that would allow pastors to back political candidates from the pulpit without losing their organization's tax-exempt status is drawing praise from conservatives and even some progressive religious groups but concern from other leaders of faith, along with tax and legal experts. A 1954 provision in the tax code called the Johnson Amendment says churches and other nonprofits could lose their tax-exempt status if they participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. The rule was rarely enforced. While the IRS did not go as far as calling for the repeal of the Johnson Amendment, it said in court documents Monday that communications in good faith by a church to its flock does not amount to 'intervening' or affecting the outcome of a political campaign. 'Communications from a house of worship to its congregation in connection with religious services through its usual channels of communication on matters of faith do not run afoul of the Johnson Amendment as properly interpreted,' the IRS said. The new IRS interpretation came after decades of debate and, most recently, lawsuits from the National Religious Broadcasters association and other conservative churches complaining that the amendment violates their First Amendment rights, among other legal protections. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, President Donald Trump called the IRS' assessment 'terrific.' 'I love the fact that churches can endorse a political candidate,' he said. 'We have a lot of respect for the people that lead the church.' While some congregations see a new freedom to speak openly about preferred candidates, others see openings for campaign finance corruption, new pressures on religious leaders and an overall entanglement between church and state. Praises to the IRS Robert Jeffress , pastor of a Baptist megachurch in Dallas and a Trump ally, called it 'the right decision.' He said his church's tax-exempt status was threatened because of an IRS investigation into their political endorsements, costing the megachurch hundreds of thousands in legal fees. 'The IRS has no business dictating what can be said from the pulpit,' he said. 'They need to stay the heck out of our churches.' Calvary Church Chino Hills, a Southern California megachurch led by Jack Hibbs , has been endorsing candidates for years, particularly in local elections. Gina Gleason, director of the church's political engagement team, said she hopes the move will encourage smaller churches previously hesitant for fear of triggering an IRS response. 'I'd have thought if the IRS had targeted any church it would've been us,' she said. 'But we got sound legal advice from lawyers and religious liberty organizations that explained we were within our constitutional rights.' For Democrats trying to connect with people of faith, this decision is timely, said Doug Pagitt, pastor and executive director of Vote Common Good, a progressive and evangelical Christian organization. 'Conservative pastors who have been blatantly endorsing candidates regardless of the Johnson Amendment over the years created a disadvantage causing Democrats to step away from faith voters,' he said. 'There was a true imbalance between how many more opportunities there were for Republican voters.' The IRS statement, Pagitt says, also puts an end to the delicate dance pastors and congregations were forced to do. 'You could talk about politics in the church gymnasium, but not in the sanctuary or from the pulpit,' he said. 'Pastors could express political opinions on their personal Facebook page, but not on the church's website. It's just silly.' Church politicking concerns Tax and constitutional law experts, meanwhile, are wary of what entanglements could arise from the IRS' new position. Philip Hackney , a University of Pittsburgh School of Law professor who studies the relationship between churches and tax authority, said the decree could allow churches to push new boundaries. 'It's essentially creating a political intervention tax shelter for churches,' Hackney said. 'It has the potential to corrupt their mission, more towards politics and away from their true beliefs.' Other religious groups, particularly in faith communities of color, are viewing it with skepticism. The Rev. Mark Whitlock , senior pastor at Reid Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Glenn Dale, Maryland, said it raises more questions than answers. 'From those of us in the Black church, this decision is being viewed with caution, apprehension and skepticism,' he said. 'The question we're asking is: 'Why now?'' Whitlock said he will continue to do what the Black church has always done — educating and civically engaging parishioners. His congregants' political views vary, too. 'If I do say something in church, it needs to be God-centered, God-focused and a revelation that God gave you,' Whitlock said. 'You can't go to the pulpit as a campaign manager.' Raymond Chang, president of the Asian American Christian Collaborative, warned that a repeal of the Johnson Amendment could help tether some congregations to certain parties or candidates. 'This can lead to a partisan identity becoming the primary marker of a church or congregation, over a commitment to the Gospel, which cuts against both existing major parties,' he said. 'Church leaders may also face pressure to make political endorsements.' California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday that he finds the IRS' position on the issue 'politically convenient and cynical.' 'We've seen a lot of the pulpit be coming more and more political over the years — almost weaponized in that respect,' the Democrat said at a church in South Carolina. What comes next About 8 in 10 U.S. adults believe churches and other houses of worship should not come out in favor of one political candidate over another during elections, a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2022 found. White evangelicals and Black Protestants were a little more divided on the matter, with about one-third in each group favoring political endorsements. But in every other religious group surveyed, there was a strong consensus against political involvement by houses of worship. Others are more optimistic that the IRS statement puts to bed unfounded criticisms against the agency for a rarely enforced rule. Terry Lemons, a former IRS official who began at the agency under Democratic President Bill Clinton , called it a 'common sense approach through a narrowly written filing.' Roger Colinvaux, a Catholic University of America law professor, said he would caution churches against 'overinterpreting' the IRS statement. He points out that the word 'endorse' does not appear anywhere in it and said his biggest concern is religion being used as a partisan tool in campaigns. Pagitt at Common Good said not all pastors will seize the opportunity because they might be ministering to a divided congregation or might not be comfortable mixing politics and religion. Chieko Noguchi, spokesperson for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Tuesday that the IRS statement doesn't 'change how the Catholic Church engages in public debate.' '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,' Noguchi said. 'The Catholic Church maintains its stance of not endorsing or opposing political candidates.' ___ Bharath reported from Los Angeles. Associated Press writer Meg Kinnard in South Carolina contributed reporting. ___ AP's religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
09-07-2025
- Politics
A surprise IRS move on political endorsements leaves faith leaders and legal experts divided
WASHINGTON -- A surprise move by the IRS that would allow pastors to back political candidates from the pulpit without losing their organization's tax-exempt status is drawing praise from conservatives and even some progressive religious groups but concern from other leaders of faith, along with tax and legal experts. A 1954 provision in the tax code called the Johnson Amendment says churches and other nonprofits could lose their tax-exempt status if they participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. The rule was rarely enforced. While the IRS did not go as far as calling for the repeal of the Johnson Amendment, it said in court documents Monday that communications in good faith by a church to its flock does not amount to 'intervening' or affecting the outcome of a political campaign. 'Communications from a house of worship to its congregation in connection with religious services through its usual channels of communication on matters of faith do not run afoul of the Johnson Amendment as properly interpreted," the IRS said. The new IRS interpretation came after decades of debate and, most recently, lawsuits from the National Religious Broadcasters association and other conservative churches complaining that the amendment violates their First Amendment rights, among other legal protections. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, President Donald Trump called the IRS' assessment 'terrific." 'I love the fact that churches can endorse a political candidate,' he said. 'We have a lot of respect for the people that lead the church.' While some congregations see a new freedom to speak openly about preferred candidates, others see openings for campaign finance corruption, new pressures on religious leaders and an overall entanglement between church and state. Robert Jeffress, pastor of a Baptist megachurch in Dallas and a Trump ally, called it 'the right decision.' He said his church's tax-exempt status was threatened because of an IRS investigation into their political endorsements, costing the megachurch hundreds of thousands in legal fees. 'The IRS has no business dictating what can be said from the pulpit,' he said. 'They need to stay the heck out of our churches.' Calvary Church Chino Hills, a Southern California megachurch led by Jack Hibbs, has been endorsing candidates for years, particularly in local elections. Gina Gleason, director of the church's political engagement team, said she hopes the move will encourage smaller churches previously hesitant for fear of triggering an IRS response. 'I'd have thought if the IRS had targeted any church it would've been us,' she said. 'But we got sound legal advice from lawyers and religious liberty organizations that explained we were within our constitutional rights." For Democrats trying to connect with people of faith, this decision is timely, said Doug Pagitt, pastor and executive director of Vote Common Good, a progressive and evangelical Christian organization. 'Conservative pastors who have been blatantly endorsing candidates regardless of the Johnson Amendment over the years created a disadvantage causing Democrats to step away from faith voters,' he said. 'There was a true imbalance between how many more opportunities there were for Republican voters.' The IRS statement, Pagitt says, also puts an end to the delicate dance pastors and congregations were forced to do. 'You could talk about politics in the church gymnasium, but not in the sanctuary or from the pulpit,' he said. 'Pastors could express political opinions on their personal Facebook page, but not on the church's website. It's just silly.' Tax and constitutional law experts, meanwhile, are wary of what entanglements could arise from the IRS' new position. Philip Hackney, a University of Pittsburgh School of Law professor who studies the relationship between churches and tax authority, said the decree could allow churches to push new boundaries. 'It's essentially creating a political intervention tax shelter for churches,' Hackney said. "It has the potential to corrupt their mission, more towards politics and away from their true beliefs.' Other religious groups, particularly in faith communities of color, are viewing it with skepticism. The Rev. Mark Whitlock, senior pastor at Reid Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Glenn Dale, Maryland, said it raises more questions than answers. 'From those of us in the Black church, this decision is being viewed with caution, apprehension and skepticism,' he said. 'The question we're asking is: 'Why now?'' Whitlock said he will continue to do what the Black church has always done — educating and civically engaging parishioners. His congregants' political views vary, too. 'If I do say something in church, it needs to be God-centered, God-focused and a revelation that God gave you,' Whitlock said. 'You can't go to the pulpit as a campaign manager." Raymond Chang, president of the Asian American Christian Collaborative, warned that a repeal of the Johnson Amendment could help tether some congregations to certain parties or candidates. 'This can lead to a partisan identity becoming the primary marker of a church or congregation, over a commitment to the Gospel, which cuts against both existing major parties,' he said. 'Church leaders may also face pressure to make political endorsements.' About 8 in 10 U.S. adults believe churches and other houses of worship should not come out in favor of one political candidate over another during elections, a Pew Research Center survey conducted in 2022 found. White evangelicals and Black Protestants were a little more divided on the matter, with about one-third in each group favoring political endorsements. But in every other religious group surveyed, there was a strong consensus against political involvement by houses of worship. Others are more optimistic that the IRS statement puts to bed unfounded criticisms against the agency for a rarely enforced rule. Terry Lemons, a former IRS official who began at the agency under Democratic President Bill Clinton, called it a 'common sense approach through a narrowly written filing." Roger Colinvaux, a Catholic University of America law professor, said he would caution churches against 'overinterpreting' the IRS statement. He points out that the word 'endorse' does not appear anywhere in it and said his biggest concern is religion being used as a partisan tool in campaigns. Pagitt at Common Good said not all pastors will seize the opportunity because they might be ministering to a divided congregation or might not be comfortable mixing politics and religion. Chieko Noguchi, spokesperson for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said Tuesday that the IRS statement doesn't 'change how the Catholic Church engages in public debate.' '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,' Noguchi said. 'The Catholic Church maintains its stance of not endorsing or opposing political candidates.'
