Pastors across the country are challenging the IRS by coordinating to speak on political issues from the pulpit. The act is a challenge to the Johnson Amendment of 1954.

There has long been a rule that entities seeking to be classified as charities [and all the tax benefits that come with that] cannot use their donations for political purposes. The rule is often referred to as the Johnson Amendment because it was issued by President Johnson after he found himself under attack by various religious groups. 

The Johnson Amendment has resulted in grumbling by various charitable groups from time to time. That being said, it has managed to survive the test of time. That may be about to change. Instead of confronting the situation with a individual by individual approach, the IRS is now being faced with a movement. How it will react is drawing a lot of attention at this time. 

On September 26, more than 100 preachers spoke on political issues to their flocks. The effort was a direct challenge to the Johnson Amendment and the IRS. Defense funds have already been set up to handle any challenges with the Alliance Defense Fund being the primary backer. 

What will it all mean? It is hard to say. Will the IRS seek to revoke the charity designation of the various congregations? Will the IRS do nothing? There is no clear answer at this point and, in fact, not even a hint of a specific action by the agency. That being said, the movement is a direct challenge to the authority of what seems to be an all encompassing government that grows and grows and grows. In my book, that can’t be a bad things and many people would agree as much these days.