On September 14, by a margin of 211 to 198, the U.S. House of Representatives quietly voted to change the Johnson amendment in relation to churches. The Johnson Amendment prevents churches and other non-profits from endorsing political candidates or supporting political campaigns with their money. The change only applies to churches and their related entities. The change was embedded in the 2018 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill, a massive spending bill. On page 21 it says:
“SEC. 116. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used by the Internal Revenue Service to make a determination that a church, an integrated auxiliary of a church, or a convention or association of churches is not exempt from taxation for participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office unless.
(1) the Commissioner of Internal Revenue consents to such determination;
(2) not later than 30 days after such determination, the Commissioner notifies the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate of such determination; and
(3) such determination is effective with respect to the church, integrated auxiliary of a church, or convention or association of churches not earlier than 90 days after the date of the notification under paragraph (2).
In essence, if the IRS decides to withdraw tax-exempt status of churches because of its involvement in a political campaign, it must inform Congress and give Congress an opportunity to respond. Why it was done this way is unclear, but if passed by the Senate, it would essentially make the Johnson Amendment redundant, at least as it applies to churches.
Political campaign donations are not currently tax-deductible, but, presumably, gifts to churches that engage in political campaigns would be tax-deductible, or at least protected from scrutiny by IRS.
This bill will jeopardize the separation of church and state in America. We are now on the precipice of major changes to the religious climate of the United States.
Many pastors and other religious leaders claim that the Johnson Amendment is a burden on their religious freedom and their freedom of speech, and they often insist that it must be repealed or at least curtailed for them to be able to get involved directly in politics as part of their pastoral office (as opposed to personal involvement). However, churches, pastors, priests and other religious leaders have been very adept at getting around the amendment. It is important to note that while the Johnson Amendment is being changed in the name of religious liberty, it is actually setting the state for the rise of political power of the churches, which will lead to worship laws.
“Heretofore those who presented the truths of the third angel’s message have often been regarded as mere alarmists. Their predictions that religious intolerance would gain control in the United States, that church and state would unite to persecute those who keep the commandments of God, have been pronounced groundless and absurd. It has been confidently declared that this land could never become other than what it has been—the defender of religious freedom. But as the question of enforcing Sunday observance is widely agitated, the event so long doubted and disbelieved is seen to be approaching, and the third message will produce an effect, which it could not have had before.” Great Controversy, pages 605 and 606.
Comments
schubert grimm
Friday September 29th, 2017 at 05:20 PMmany dont believe this can happen, but it was 1888 that a bill was before congress to pass a federal law makeing sunday a sacred day of worship. the bill failed, but its ghost has reapeared in our time as we are seeing signs of renewed church, state union with the pope calling for national sunday laws. you say thats obsurd. go to the library look up the story about the good hard working citizens of tennessee who were working their farms and the law threw them in prison and fined them for violateing sunday sacredness
David
Monday October 2nd, 2017 at 12:11 AMThe manipulation of the law is to allow the union of church and state whichever way the Bill is worded.
Prophecy has to be fulfilled to the letter.
We have embarked on a slippery slope long ago that will give all churches power to enact laws or if not influence the law makers at the least to bring about the Sunday law.
This has to happen, it must happen so that the chain of prophetic events can follow.
Kevine
Monday October 2nd, 2017 at 03:24 AMThe curtains are coming down
Michael Bisson
Tuesday October 3rd, 2017 at 12:44 PMI think Hal Mayer makes a good point here, that churches will be the means of collecting contributions for political candidates as way of taking advantage of the tax deduction when giving to a charitable contribution. However I think he’s missing what the real problem is and that being the tax deductibility of charitable contributions. With that sword held over the churches head the IRS always has the possibility of taking away a churches 503-C filing as a means of controlling the church. Our Religious liberty department should campaign to have income tax rates lowered and have the 503-C removed from the I.R.S. code. The leverage it gives the state over church is a true violation of church and state.
Mike Bisson
john dixon
Sunday October 8th, 2017 at 06:23 PMi say it will soon happen
SUNDAY LAW IS WAITING ON THE CORNER
Ellen
Saturday October 28th, 2017 at 05:43 PMMay the Lord hasten all that needs to be done so that we can go home. Those who still want to wallow in this world are welcome to it. As for me and my household we are ready for His coming in the clouds of glory according to His will and grace.
lavin
Tuesday November 7th, 2017 at 11:50 PMEach day is of equal significance, and if should be bothered about any day, then it is ” Today”.
*[[Heb 4:7]] KJV* Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
If there is any commandment, that we should really be bothered about, then it is the commandment of Love, which we all seem to be failing. *[[Joh 13:34]] KJV* A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Watch out, lets you be deceived into trivialities, and omit the major issues, and be found wanting in the sight of God.