But Don't Tax Her Free Speech Rights
It was a set-up--but by who? Where was Wiles?
Speaking of set-ups, who steered the President to the BlackRock Kill-Box in Butler?
Regardless, even #FakeWoke Pastors have Free Speech Rights without losing tax-exempt status. Repeal the Johnson Amendment * WorldNetDaily * by Joseph Farah:
"The American War of Independence has been characterized as one inspired in the pulpits of the colonies.
"No king but King Jesus," was one of the slogans of those who fought the British soldiers, leading to the creation of a new independent state and the greatest explosion of freedom the world has ever known.
Because our founders believed churches were essential to maintaining the kind of Christian culture necessary for a free society in America, houses of worship were free of taxation and regulation by government.
Pastors, priests and rabbis were free to say what they wanted to say about politics and the issues of the day through the early history of our nation – in fact, right up until 1954.
That year, Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson, D-Texas, was facing opposition in his re-election bid from Christians and anti-communists, some of whom were speaking their minds freely from the pulpits.
Johnson, a powerful figure in the Senate who would later become John F. Kennedy's vice president and succeed him following the assassination in 1963, had a solution for his own political predicament – to muzzle churches and clergy with federal regulations.
Through what became known as "the Johnson Amendment," the U.S. Congress changed the Internal Revenue Service code, prohibiting non-profits, including churches, from endorsing or opposing political candidates.
It should have been seen as a clear infringement of the First Amendment back in 1954, but it wasn't. And this most regrettable action has haunted America ever since.
Recently, Wiley Drake, pastor of the First Southern Baptist Church of Buena Park, Calif., was notified by the IRS he is under investigation for endorsing Mike Huckabee's candidacy for president. His crime? Using church letterhead and a church radio show for speaking his mind.
Now his church is threatened with losing its tax-exempt status as a result.
Whether you agree with Wiley Drake or not, he and his church have every right to take a position on who should be our next president without risking the church's tax status. Under the First Amendment, Congress has no power to tax churches. Period. End of story. Under the First Amendment, Congress has no power to stifle freedom of speech.
Ever since 1954, the government has unevenly applied its illegitimate oversight of churches – winking as some pastors turn their churches over to political candidates to make stump speeches, while warning others it is inappropriate.
There is only one real solution – repeal the Johnson Amendment.
Just as we learned that repealing the Fairness Doctrine in 1987 resulted in an explosion of lively political debate in the broadcast industry, so will the repeal of the Johnson Amendment result in an explosion of political debate in the pulpits.
And what's wrong with that?" .......
The Body of Christ has authority over governments, not vice versa. Lord Jesus, we speak and claim our Rightful Authority over our government, Amen. We speak, decree and see an end to this un-American and un-Biblical doctrine in the Name of Jesus, so be it!
No Professor Fea, The Founders Did Not Want Ministers to Stay out of Politics - WallBuilders:
“…John Adams observed this same behavior toward the patriotic preachers of his day, noting that:
It is curious to observe the conduct of the Tories [those who opposed the patriots] towards this sacred body. If a clergyman preaches against the principles of the Revolution and tells the people that upon pain of damnation they must submit to an established government of whatever character, the Tories cry him up as an excellent man and a wonderful preacher, invite him to their tables, procure him missions from the society and chaplainships to the navy, and flatter him with the hopes of lawn sleeves [i.e., a special church appointment]. But if a clergyman preaches Christianity, and tells the magistrates that they were not distinguished from their brethren for their private emolument [personal economic benefit] but for the good of the people – that the people are bound in conscience to obey a good government but are not bound to submit to one that aims at destroying all the ends of government – Oh, sedition! Treason!
Significantly, Adams goes on to specifically reject Fea’s position, declaring:
It is the duty of the clergy to accommodate their discourses to the times – to preach against such sins as are most prevalent and recommend such virtues as are most wanted [lacking]. For example, if exorbitant ambition and venality [public corruption and bribery] are predominant, ought they not to warn their hearers against these vices? If public spirit is much wanted [lacking], should they not inculcate this great virtue? If the rights and duties of Christian magistrates [public officials] and subjects are disputed, should they not explain them, show their nature, ends, limitations, and restrictions, how much soever it may move the gall [anger the critics] . . .
We should not adopt LBJ’s Johnson Amendment position, meant to silence and defund pastors–but only pastors who dissent from the Swamp Narrative.
Let Freedom Ring! Our God will deal with these Woke Jokes, Hallelujah!
ps: Church Lady meets Hunter: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8F7sFru/