Johnson Amendment under attack by Christian nationalist effort

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CSCJ1gYGzaI

 

Overheard (Freethought Today)

"If you’re a Christian nationalist and the nation fails, sounds like you got a pretty bad Christ over there. Sounds like you got a weak Christ over there. You know what I mean?"

https://www.freethoughttoday.com/free/overheard-september-2025/

Churches Can Now Endorse Political Candidates – It’s a Dark Money Nightmare (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Brad sits down with David Corn, Washington Bureau Chief at Mother Jones, to unpack the IRS’s quiet but monumental decision to gut the Johnson Amendment—effectively giving churches and religious organizations the green light to endorse political candidates for the first time in nearly 70 years.

They explore how this shift could turn churches into political machines fueled by dark money, spark “pay to play” dynamics among pastors, and deepen polarization within congregations. From mega-churches pushing campaign ads to local races influenced by pulpit power, the episode dives into the far-reaching consequences for democracy, transparency, and the already fragile wall between church and state.
Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/churches-can-now-endorse-political-candidates-its-a-dark-money-nightmare/

 

Trump energizes conservative Christians with religious policies and assaults on cultural targets | PBS News

Critics say he's eroding the separation of church and state.

"The ones celebrating this are the ones leaning toward this Christian nationalist bent, this ideology that Christians should have dominion over the United States government," said the Rev. Shannon Fleck, executive director of Faithful America, a progressive Christian group.

"A president with a true Christian agenda would be most concerned with uplifting those in our country who have been cast aside," she said. "The most vulnerable among us are not billionaires. Those most vulnerable among us are not these manipulators of Christianity that are seeking nothing but power."

Here are 10 ways Trump has repaid his supporters, particularly conservative evangelicals and Catholics:…

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-energizes-conservative-christians-with-religious-policies-and-assaults-on-cultural-targets

America's Best Idea (Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, Freethought Radio podcast)

We report on state/church violations in the White House, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. 

Then, FFRF Rapid Response Attorney Chris Line tells us what it means now that the IRS has announced that places of worship can endorse political candidates. 

Finally, we speak with distinguished Dartmouth historian Randall Balmer, who is an Episcopal priest, about his new book, America’s Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State.

Interview: 

https://ffrf.org/news/freethought-radio/freethought-today-july-17-2025/

Weekly Roundup: Texas Floods and the Vengeful Theology of Kristi Noem + Why the Concentration Camp Had to Be in Florida (Bradley Onishi and Daniel Miller; Straight White American Jesus podcast)

Brad and Dan begin with the devastating floods in Texas and Kristi Noem’s controversial disaster response before turning to a chilling development: a proposed concentration camp in Florida. From there, they examine the deeper forces driving these events—white Christian nationalism, the weakening of church-state separation, and newly proposed changes to the Johnson Amendment.

With insight and urgency, Brad and Dan break down the theological narratives, policy shifts, and cultural consequences shaping today’s America. They also highlight why local elections and grassroots activism remain critical in the face of mounting extremism.
Interview: 

https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/episodes/weekly-roundup-texas-floods-and-the-vengeful-theology-of-kristi-noem-why-the-concentration-camp-had-to-be-in-florida/

The End of the Johnson Amendment? (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #591)

— Is the Johnson Amendment dead? IRS says churches can now endorse candidates from the pulpit. (1:35)

— Hate-fueled, anti-gay sermons from Indiana New IFB church spark outrage. (32:30)

— Court rules against West Virginia in $5,000,000 religious grant controversy. (52:59)

— FOX & Friends promotes Creationist theme park in sponsored segment disguised as news. (1:04:25)

— “Sheep do not judge the shepherd”: Priest defends convicted abuser in shocking sermon. (1:17:20)
Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2025/07/10/the-end-of-the-johnson-amendment/

 

Religious attack on LGBTQ+ (Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor, Freethought Radio podcast)

We criticize Texas Governor Gregg Abbott for using the flood devastation as an opportunity to preach his personal religious views. 

We point out that in spite of the IRS decision not to punish two churches for politicking from the pulpit, the Johnson Amendment prohibiting such action is still the law of the land. 

After honoring the life of our friend, the Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist Steve Benson, who died this week at age 71, we talk with attorney Kat Grant about their Freethought Now “Pride Month” blog: ”Don’t make sacrifices on the altar of authoritarianism.”

Interview: 

https://ffrf.org/news/freethought-radio/freethought-today-july-10-2025/

‘Partisan politics’: how efforts to overturn the Johnson amendment could upend campaign finance

"I think it'll have as big, or a bigger impact than Citizens United," said Andrew Seidel, a constitutional attorney and expert on Christian nationalism. "I don't think people are fully prepared for a country in which churches can accept tax deductible donations in the billions of dollars and then turn around and use that money for partisan politics."… 

In the short run, overhauling the provision could, Seidel said, allow churches to function effectively as Super Pacs, accepting tax-deductible donations from politically-motivated donors and channeling them into political causes. Such a scenario could, Seidel cautions, force churches to subject themselves to the same financial disclosures that Super Pacs face. 

The church could be the subject of litigation, but then again, who's going to be running the IRS? Who's going to be enforcing that?" said Seidel. "It'll be the Trump administration."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/14/johnson-amendment-campaign-finance

Trump tells Christian leaders that America would be better off if they were more powerful

The former president also promised to try to permanently remove the so-called Johnson Amendment, which would help clergy turn their churches into more obvious MAGA propaganda machines...

https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/reidout-blog/trump-christian-leaders-churches-johnson-amendment-rcna178102

The ”Filth” in Oklahoma (Hemant Mehta and Jessica Bluemke, The Friendly Atheist podast #520)

— GOP lawmaker pushes anti-abortion propaganda bill with scientific, antisemitic lies. (1:45)

— After non-binary teen’s death, lawmaker says Christians don’t “want that filth” in Oklahoma. (19:15)

— Violating IRS rules, hate-preacher Jack Hibbs endorses candidate from pulpit… again. (36:07)

— California school board member claims Satanists are worse than literal Nazis. (59:04)

— Christian Nationalist Sean Feucht threatens Spokane officials for condemning mayor’s appearance at prayer event. (1:11:29)

Interview: 

https://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/2024/02/29/the-filth-in-oklahoma/

Churches’ Role in TX Election Prompts Calls for Investigations — ProPublica

"Beard is insisting that he has returned the donation checks, but his belated attempt at contrition doesn't mitigate the initial transgressions" of the churches making the donations, the Freedom from Religion Foundation wrote in a news release. The group has sued the IRS in the past "to force it to take steps to enforce the law against tax-exempt entities from engaging in partisan politicking, and is prepared to sue again if necessary." …

https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/16/abilene-churches-election-donations-investigations/

20 Examples of Johnson Amendment Violations, Experts Say — ProPublica

Under the law, pastors can endorse candidates in their personal capacities outside of church and weigh in on political issues from the pulpit as long as they don't veer into support or condemnation of a particular candidate. But the law prohibits pastors from endorsing candidates during official church functions such as sermons. Violations can lead to the revocation of a church's tax-exempt status…

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/11/07/churches-list-violations-johnson-amendment

IRS Looks Other Way as Churches Endorse Political Candidates — ProPublica

The Johnson Amendment does not prohibit churches from inviting political speakers or discussing positions that may seem partisan nor does it restrict voters from making faith-based decisions on who should represent them. But because donations to churches are tax-deductible and because churches don't have to file financial disclosures with the IRS, without such a rule donors seeking to influence elections could go undetected, said Andrew Seidel, vice president of strategic communications for the advocacy group Americans United for Separation of Church and State. 

 "If you pair the ability to wade into partisan politics with a total absence of financial oversight and transparency, you're essentially creating super PACs that are black holes," Seidel said.

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/10/30/johnson-amendment-elections-irs

President Trump’s shifting claim that ‘we got rid’ of the Johnson Amendment - The Washington Post

Among the many things Lyndon B. Johnson cemented into law is the “Johnson Amendment,” a provision of the U.S. tax code that prohibits religious organizations and many nonprofits from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Trump claims that he “got rid” of the amendment and that religious organizations are now free to espouse political views in the public arena. But the Johnson Amendment is still on the books, despite Trump’s repeated claims to the contrary and his 2016 campaign promises to some evangelical groups that want to see it repealed. ....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/05/09/president-trumps-shifting-claim-that-we-got-rid-johnson-amendment/

Pre-Election event for pastors' agenda says that will stop 'Satan's design' and reveal an 'actual witch' on the ballot - Raw Story

A pre-election event for pastors in West Virginia noted that their agenda was stopping Satan and to calling out a witch on the ballot. ....

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/10/pre-election-event-for-pastors-agenda-says-that-will-stop-satans-design-and-reveal-an-actual-witch-on-the-ballot/

Rep. Jody Hice: Midterms Are Spiritual Battle, Johnson Amendment Must Be Repealed This Year | Right Wing Watch

Intercessors for America, the pro-Trump group that has been mobilizing its prayer warriors to help elect “godly” candidates in the 2018 midterms, has bumped up the frequency of its monthly prayer calls and will be holding them every week between now and the election. Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia was the featured guest on last Friday’s call.....

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/rep-jody-hice-midterms-are-spiritual-battle-johnson-amendment-must-be-repealed-this-year/

Josh Hawley is trying to inject politics into the pulpit | The Kansas City Star

Last month, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Josh Hawley made an intriguing — and politically loaded — proposal to a group of conservative religious leaders in St. Louis. Hawley, who’s in a neck-and-neck race with Democratic incumbent Claire McCaskill, said he wanted to do away with a long-standing provision in the federal tax code that prohibits religious organizations and pastors from endorsing political candidates....

https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article217804295.html

Breaching the wall between church and state | Editorial | stltoday.com - Editorial

... What he's suggesting, in the guise of protecting religious freedom, is that taxpayers should be forced to fund a religious political movement for the benefit of the party he happens to belong to...

https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-breaching-the-wall-between-church-and-state/article_1264c2ea-40c3-50c8-9370-6acffd8991b5.html

How many norms can Trump and evangelical leaders break in one meeting? - The Washington Post: Opinion |

They're tied at the hip -- in a downward spiral. ....
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/opinions/wp/2018/08/29/how-many-norms-can-trump-and-evangelical-leaders-break-in-one-meeting/