Speaking to a crowd of hundreds of evangelical Christian leaders in Orlando FL last week, Donald Trump vowed to repeal the Johnson Amendment, which prohibits tax exempt organizations, such as churches, from participating in any political activities or endorsing political candidates.
The Johnson Amendment gave the federal government powers our founding fathers sought to keep from them. It was named after former President Lyndon Johnson who introduced the bill in 1954. By requiring organizations to apply for tax exempt status as a 501(c)(3) organization, the federal government then used the law to control churches.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Contributions to political campaign funds or public statements of position (verbal or written) made on behalf of the organization in favor of or in opposition to any candidate for public office clearly violate the prohibition against political campaign activity. Violating this prohibition may result in denial or revocation of tax-exempt status and the imposition of certain exercise taxes. (Source: Wikipedia)
Instead of limiting the powers of the federal government, the Johnson Amendment has effectively limited the powers of Christian leaders to speak freely about our political processes for the past 62 years. It now seems normal to most of us for Christian leaders to remain silent about politics because it is all we have ever known, but it was not that way for our nation’s first 165 years when churches were vocal about political events and were exempt from paying taxes without needing to apply for tax exempt status.
Donald Trump seems like an unlikely person to champion this cause, but he claims he will take actions to overturn this law. In his Orlando speech, Trump won the crowd by throwing out his prepared comments, turning off the teleprompter, and speaking off the cuff. He claims religious freedom is, “So important to me.”
Evangelist Pat Robertson claims, “The weight of the IRS comes against conservative Christians on the conservative end of the spectrum.” CBN News reported this story in the video below.
Given the sins of our country, a Trump victory and follow through on this campaign promise might sound like wishful thinking. Surely it could only be possible if God’s people repent (2 Chronicles 7:14). Even then, it would be by the grace and mercy of God.
Author: James Bailey
James Bailey is a blogger, business owner, husband and father of two grown children. In 1982, he surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ. In 2012, he founded Z3news.com to broadcast the message of salvation by reporting end time news before it happens.
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Thank you James for this topic! I have seen over many many years that pastors have been intimidated into silence by their legal advisors to avoid the risk of their tax exempt status. While the IRS laws specifically prohibit the endorsement of specific candidates, this prohibition has been expanded by custom and legal advice to avoid all political issues from the pulpit. This begins, when new churches are advised by their lawyers and accountants to apply for the 501(c) (3) status. Under the IRS rules, a church, not a ministry, but a church, does not need to apply to be tax exempt. A church is automatically tax exempt. Most of us do not know this and so pastors or deacon boards are advised to apply for tax exempt status. Rick Wiles discussed this problem recently. Once in the Babylonian system, since 1954, the system then intimidates pastors and their advisors into silence. Now this is not a moral excuse for the deafening silence of the American church on moral issues. The righteous response is as the Rev. Franklin Graham says, when they take biblical moral issues, call them political and say we cannot preach on them, that is baloney and we ignore their warnings, fearing God more than man. Many of us can remember the Rev. Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority, which helped to elect Ronald Reagan. However, if Trump wins and repeals these IRS rules/laws, then there will really be no excuse for timid pastors, will there? No more lawyers and accountants to hide behind. Maybe God Almighty will grant us this mercy so that His judgment on timid pastors will be seen as completely righteous, as the main legal excuse for their timidity will have been removed. To be clear, the Father does not need to grant… Read more »
Great points Joseph. Thanks!
Not only is it completely unnecessary for any church to seek 501c3 status, to do so becomes a grant of jurisdiction to the IRS by any church that obtains that State favor. In the words of Steve Nestor, IRS Sr. Revenue Officer (ret.):
“I am not the only IRS employee who’s wondered why churches go to the government and seek permission to be exempted from a tax they didn’t owe to begin with, and to seek a tax deductible status that they’ve always had anyway. Many of us have marveled at how church leaders want to be regulated and controlled by an agency of government that most Americans have prayed would just get out of their lives. Churches are in an amazingly unique position, but they don’t seem to know or appreciate the implications of what it would mean to be free of government control.”
The Church has done this to itself.
James;
Wishful thinking indeed! When was the last time a presidential candidate actually KEPT a campaign promise? Now there’s short list! Presidents who buck the elite, and try to do what is right for the people, end up dead or wounded.
We know that our faithful God would very much like to bless a repentant America; but where is she? No where to be found! At least not in a visible fashion.
In a recent writing I declared: ‘as believers we are a righteous nation within a wicked nation’. We CAN take confidence in the fact that when we as individuals do our part in heeding the call to repentance, that will cause the Lord to see US as worthy of his blessing even though we live in a nation that is not.
Although persecution and hardships are ahead, in a time of God’s Judgment the reward of the Wicked shall not be visited upon the Righteous. (Sadly the backslid and compromised will not have the faith to move in this promise, and will suffer greatly for their lukewarm ways.)
For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psalms 5:12
Blessings;
Paul
true Paul. Church has been involving with politic too much, and this will only deepen the division and hatred towards each other.
if obama has been so wrong, so why nobody could pray and stopped him 4 years ago.
and now even worsen, Church using all kind of spiritual terms and validation to endorse a political figure.
no wonder things are going to happen soon
POSTING SADHU PROPHECY ABOUT TRUMP
Start around the 2hr 43 min mark
https://youtu.be/Vt2Nca_Zfds
Very interesting. Anyone know anything about this guy? I haven’t heard of him or anyone else at this prophecy conference.
He spoke at the 2015 Lancaster Prophecy conference as well, along with Terry Bennett. Interestingly, for 2016, Terry Bennett is not presenting. I wonder why.
Sundar built http://www.angeltv.org a world wide TV network that runs out of India
Neville Johnson a Prophet out of Australia
Living Word Academy Inc.
http://www.lwa.org.au
Hi Phanuel,
In the past, I have read quite a few prophecies about Obuma will suspend the US election. Is this suspension of the US election prophecy still true or not? I used to use this suspension of the US election prophecy to tell other unsaved people to come believe Jesus Christ upon its fulfillment.
Glenda Jackson’s prophecy about Obuma’s suspension of the US election was what I call a contingent IF THEN prophecy. Also John Paul Jackson’s Perfect Storm Prophecy regarding USA judgment was also stated directly by John Paul as a contingent IF THEN prophecy. John Paul said that if the cry of God’s people was sustained and great enough then the situation will cease to worsen. In 2016 Firefighter Mark Taylor and TD Hale both state that Trump will win the presidency.
James Dobson says Mr. Trump is born again. God told Sadu Sundar Trump will be president. If nothing else Trump is shining a light on the corruption in the world and the dishonest media.
Bob, can u direct to Sadu’s prophesy on trump? thanks
Yes …would like to see that…
“Yes,would like to see that” As in reference to SADHU Selvaraj prophecy…
TAJ and Diane, I looked all over for it on the internet but couldn’t find it. I got this from a comment by Phanuel yesterday. Sorry, maybe this is how rumors begin but I have much faith in the man.
The Feds{IRS{ will not go gently into the night on the Johnson amendment. This has been a very big stick to threaten the church, and they will fight to keep that power and authority
This topic is huge! Will sleeping pastors, Elder boards and Deacons wake up and stop the judging of Trump, is my question? We need a real leader, Christ isn’t an option on Earth yet! Our pulpits for the most part, avoid Biblical teachings on judgement of our nations sins, the milk sucking, pew Christians lap up the lies from the pig trough of liberal churches and the Media!! It sickens me…folks we need to line up these party platforms which are exact opposites and prayerfully decide which platform is more in line with God’s word? Have you even read them? The GOP is the most antiabortion, pro Israel, pro security,pro 2nd Amendment, pro Constitution in its history. The Dem’s platform is ramping up the murder machines, via your tax dollar, global one world government, pro Muslim, anti 2 Amendment, pro Communist in their history! The Christian vote could well be the lynch pin in this whole powder keg. Great article, James!
Amen Carol!!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt2Nca_Zfds Sundar was taken into the Heavenly Council and shown Donald Trump (at about the 245.00 mark)
1. The council said Trump will become President.
2. He will be used to clean and purify the nation.
3. As hard as he is, he has been prepared for this.
4. As Cyrus was used to discipline Israel and then to restore Israel like wise
Trump will be used in the US.
5. He will be used to curb violence, he will be God’s mouth and hand to this nation.
I have a little trouble with the notion of a “Prophetic Counsel’ in Heaven that decides who gets elected to political positions. He (Sundar) states Abraham said ‘We have decided’. The Scriptures clearly state that it is God who sets one upon a throne and casts down another. This is a theme we see spoken consistently throughout the Scriptures. Where does it say this is the role of departed humans? I could be wrong here; but sorry I just don’t bear witness to that idea.
I also do NOT believe Trump fits the biblical criteria to be a Cyrus to this nation. It does not match the end-time prophesies; or the types and shadows of the Word. Cyrus was not King of Israel. He was a foreign (Meads) King who conquered Babylon and then sent the Israelites (AFTER 70 years captivity in another nation) back home to Jerusalem, which was again in another country..
Nathan Leal did a very good write-up showing biblically why Trump could never be considered a ‘Cyrus’. I agree with his conclusions. That article is here:
http://watchmanscry.com/?p=5803
I am open to input here, but do not agree with what I am hearing.
Blessings to all lovers of Christ;
Paul
Paul,
I am in agreement with you. As soon as I read ‘Heavenly Council’ I could feel my face wrinkle up. (I’m one of those people that shows what I am thinking with my facial expression.) I don’t agree with that at all. I also do not agree with point #5. “He (Trump) will be used to curb violence.” I have been told he is there to create chaos and confusion. I believe Trump is part of the puppet show and the Christians are being tested. Tested to see if we will be sucked into believing a man can fix our problems. Remember how many times the bible tells us not to be deceived!
The idea of God giving authority to His people is supported by many scriptures, such as Luke 10:19. Also, Hebrews 12:1 shows believers who are in heaven are witnesses to what happens on earth. The following passage shows the saints in heaven actively participate in carrying out God’s will for the earth as shown by the return of many thousands of saints with the Lord to execute judgment.
14 It was also about these men that Enoch, in the seventh generation from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with many thousands of His holy ones,
15 to execute judgment upon all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their ungodly deeds which they have done in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” (Jude 14-15)
Now it is the turn of Christians to act with their vote.
All we can do is follow Jesus and get closer to him. As I believe will see his grace in many different ways there will be tribulation for all of us and I feel in my spirit he is preparing us for what is to come. I believe he will reveal things we thought impossible but i do not think it will not get better unless we repent repent repent! With all the birth pangs and evil occurring daily I believe we should focus on him and bringing in the harvest for his kingdom.
I agree churches are tax exempt without 501(c)(3) status but more importantly God wants our tithes and offerings from a free and willing heart, cheerfully giving, not calculating the tax benefit!! I was trying to help organize a new ministry and the Lord told the pastor not to apply for this status. It is a way for govt to control and could impose requirements that don’t line up with the word of God, i.e., homosexual agendas, etc. Unfortunately, the deduction is a way to get more finances when the true blessings come back to you from your motive and sacrifice, heart issues. Overflow is in your offerings!! Tithes are expected!! Still praying for Trump and ,Pence to stand strong in the Lord and help turn America around. GOD BLESS.