Guest Editorial: A Voice from the Black Pulpit on the IRS Ruling

Throughout history, the Black church has been a crucible of spiritual refuge and political liberation. From the battle to abolish slavery to voting rights, equal rights, and educational opportunities, Black church leaders have called on God and preached spiritual lessons to raise the conscience of their people, even related to politics. Yet the recent IRS decision permitting churches to endorse political candidates from the pulpit gives many Black religious leaders pause. For context, the Johnson Amendment—named after then-Sen. Lyndon B. Johnson and enacted in 1954—prohibits churches and other 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations from directly or indirectly participating in political campaigns on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. In 2017, President Donald Trump, then in his first term, reportedly told a group of religious leaders that he would “destroy” the Johnson Amendment. He fulfilled his promise this month when a court order lifted the IRS ban, ensuring Trump’s support from religious conservatives who felt it violated their free speech rights. On the surface, this appears to be a victory for religious freedom. But why now? Black clergy are confident they know why. The Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ...

Image Credit: (Wikipedia Commons)