Three Southern Baptist members of Congress are sponsoring legislation that seeks to repeal a law barring churches and other non-profit organizations that are exempt from paying federal income taxes from endorsing or opposing political candidates.
BJC opposes ‘government-funded religious discrimination’ in foster care
Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, said a Jan. 23 decision to grant an exception to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services policy prohibiting the use of taxpayer funds for religious discrimination “shows more concern for the providers than children in need and willing foster parents.”
Baptist leader promotes balanced view of religious liberty before Senate panel
A Baptist church-state specialist warned a Senate panel Oct. 2 against “a growing misunderstanding and sometimes willful distortion” of the constitutional right to free exercise of religion.
Baptist leader says ‘one-sided’ religious liberty task force falls short
The head of a Baptist organization specializing in matters involving church and state gave low marks to a new White House initiative to promote the administration’s views on religious liberty.
Baptist Joint Committee head ‘disappointed’ by Supreme Court decision upholding White House travel ban
The head of a Baptist religious liberty watchdog agency voiced disappointment with Tuesday’s Supreme Court decision upholding President Donald Trump’s so-called Muslim ban. “We are deeply disappointed by the Supreme Court’s refusal to repudiate policy rooted in animus against Muslims,”…
Baptist Joint Committee exec says saving Johnson Amendment a win for religious liberty
The head of a Baptist religious liberty coalition welcomed news Dec. 14 that language allowing churches and other charities to endorse candidates and engage in partisan politics is no longer included in a tax bill making its way through Congress….
Language weakening Johnson Amendment survives House of Representatives vote
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a massive spending bill Sept. 14 that includes a provision consonant with President Trump’s stated desire to “get rid of and totally destroy” a decades-old law requiring that churches and other charities accepting tax-exempt benefits stay out of partisan politics.
Baptists join other religious leaders in opposing Johnson Amendment repeal
More than 1,000 Baptist leaders signed an open letter delivered to Congress Aug. 16 opposing all efforts to weaken or repeal a section of the tax code that prevents tax-exempt nonprofit organizations from endorsing or opposing candidates for public office….
BJC head warns Johnson Amendment rollback would divide churches
A church-state specialist says language in a U.S. House spending bill limiting the ability of the IRS to deny tax-exempt status to churches for violating a ban on endorsing candidates makes them easy prey for political campaigns hunting for votes.