Wealthy parents caught up in a $25 million college admissions cheating scandal dubbed “Operation Varsity Blues” got a tax write-off for bribes allegedly funneled through the same type of non-profit organization that allows individuals to avoid paying taxes on money they give to their church.
Southern Baptist lawmakers leading the way in seeking Johnson Amendment repeal
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.
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.
Vice President Mike Pence stirs up ‘values voters’ for mid-term elections
Vice President Mike Pence urged evangelical Christians not to let complacency jeopardize gains achieved during the last two years by President Donald Trump in a speech Saturday at the Family Research Council’s Values Voter Summit. “The choice in this election…
Missouri Baptist group opposes Senate candidate’s call for Johnson Amendment repeal
A moderate Baptist organization in Missouri reiterated its support for a provision in the federal tax code barring churches from endorsing or opposing political candidates that has suddenly emerged as an issue in one of the most-watched U.S. Senate races…
Trump treats evangelical supporters to ‘state dinner’
Evangelist Paula White presented President Donald Trump with a Bible signed by more than 100 evangelical Christians with the inscription “History will record the greatness that you have brought for generations,” according to a White House transcript of an event…
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.
Baptists come out winners — and losers — in omnibus spending bill
Causes advocated by U.S. Baptists were both winners and losers in a $1.3 trillion omnibus spending bill passed by Congress that postpones another major budgetary showdown for at least six months.
Baptists among nearly 150 groups opposing Johnson Amendment repeal
In advance of Thursday’s National Prayer Breakfast, 145 organizations called on Congress to reject attempts to weaken a rule that bars churches receiving tax-exempt status from engaging in partisan politics.