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.
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….
Jesus, Mary and Joseph! American Christianity’s shattered witness
This Advent, the Jesus Story has been sordidly deployed in defense of a political candidate beset by shameful accusations and ineffectual self-righteousness.
Is Christian decline in U.S. prompting evangelicals to seek government endorsement? Maybe.
Eighty-three nations have an official, state-endorsed religion or give preferred treatment to one over others, according to a Pew Research Center study, which lists the United States among 106 countries that have no official or preferred faith. But is that changing? It might appear so, as the increasingly rapid descent of organized religion may be fueling some Christians’ drive to codify faith in America.
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.