U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that allows tax-exempt churches to more actively participate in politics and could free religious organizations to deny employees insurance coverage for birth-control pills.
This is a great move to restore free speech after a nearly 60-year ban on free speech.
In 1954, Congress approved an amendment by Sen. Lyndon Johnson to prohibit 501(c)(3) organizations, which includes charities and churches, from engaging in any political campaign activity. To the extent Congress has revisited the ban over the years, it has in fact strengthened the ban. The most recent change came in 1987 when Congress amended the language to clarify that the prohibition also applies to statements opposing candidates.
irs.gov/newsroom/charities-churches-and-politics
People cite the “separation of church and state” as the reason for this ban. However, the words “separation of church and state” do not appear anywhere in the constitution. This was a shady amendment, created by a highly progressive president in the 1950s, who wanted to silence the traditional/religious voice in the USA from political speech.
Why this ever happened in spite of our First and some may say MOST IMPORTANT constitutional amendment in the “Bill of Rights” is beyond me. Churches are not state actors, they are private, and protected by the first amendment, and should not be excluded from it.
This move by Trump is one of my most favorite things about his presidency to date.
Reference:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-religion-idUSKBN18025T
The first amendment would read very clearly without confusion, that religions and non-profits would be protected in their speech.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment
Bravo President Trump!
