New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo passed a new law that bans churches from speaking about politics. The new law is a version of the federal Johnson Amendment, which “bars non-profit entities like religious organizations from endorsing candidates or donating to political campaigns.”
I can understand the separation of church and state. However, religion and politics go hand in hand. For a bill to be passed that bans churches from speaking about politics is absurd. This would mean that pastors could not speak out about abortion or gay marriage.
New York State Senator Liz Krueger said, "This is a simple bill that serves an important purpose – to keep in place standards we have had in this country for over sixty years that shield not-for-profits and houses of worship from political entanglement."
She added, "The administration in Washington has repeatedly said they want to repeal these protections and open the door for big-money donors to launder campaign contributions through churches, mosques, and synagogues."
According to the IRS:
The ban on political campaign activity by charities and churches was created by Congress more than a half century ago. The Internal Revenue Service administers the tax laws written by Congress and has enforcement authority over tax-exempt organizations. Here is some background information on the political campaign activity ban and the latest IRS enforcement statistics regarding its administration of this congressional ban.
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.
This is a direct violation of the First Amendment, which states: "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."
"Congress shall make no law..."
What more will Democrats try to get away with? They will do everything in their power to take away the rights of the American people and as long as no one is standing against them, they won't have a reason to stop. This is the biggest reason they want to impeach Donald Trump. He does not go along with their dirty plans.