President Trump is promising to, finally, get rid of the Johnson Amendment. This amendment – an example of how politicians use the force of government to silence and crush their enemies – forbids 501(c)3 organizations, such as churches and many non-profits, from campaigning for or against a political candidate. The penalty for doing so is the loss of the organization’s tax status. It is an egregious display of raw political power and a total violation of the First Amendment.
However, there’s probably not a pastor alive who plans to use his church parishioners as a political machine to sway elections. I’m sure that, for the most part, the reason few pastors even speak to “political” issues has little to do with the Johnson Amendment and the IRS. While many would say that the Bible holds the answer to all our problems, few believe it enough to explore what the Bible says about politics and political issues beyond a few life-style concerns.
This is symptomatic of a cancer at the heart of today’s Christendom. The Pietistic Movement has totally convinced many of America’s Christians that the Bible does not speak to social issues, only to individual issues. That’s why one article I read on this issue claims that almost half of America’s Christians don’t want the pastor to speak on political and social issues. They are comfortable where they’re at, and don’t want anyone, even God, to disturb them.
I hope the repeal passes. It is an encumbrance on speech that should not occur in a “free” country. However, I doubt repeal will change much by itself. From what I can see, most parishioners hold the pastor’s advice in low regard anyway. The morning sermon should give a warm, fuzzy feeling, not advise us on how to live, is a common thought.
Oh my! Maybe it’s time to adopt Wesley’s idea of living a life of piety without adopting the constraints of pietism.
Askance Eye Miniblog 