IRS Says Churches Can Endorse Political Candidates

Wednesday, July 09, 2025

The IRS in a new federal court filing says that churches can endorse political candidates without risking the loss of their tax-exempt status.

Posted by whatsleft at 05:30 PM | 71 COMMENTS | permalink

Since 1954, an IRS rule had barred houses of worship from explicitly endorsing political candidates.

[image or embed]
-- NPR (@npr.org) Jul 8, 2025 at 11:07 AM

Comments

Trump defies the Constitution once again.

#1 | Posted by Sycophant at 2025-07-08 11:28 AM

If the US Government can't tax churches, shouldn't the same apply to ANY form of commercial entertainment? I mean, isn't that all organized religion really is... show business?

#2 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2025-07-08 11:29 AM

If the US Government can't tax churches, shouldn't the same apply to ANY form of commercial entertainment? I mean, isn't that all organized religion really is... show business?

#2 | Posted by Whatsleft

Not even close. Name another form of entertainment that lies to you and demand you believe the lie.

Not even magic shows expect you to believe they are really magic.

#3 | Posted by Sycophant at 2025-07-08 11:48 AM

"Name another form of entertainment that lies to you and demand you believe the lie."

Fox News.

#4 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-07-08 12:04 PM

The law was in place so that political donations would NOT be tax-deductible.

Welcome to Trumplandia.

#5 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-07-08 12:09 PM

Not even magic shows expect you to believe they are really magic.

POSTED BY SYCOPHANT

Do you really think that all Christians truly believe? You don't have to be a believer to attend a church. Some folks just need to believe in something (most were born into Christianity so it is familiar to them) and there is a strong desire to belong to something.

Anyway ... Magic shows are much more fun if you believe in magic.

#6 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-08 12:18 PM

so now it's legal for all churches to do

what black churches have been doing for

decades.

well 0kay then

#7 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2025-07-08 01:32 PM

It's been done all along by most major churches.

Of course you made it a race thing.

#8 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-07-08 01:33 PM

AH I see what your problem is.

NOW a church can do the same for a republican

and suddenly the degenerates return to

constitutional scholars

#9 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2025-07-08 01:34 PM

My problem is NO CHURCH should be endorsing candidates, period.

You're okay with it because BOTH SIDES!

#10 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-07-08 01:35 PM

you made it a race thing.

You can't be a Trump supporter if you're not racist.

#11 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-07-08 01:35 PM

#8 | Posted by Alexandrite

wrong as usual...shchite like hillary

and poverty pimp bastards like al shartop

did.

it was about gd pos democrat scum....not blacks.

#12 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2025-07-08 01:36 PM

he degenerates

I'm a heathen and a blasphemer, not a degenerate.

A degenerate is who you voted for. 3 wives cheated on them all.

#13 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-07-08 01:36 PM

so now it's legal for all churches to do
what black churches have been doing for
decades.
#7 | POSTED BY SHRIMPdick

Dylann Roof is your hero.

#14 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-07-08 01:37 PM

Why would a church endorse a brain dead------------ who killed 1.2 million Americans?

#15 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-07-08 01:39 PM

probably "pro-life"

#16 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-07-08 01:40 PM

"Name another form of entertainment that lies to you and demand you believe the lie."

You've never seen a Spielberg film?

#17 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-07-08 01:44 PM

"Name another form of entertainment that lies to you and demand you believe the lie."

Fox News.

#4 | Posted by Danforth

...you win this round...

#18 | Posted by Sycophant at 2025-07-08 02:06 PM

All a pastor has to do is say "Abortion" and Democrats lose voters.

#19 | Posted by lee_the_agent at 2025-07-09 11:22 AM

" My problem is NO CHURCH should be endorsing candidates, period ... .

#10 | POSTED BY ALEXANDRITE AT 2025-07-08 01:35 PM | FLAG: "

I agree with you on this. Instead of leveling the playing field by allowing churches to endorse Republicans too, this playing field should have been leveled in the other direction - no more Democrats using tax exempt churches in blue cities as a campaign platform.

#20 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-09 11:50 AM

Always with the whataboutism.

#21 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-07-09 11:53 AM

This is wonderful news for Muslims for Trump.

#22 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-07-09 05:37 PM

#21. Am I wrong?

#23 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-09 09:19 PM

@nbsp

@#23 ... Am I wrong? ...

While I have not read this thread, I will say, in response to your current alias' question --- usually, that seems to be the case.

#24 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-07-09 10:45 PM

@#23 ... Am I wrong? ...

OK, I've read most of this thread, specifically, the posts involved in this reply/

I will say, that your comment may or may not be wrong.

Why do I say that?

Because your current alias' #20 comment makes assertions for which it provided zero data to substantiate.

Asked differently...

@#20 ... this playing field should have been leveled in the other direction - no more Democrats using tax exempt churches in blue cities as a campaign platform. ...

Got evidence?

#25 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-07-09 10:51 PM

" Got evidence?

#25 | POSTED BY LAMPLIGHTER AT 2025-07-09 10:51 PM | FLAG: "

Are you truly unaware of it? It's been going on for decades.

#26 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-09 11:27 PM

" WATCH: Harris speaks at church in Detroit"

www.pbs.org

#27 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-09 11:29 PM

" Old horse' Rangel hits the Harlem church circuit"

www.politico.com

" I'm a pastor who hates abortion, opposes gay marriage " and is voting for Harris"

www.msnbc.com

" More than 1,000 faith leaders endorse Harris"

www.cnn.com

#28 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-09 11:34 PM

Old horse' Rangel hits the Harlem church circuit"
www.politico.com

" I'm a pastor who hates abortion, opposes gay marriage " and is voting for Harris"

www.msnbc.com

" More than 1,000 faith leaders endorse Harris"

www.cnn.com

Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-09 11:34 PM | Reply

Your whataboutism is predictable. It's wrong for them too. Just sayin

#29 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-07-09 11:37 PM

" Your whataboutism is predictable. It's wrong for them too. Just sayin

#29 | POSTED BY LAURAMOHR AT 2025-07-09 11:37 PM | FLAG: "

Scroll up thread. You will find that I'm in agreement with you.

#30 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-09 11:54 PM

See #20

#31 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-09 11:55 PM

Laura Mohr,

Look at the post you cited in context. Lamplighter was badgering me for proof of my claim so I provided it.

#32 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-09 11:58 PM

Are you truly unaware of it? It's been going on for decades.

#26 | Posted by BellRinger

He won't be back

He vanishes like a vampire to sunlight.

#33 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-07-09 11:58 PM

@#26 ... Are you truly unaware of it? It's been going on for decades. ...

So, your current alias has got nothing?

Stated differently, if it were so prevalent, evidence would be easy to find.

#34 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-07-10 12:10 AM

@#29 ... It's wrong for them too. Just sayin ...

I agree.

Church and state separation.

#35 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-07-10 12:12 AM

Lamplighter,

See #27 and 28

#36 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-10 12:15 AM

@#36 ... See #27 and 28 ...

My first comment, that is not good. I do not want religion to enter into politics, but that Democrats may be doing it now is a reaction to what Republicans have done for decades.

Or has your current alias forgotten the Moral Majority of a few decades ago?

So, maybe, Democrats doing that now are just a reaction to the GOP has been doing it for decades.

I will say, that neither should be doing it. Period. Full stop.

But, that was how fmr Pres Reagan won the South, and the GOP has been exploiting that since then.

So, now the Democrats are finally (as usual, too late to the ballgame) catching up to that political tactic...

Yeah. I'd prefer that the exploitation of religion by politicians would stop, by both parties.

#37 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-07-10 12:31 AM

Lamplighter,

My Charlie Rangel (may he rest in peace) link is from 2014.

#38 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-10 12:53 AM

@#38 ... My Charlie Rangel (may he rest in peace) link is from 2014. ...

Does not change my #37.

#39 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-07-10 01:03 AM

Yes it does. Dems have been using inner city churches as a bully pulpits for decades.

#40 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-07-10 01:35 AM

Oh please....all of you for the love of God...stop it with the separation of church and state --------.

churches, as this thread validates, can say whatever they want. They've always been able to do that.

The IRS doesn't want to referee this ------- match no matter who is preaching politics.

#41 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-10 09:19 AM

Dems have been using inner city churches as a bully pulpits for decades.

#40 | POSTED BY BELLRINGER

Just fighting fire with fire.

Many churches have secretly done this for years. That does not make it right.

This is another step in following the blueprint of Project 2025.

It's all in there.

America was warned. You dine gone and FAFOed didn't ya?

Now Christian Nationalism is closer than ever.

#42 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-10 11:37 AM

Oh please....all of you for the love of God...stop it with the separation of church and state --------.

How about no.

How about GFY. Or grow up and catch a clue for Allah's sake.

Churches are monarchical in nature. They believe the universe is ruled by a monarch. That is antithetical to a democracy.

The wall between church and state is fundamental in maintaining that democracy.

The separation of church and state enables all Americans to practice their deeply held beliefs in private and in public and in safety.

#43 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-10 11:42 AM

The wall between church and state is fundamental in maintaining that democracy.
#43 | Posted by donnerboy

^
Republicans aren't particularly interested in maintaining democracy.
Many Republicans reject that the United States is a democracy.
Tell Donnerboy I'm right, Eberly.

#44 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-07-10 11:44 AM

-That is antithetical to a democracy.

No it isn't.

You're just a big baby who's throwing a lifetime temper tantrum because you can't get what you want.

You're an intolerant little wimp who's tired of being looked down upon.

Too bad.

#45 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-10 12:30 PM

-The wall between church and state is fundamental in maintaining that democracy.

And churches expressing their views is also an example of democracy.

And nothing prohibits it. The closest to anything that limits it is the status of being classified as a nonprofit.

And it's challenging to enforce that.

But keep crying like the little ----- you are, dumbfuk.

#46 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-10 12:33 PM

BellRinger's whataboutism aside, tax exempt status should be stripped from ALL organized religion, no matter who they side with ideologically.

My point remains that they should be taxed just like the entertainment industry, or any other for-profit endeavor. If organized religion is genuinely doing any good works, they can write those expenses off against their revenues.

And just to be clear, I feel the same way about most large NFP's.

#47 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2025-07-10 12:34 PM

"tax exempt status should be stripped from ALL organized religion, no matter who they side with ideologically."

Neither political party is going to pursue that.

#48 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-10 12:35 PM

"churches expressing their views is also an example of democracy."

Not in America. In America, churches expressing YOUR views are an example of democracy. All others mean divisiveness and hatred.

Remember how everyone screeched when Dearborn started football practices at midnight during Ramadan?

#49 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-07-10 12:45 PM

Donating to political parties isn't deductible.

Or wasn't...until now.

#50 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-07-10 12:46 PM

I don't attend church anymore, but if I did, and the preacher uttered a single political opinion, I would excommunicate myself on the spot!

#51 | Posted by john47 at 2025-07-10 12:58 PM

And churches expressing their views is also an example of democracy.

No one is saying churches can't "express their views". Just don't ask me to support it and pay for it by allowing them to do it tax free.

"But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

The problem is now my pocket is getting picked and "legs are being broken" in America and all across the globe.

And now even the IRS is being weaponized for Trumpy in accordance with project 2025.

This is what happens when you put a certified auctioneer with limited tax experience and no college degree in charge of the IRS.

The Johnson Amendment is a provision in the U.S. tax code, since 1954, that prohibits all 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Section 501(c)(3) organizations are the most common type of nonprofit organization in the United States, ranging from charitable foundations to universities and churches.

Expect lawsuits.

#52 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-10 01:06 PM

You're talking about hypocrisy ... ... not democracy

There is nothing undemocratic about a church expressing its view or simply facilitating a discussion about a political issue.

It's a great example of democracy.

The tax issue is separate. I agree with most of you on the tax issue.

Let's face it. Some of you are full of ----. You don't care about the tax issue as much as you care about that election results disappoint you.

Democracy pisses you off.

It pisses you off so much it causes you to claim it's undemocratic.

That much anger makes you really ------ dumb.

#53 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-10 01:18 PM

-The problem is now my pocket is getting picked

LOL

Here is your $.39

#54 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-10 01:20 PM

None of you want to tax churches.

You want them to Shut up.

#55 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-10 01:26 PM

There is nothing undemocratic about a church expressing its view or simply facilitating a discussion about a political issue.

It's a great example of democracy.

You sir are an idiot.

Churches are not democratic. They do not believe in democracy. They are theocratic. They believe in theocracy.

Churches do not allow you the freedom to say it think what you want. You say and think what THEY want. Or you are not a part of that church.

This is from a Christian website. There are hundreds of other similar quotes out there. This one was pretty specific.

As sacred as many think democracy is to the protection of America's freedom, democracy is a rather insignificant, if not contrarian philosophy for the Christian church. The freedom we have in Christ has nothing to do with the will of the people. The pillar of democracy, the rule of the people, is something our Lord never commends. What the church believes, teaches, and confesses is not dependent on how the majority votes.

#56 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-10 01:27 PM

Re 56

"There is nothing undemocratic about a church expressing its view or simply facilitating a discussion about a political issue.

It's a great example of democracy."

Should have been in quotes.

#57 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-10 01:28 PM

Let's face it. Some of you are full of ----.

#53 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-10 01:18 PM | Reply | Flag:

You're being nice again...

#58 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-07-10 01:31 PM

-Churches do not allow you the freedom to say it think what you want. You say and think what THEY want. Or you are not a part of that church.

You're quite transparent ... ... .I'll give you that.

Never in my life have I experienced anything like that.

Good grief. You're just angry. Stomp your feet, hold your breath, cry out loud angry.

Nothing more

There is a difference between expressing a view and telling people what they have to do.

#59 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-10 01:34 PM

"tax exempt status should be stripped from ALL organized religion, no matter who they side with ideologically."

Neither political party is going to pursue that.

POSTED BY EBERLY

That wouldn't have something to do with the power of the church and the fear of them turning that power against them now would it?

#60 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-10 01:35 PM

Yes.

Democracy. Which you hate

#61 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-10 02:08 PM

Honestly I don't think you hate democracy but you're acting like you do.

You hate losing.

#62 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-10 02:25 PM

None of you want to tax churches.
You want them to Shut up.
#55 | Posted by eberly

I want to tax the churches. And the synagogues. And the mosques. And the Church of Scientology. All of 'em.

As for shutting them up, remember how all y'all racist Republicans felt about the Mosque at Ground Zero. Shutting people up is your guys's thing.

#63 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-07-10 03:48 PM

"I want to tax the churches. And the synagogues. And the mosques. And the Church of Scientology. All of 'em."

Perpetual victim of class warfare

#64 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-10 04:12 PM

Lib dreams of taxing churches forever dashed

#65 | Posted by THEBULL at 2025-07-10 06:19 PM

"Perpetual victim of class warfare"

Well actually the deal is, since you're not paying any taxes, you shouldn't have representation in politics, so you shouldn't be directly campaigning and stuff.

Now that that's gone, the tax exemption should go with it.

But wyu can't really be telling us with a straight face made-up religions like Scientology and Eckancar shouldn't get taxed. I mean, unless you're a Mormon, which seems unlikely with the drinking.

#66 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-07-10 11:25 PM

"Lib dreams of taxing churches forever dashed"

Until reason and sanity returns with the next IRS commissioner appointed by a Democrat President.

The pendulum swings like the pendulum do ...

#67 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-11 11:51 AM

Honestly I don't think you hate democracy but you're acting like you do.

Honestly I don't think you understand democracy but you are acting like you do.

What I hate losing.. is my democracy.

#68 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-07-11 11:53 AM

Let me know when you goons are prepared to accept abortion as a tax-free religious ceremony.

#69 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-07-11 11:58 AM

Good grief.

The ----------- here....just amazes me.

What democracy did the IRS just take from you?

Is anybody under the delusion that the IRS changed their policy or stance on something?

They didn't. They merely clarified an already in place policy that's always been the policy.

Churches can do whatever they want. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Nobody lost their democracy. At least not with this statement. Citizens United, gerrymandering, etc....those are different issues worth arguing (and we do all the time)

You didn't have it to begin with if you're going to insist churches are taking something from you.

bunch of goddam wimps. all of you.

#70 | Posted by eberly at 2025-07-11 12:03 PM

"What democracy did the IRS just take from you?"

The one where political donations are NOT deductible.

#71 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-07-11 12:29 PM

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