tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post1680862051631526017..comments2024-03-28T00:46:19.476-04:00Comments on Religion & American Law: Who & Who Not to Vote ForBrantley Gasawayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02894338478934982958noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-60761042919675980692011-10-05T03:37:07.196-04:002011-10-05T03:37:07.196-04:00I wholeheartedly agree that the Johnson Amendment ...I wholeheartedly agree that the Johnson Amendment is in violation of the First Amendment. Church leaders should be able to speak their mind just like any other citizen. The IRS should not be used as a government tool to dictate the content of a religious sermon. However, just because someone has a right to do something does not mean they should do it. Politics is a dirty business and churches should not lower themselves by becoming involved. Clergy should be able to express official church positions on political issues, but they should stop short of actually endorsing any political candidate/party. People are smart and will be able to deduce who the church believes they should vote for by analyzing church positions on various topics. Actually endorsing candidates/parties is dangerous because it sets the stage for corruption, not to mention causes the church and the government (organizations that are supposed to be separate and autonomous) to become too close. The church should have the right to endorse a candidate without fear of punishment, but it should be a right that is never exercised.Christopher J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04936751773005561475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-56512473614448820982011-10-05T00:41:03.456-04:002011-10-05T00:41:03.456-04:00I think the Johnson Amendment is absolutely absurd...I think the Johnson Amendment is absolutely absurd and directly violates the First Amendment. I do not have statistical proof but I am sure that a large amount of church leaders have voiced their opinions on presidential candidates and political views. I am actually surprised that this Amendment was ever passed and think the church leaders definitely have a strong backing for this case. Church leaders should not be silenced before their congregation on political issues.Christyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01234417774647795668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-26919379787604195122011-10-04T11:14:02.517-04:002011-10-04T11:14:02.517-04:00In response to Sophie, while I understand that sch...In response to Sophie, while I understand that schools and religious meetings do not have the same mandatory aspect, they are both institutions which profess to be apolitical in their core beliefs and receive some governmental support. As such, if political speech in churches is disallowed by the Johnson Amendment, I feel that this precedent may result in legal action about political discussions in schools. I feel that, in both of these circumstances, there should not be government regulation.Harry R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14904234636407712910noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-26044936193123650972011-10-04T09:54:01.933-04:002011-10-04T09:54:01.933-04:00Historically, churches have been perceived as esse...Historically, churches have been perceived as essential to maintaining a peaceful and safe society. Pastors, priests, rabbis, etc. were free to say what they wanted to say about politics until the enactment of the Johnson Amendment in 1954. That year, Sen. Johnson faced intense opposition in his re-election bid from Christians and anti-Communists. In hopes of quieting this opposition group, Johnson prohibited non-profits, including churches from endorsing or opposing political candidates. I think the Johnson Amendment completely violates the First Amendment. Pastors should be free to speak out about current moral and political issues. Harry R. pointed out that a parallel could be drawn to public school teachers endorsing certain religions but I don’t think that is a fair comparison. Children are mandated to attend school, whereas no one is forced to listen to their local pastor or priest opinions on political issues.Sophie Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17822011894640320712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606201113344523885.post-63337897441258907922011-10-02T15:46:24.020-04:002011-10-02T15:46:24.020-04:00I find the issue Elena has brought up to be very i...I find the issue Elena has brought up to be very interesting. In our nation, there are many laws which are never enforced. If a law is not enforced, then it is, in fact, not a law. As such, I feel that the IRS and our federal government by extension has already accepted the unconstitutionality of the Johnson Amendment as argued by these religious groups. I also feel that a parallel could be drawn to some public school systems where some teachers display clear support for one political party or another, suggesting the constitutionality of the speech in question.Harry R.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14904234636407712910noreply@blogger.com