Stunner! Congress considering free speech for pastors
Proposal would overturn Lyndon Johnson’s censorship plan for critics
BOB UNRUH
WND.com
2/1/2017
There’s a new boss in Washington and new attention being paid to conservative issues, and now Congress is even considering a plan that would restore free speech to church pastors, who were among the targets of a measure initiated by Lyndon Johnson when he fought for re-election to the Senate and wanted to shut up his critics.
That was way back in 1954, when Johnson – upset that a conservative organization was supporting his opponent – forced his censorship plan through Congress.
It restricts the ability of nonprofits, including churches, to make partisan political statements or endorsements.
President Trump expressed concern about the IRS statute during the campaign, and even left-leaning organizations have admitted it is an issue.
The argument for Johnson’s measure is that organizations receiving tax-exempt status from the government should not be permitted to support or oppose candidates for office. But it’s admitted that Johnson likely was motivated by a desire to exact revenge when he sponsored it.
The legal powerhouse Alliance Defending Freedom long has run a Pulpit Freedom Sunday in which it encourages pastors to challenges the rule, but the IRS hasn’t taken the bait to enforce the law and force a court precedent.
But now it’s in front of Congress again.
The Rest…HERE
