Protecting the Johnson Amendment
Religious and nonprofit groups are united against any calls to repeal or change the so-called “Johnson Amendment,” which has become shorthand for a part of the tax law that applies to all 501(c)(3) organizations. The law protects houses of worship and other nonprofit organizations from political pressure and additional dangers that come with endorsing and opposing candidates.
This page has information on how people of faith and the nonprofit community are working to keep the Johnson Amendment, and how you can join them.
Resources on the Johnson Amendment
Be ADVOCATEs, not PARTISANs: A guide for campaign season
This one-page guide provides a general overview of the permissible and problematic activities under the Tax Code for 501(c)(3) organizations when it comes to campaigns.
Video: Can churches engage in political activity?
Amanda Tyler shares the rules for churches and other 501(c)(3) organizations who want to maintain that tax status and keep their prophetic voice. Watch it on YouTube.
Podcast: Pastor Stephen Cook and Amanda Tyler
Pastor Stephen Cook discusses his support for the Johnson Amendment and how it protects houses of worship. Released June 19, 2018.
Faith Voices
More than 4,000 faith leaders — clergy and laity from all 50 states — signed a letter to Congress asking to keep the Johnson Amendment. The first version was delivered in August 2017.
Join them by signing the letter at Faith-Voices.org
Hear from them at BJConline.org/Faith-Voices.
Community Not Candidates
Religious and denominational organizations oppose a change in the law and delivered a letter to Congress in April 2017.
Read their letter and learn more:
BJConline.org/CommunityNotCandidates
Column: Reality over rhetoric
In a 2017 column, BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler discusses President Trump’s Executive Order on “religious liberty” that mentioned the Johnson Amendment, and she explains how some supporting the tax law continue to blur the lines between being generally “political” – which is permitted – and taking a partisan position for or against a candidate’s campaign for office – which is not.
Podcast: Amanda Tyler and Tim Delaney
BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler and Tim Delaney, President and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, discuss the Johnson Amendment. Released: Feb. 27, 2018.
Give Voice
More than 5,600 nonprofits have joined together asking to keep the Johnson Amendment.
Read their letter and join them at GiveVoice.org
Johnson Amendment Key Points
Changing the current law is unnecessary, unwise and unwanted.
This 2-sided printable document offers simple points as to why people of faith overwhelmingly want to keep the Johnson Amendment.
Politicize our charities and churches? No, thanks.
This 2017 column by BJC Executive Director Amanda Tyler (published by Religion News Service) shares how the Johnson Amendment protects religious groups and why people of faith want to keep it.
