Written by Don Byrd
In honor of Independence Day, a guide to Religious Expression in American Public Life is being re-released (pdf) by the Wake Forest School of Divinity. The joint statement of current law was drafted by several religious liberty advocates including the Baptist Joint Committee and originally released in 2010. It is a testament to the beauty and wonder of American freedom, as well as a helpful set of parameters worth maintaining during this election season.
Happy 4th of July to all! Here’s a snippet:
May religious groups and people participate in the debate of public issues?
Yes. Religious individuals and groups, like nonreligious individuals and groups, have a right to participate in the debate on all issues that are important to political and civic life. As the Supreme Court said in 1970: “Adherents of particular faiths and individual churches frequently take strong positions on public issues … Of course, churches as much as secular bodies and private citizens have that right.”13 For example, religious leaders and organizations frequently take positions on legislative bills, and they sometimes boycott certain corporations or launch media campaigns about their congregations or about public issues. This kind of activity usually is protected by the First Amendment.14 Note that, if an entity wishes to qualify for and maintain status as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, then it will need to comply with certain restrictions on its political activities that apply to all 501(c)(3) organizations (whether religious or not)…
See a version for iPad here.
