Why 4,000 church leaders want to keep politics out of the pulpit

I have joined more than 4,000 leaders from different faith traditions in signing a letter delivered to Congress, urging lawmakers to reject efforts to repeal or weaken the Johnson Amendment.

This is important because undermining this provision of the tax code would put our institutions themselves — our houses of worship — at risk.

The Johnson Amendment, which has been part of the tax code for six decades, prohibits all tax-exempt organizations, including houses of worship, from endorsing or opposing candidates. This is wise, since it encourages institutions to work for the common good and not on partisan politics.

My church, for example, supports people experiencing homelessness; promotes racial justice, immigrant rights and GLBTQI inclusion; cares for the environment; and discusses issues like fair wages, workers’ rights, economic justice, justice system reform, interfaith relations, etc.

My congregation is diverse and we have different opinions on some matters, yet we understand that in today’s political climate, we need spaces where people with different opinions can have dialogue with one another and live in relationship with each other.

This is exactly what current law protects. Houses of worship and nonprofit organizations can engage their members on political and social issues. They just can’t tell them who to vote for.

President Donald Trump on May 4 signed an executive order aimed at weakening the Johnson Amendment. Weakening or repealing current law will erode the public’s trust in our houses of worship and charitable organizations. Our churches will be viewed as political campaign operations. Our congregations will be divided along party lines. And our soup kitchens will be seen as Republican or Democratic, instead of as serving anyone who is in need. 

I urge the President and Congress to keep the Johnson Amendment unchanged. Our letter makes clear that thousands of faith leaders from a wide variety of religious denominations oppose any effort to repeal or weaken it. We want to keep our sacred spaces open to everyone. Caring for human beings goes beyond party lines. 

Rev. Alejandro Alfaro-Santiz is a co-pastor at Trinity Las Americas United Methodist Church.