Churches and Politics: A Legal Showdown

A big fight is happening in court. It could change how churches talk about politics. A group of religious organizations sued the government. They want to change a rule from 1954. This rule stops churches from supporting political candidates. The rule is called the Johnson Amendment. In November 2025, a hearing took place. The court considered a settlement. The settlement would allow churches to endorse candidates. The IRS agreed to this change. But not everyone is happy. Some groups want to stop this settlement. They say it could bring politics into churches. They worry about the impact on elections and trust in religious groups. The groups suing say the rule limits their free speech. They argue that churches should have the right to talk about candidates. But others disagree. They say churches should stay neutral. They believe politics should not mix with religion. The IRS said churches talking about politics is like family discussions. But critics say this is not true. They think it could lead to political pressure on churches. They also worry about money in elections. Churches do not have to report their funds. This could lead to secret political donations. Many nonprofits are against this change. They say it could harm trust in churches. They believe churches should stay nonpartisan. They think this change could make churches less trusted. It could also make people question their motives. The hearing ended with no final decision. All sides can still argue their case. The judge will decide later. This case could change the role of churches in politics. It could also affect how people see religion and elections.