Doorways to the State Supreme Court Chamber, Austin, Texas via The Library of Congress.

Law, Religion, and The Johnson Amendment

On November 14th, Canopy Forum will host a virtual conference regarding the recent court filing of the Internal Revenue Service which introduced a reinterpretation of the Johnson Amendment. The 1954 amendment prohibits nonprofit organizations, including charities and churches, from engaging in any political campaign activity. The new court filing could allow religious organizations greater latitude in endorsing political candidates.

Our panel of experts will examine the scope and limits of religious political endorsements under these new rules and address the following questions:

  • Should religious organizations be permitted to make political endorsements?
  • May religious organizations directly or indirectly fund political candidates or campaigns?
  • What are the permissible limitations, if any, on political speech by religious organizations?

Conference proceedings will be livestreamed and published on Canopy Forum, CSLR’s online publication. Register to attend on Zoom here. ♦

Benjamin Leff

Professor of Law, American University Washington College of Law

Michael J. Broyde

Professor of Law, Emory University School of Law

Rebecca Markert

Vice President and Legal Director, Americans United for Separation of Church and State

Kevin P. Hancock

Director, Campaign Finance Litigation, Campaign Legal Center

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