Why Religious Leaders Should Not Endorse Candidates
The Johnson Amendment is a defense of integrity
Rabbi David Wolpe
David Wolpe is the Max Webb Senior Rabbi of Sinai Temple in Los Angeles.
Sept. 28, 2016
Almost every day I am asked which candidate I support and whether I will endorse a candidate to my congregation. I explain that not only do I believe it unwise, but to do so imperils the tax-exempt status of my synagogue.
Donald Trump has been advocating for the overturn of the Johnson amendment, which prohibits houses of worship advancing or hindering specific candidates or political parties. Some clergy members feel that this is an unfair limitation. They believe they should be able to speak in favor of candidates or parties they endorse, and they resent the possible rescinding of their tax-exempt status.
As the Rabbi of a synagogue that includes people of very different political views, I have given this question a good deal of thought. Clergy members are allowed to advocate for specific issues: many have taken stands on abortion or civil rights, for example. But they may not promote a party or candidate. I think that is a sensible and helpful rule.
There are messy questions of how advocacy would work—could people funnel money through tax-exempt religious institutions to their candidates, or use religious organizations to lobby for specific candidates? But aside from such process issues, more fundamental are three reasons why the Johnson Amendment is good for religion and good for the country.
http://time.com/4509892/johnson-amendment-is-good-for-religion/
