Without the limitations put into place by the Johnson Amendment, taxpayers would essentially be forced to subsidize the political campaign activities of churches and other nonprofits.
The U.S. Constitution contains a provision guaranteeing that there can be no religious test for public office – and for that, you can thank the handiwork of a South Carolina patrician named Charles Pinckney.
Americans support the Johnson Amendment because they don’t want to see our houses of worship and charitable nonprofits become politicized. Many people feel that our nation is already too bitterly divided over politics these days.