The Johnson Amendment Act, Freedom of Speech Gone Wrong

The Johnson Amendment Act, Freedom of Speech Gone Wrong
February 25, 2020 Comments Off on The Johnson Amendment Act, Freedom of Speech Gone Wrong Local Politics, RNHA News Articles, Trump Diane Rivera López

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation (S.4347/A.623) known as the Johnson Amendment Act into law on October 23, 2019. This new law restricts non-profit corporations from participating or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of or against a candidate running for public office. It further states that

any corporation, association, trust, or community chest, fund, foundation, or limited liability company, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary or educational purposes” may not “participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office

Governor Cuomo justified it by saying,“New Yorkers have a right to free and fair elections, and this law will further protect our democracy from unjustified interferences once and for all.” Mr. Cuomo’s interferences are not the proper description of the church. People misunderstand the meaning of “the separation of church and state. Separation of church and state is to protect churches as organizations from government interference as much as citizens from oppression by the church. The church is made up of individuals whose rights will be infringed on because of their religious beliefs.

It forces members of the clergy to abstain from their civic rights and responsibilities as citizens of the United States of America. Our natural rights should be upheld to ensure that the government does not oppress the people. We should be able to express ourselves completely regardless of our occupation. Speaking from a pulpit or from the lips of a corner preacher, they should have just as much freedom as those speaking from any other corner of our society.

On May 4, 2017, Our President Trump counteracted such legislation by signing an executive order that directs the executive branch to limit its enforcement of the “Johnson Amendment.” The executive order gives the authority to all executive departments and agencies, “to the greatest extent practicable and to the extent permitted by law, respect and protect the freedom of persons and organizations to engage in religious and political speech.” It is noted that the Department of Treasury should not take any “adverse action” against any individual, house of worship or other religious organization because the individual or organization speaks on moral or political issues from a religious perspective if similar speech has not generally been treated as participating or intervening in a political campaign on behalf or against a politician by the Department of Treasury. “Adverse action” includes the imposition of tax, penalties, delay or denial of tax-exempt status and disallowance of tax deductions for contributions made to organizations that are exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Code. We thank President Trump, for this and other actions to protect our freedoms of religions, more than any other President in our history.

In closing, it is imperative to stay attentive to the effects of such legislation and there should be noticed, for all other states who try to implement this kind of law, not to stand by idle and indifferent, as if it has no bearing in our houses of worship.  This is an article directed to the leaders in the state of New York, and the defenders of freedom, to our neighboring states and to all citizens across America, to stand up and speak out to the defiance that is slowly but surely being pushed down our throats. So, I ask, at what point would we take a position to push back and say enough! What will be our turning point? We are the Body of Christ! We are strong and resilient. Today, it is this, yesterday it was the other, tomorrow if we are not prepared for the battle, what will it be? It is time to wake up Church and speak up for the people.

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About The Author
Diane Rivera López Diane Rivera López was born and raised in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. As an American – Puerto Rican her extended family has now grown into 8 different Nationalities. Her calling into Ministry began in 1996, where she became a Church leader. She then became a director and writer in Trumpet Tract Ministry, where thousands of tracts were printed and sent across several Nations. She is a community advocate and has served as a community chaplain and evangelist, she has coordinated events, conferences, and outreach services and has taught at prisons and rehabilitation programs. As a speaker she has been interviewed by national T.V programs and news networks as she also had her own T.V Program. As an activist for domestic violence, she works towards creating awareness and sharing her own powerful testimony. She has worked along recognized ministries such as Christian Radio Vision International, Parada del Niño Cristiano, Subete al Arca Christian Magazine, Premios Redención, La Universidad Cristiana and Alerta T.V Network Channel 463 Verizon. Her greatest accomplishment is said to be her experiences and revelations ranging from the Millennium, the Rapture, and the Kingdom of God and is presently working on writing her first book. She studied Communications at BMCC and has credits towards her Bachelor’s in Theology. Following a passion to write, she has written 5 blogs and is a columnist for Al Rojo News, a secular newspaper. Is currently a Primerica Financial Services Representative. In 2013, she was the Deputy Campaign Manager for Mayoral Candidate Erick Salgado, who ran as a Conservative in NY, leaving her position as County Committee Member for the Democratic Party. Her devotion to Conservative Principals has catapulted her to join the National Republican Hispanic Assembly as a Journalist since 2019 and is presently bestowed with the privilege and responsibility to be the Press Secretary for the RNHA of N.Y.