By Rev. Robert Babcox | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
“Shhhhh, Pastor, you can’t say that!”
That’s what they want us to believe. That if we dare speak the truth about what’s going on in our country, we’re risking our church’s tax status. But here’s the thing—truth doesn’t come with a mute button.
Let me explain where this all started: The Johnson Amendment—for what good it has done, or should I say what good it has prevented.
The Johnson Amendment is a provision in the U.S. tax code, in place since 1954, that prohibits all 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations from endorsing or opposing political candidates. These organizations range from charitable foundations to universities and churches.
It’s named for then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson of Texas, who introduced it in a preliminary draft of the law in July 1954. The amendment affects nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax exemptions, which are subject to absolute prohibitions on engaging in political activity. Specifically, they’re prohibited from conducting political campaign activities or intervening in elections to public office. And it applies to all 501(c)(3) groups—not just churches.
No one seems to know exactly why Johnson introduced H.R. 8300 in the 83rd Congress. It was voted on without debate and wasn’t considered controversial.
Why? Because there were anti-government and discriminatory groups—some with 501(c)(3) status. There’s one example you’ve probably heard of: the KKK.
Now NO ONE would want an organization like that endorsing a candidate.
So the thought was, let’s make sure people like the KKK don’t have a voice. The problem is, when you take the rights away from idiots, you can inadvertently take them from those who only want the best for this country and its people.
LBJ was a believing Christian—a member of the Disciples of Christ. Lady Bird, his wife, was an Episcopalian. Yes, they were Democrats. But we have to remember: the Democrats of JFK’s day were NOT the Democrats of today.
If JFK were alive today, he’d most likely be a Republican.
Now that the history lesson’s out of the way…
Politicians have tried to repeal the Johnson Amendment four different times. Each time, the motion was defeated—mostly because the political landscape has changed. The left does NOT want pastors or other religious figures endorsing politicians or political ideals.
We can see why when we look at the 2020 census, where 68% of Americans identified as Christian.
I hate using the word “identify,” because these days some of the mentally ill in this country identify as cats or dogs. But those of us who are of sound mind can see past the mental illness.
Now remember, that 68% includes all Christian denominations—some of which preach to the mentally ill in a language and theology they can relate to.
But when you consider that Catholics and Southern Baptists make up the vast majority of that 68%—which is 236.13 million people out of 347.28 million citizens—you begin to see why the left doesn’t want Christians voting, let alone speaking. In truth, they don’t even want us to exist.
As the act stood, a pastor risked getting his church in trouble if he spoke out against a political candidate or sitting politician.
I’ve always believed the First Amendment was never intended to muzzle anyone—including pastors.
Nor did one of our earliest presidents–sorry–more history. In 1802—slightly before Pastor Bob was born—Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptists.
He said: “I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.”
You see, the intent was not to have freedom from religion in politics—but freedom of religion in politics.
A pastor’s job is to guide Christ’s flock while in this world, even though they are not of this world.
And I don’t think ANYONE would argue that there’s more need for guidance today than there was in 1802. Remember—that was just 11 years after the Bill of Rights was ratified. Even then, the faithful felt muzzled.
I am happy to say this just happened: On July 7, 2025, in a court filing, the IRS carved out a significant new exception to the Johnson Amendment. Churches are now allowed to endorse political candidates in their “usual channels of communication” with no tax-related consequences.
That means on Sunday, I can say what a lunatic Maxine Waters is without fear of reprisal from the almighty IRS.
Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be biblical for me to say that. But I can say—biblically and now in accordance with IRS policy—she’s one viper in a den of vipers.
This is the kind of freedom our Founding Fathers—and our Heavenly Father—wanted for us. To speak “truth” in a loving and Christian way.
Our wonderful president is trying to fulfill a campaign promise from 2016 and push for a full repeal of the Johnson Amendment. Please pray for his success.
We still don’t want the idiots to speak. But their voices will be drowned out by the once-silent majority—those who stayed quiet out of fear of reprisal. Isn’t it funny that the silent majority respects the law and protests peacefully, yet lives in fear of the government?
But now, we can speak the truth without fear of government reprisal.
I find it very refreshing that a businessman knows more about the Constitution than most politicians.
While President Trump is Making America Great Again, the faithful can now Make America Rejoice Again!
Rev. Robert Babcox is the senior pastor at Orchard Mesa Baptist Church in Grand Junction.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.