Earlier this month the Supreme Court of the United States relaxed the seemingly stringent restrictions on freedom of speech and freedom of religion for churches and nonprofit organizations which had been in effect since the 1954 Johnson Amendment. Expressions of opinion on political topics or candidates, particularly when in the broad context of religious teaching, will be treated as freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

However, there appears to be a distinct line between that and direct endorsements, campaign contributions, and the use of church resources to support or oppose a political candidate. Don’t expect to see candidates stopping by the local house of worship for a meet ‘n’ greet during the coffee hour on Sunday Morning! Don’t expect to see a budget item for a political contribution to a political party or other political cause. Don’t expect to see campaign signs decorating the church’s front lawn!

So what was – or is – the 1954 Johnson Amendment that precluded free speech and religious freedom? I have said on many occasions that the country’s culture changed when President Kennedy’s, “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your County” was followed by President Lyndon B. Johnson and his Great Society. Johnson’s Great Society seemed to be bent towards the government will take care of you – and we are paying for this mentality today! Johnson’s more significant impact may have been the 1954 Amendment named for him.

In 1954 Senator Johnson was facing a tough re-election campaign for Senate from Texas. Johnson went to the Senate and introduced a bill to severely limit the freedom of speech and freedom of religion of preachers (and nonprofits) all across the country – impacting a habit that was quite common in American History for two centuries. Election Sermons were an opportunity to preach on moral principles for political decision-making vital for the community. So much has changed after that. Some of us can remember prayer in the classroom and using the Bible as a textbook. I recently read a commentary “Preaching an ‘election sermon’ is urgently needed” (Jim Antal, United Church of Christ, 2024).

To fully appreciate today’s Constitutional change we must first educate our fellow citizens in a little history, culture, and civics. The first words in Genesis 1:1 are “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” The rest of Chapter 1 tells of God making the rest of the world. God doesn’t go into detail, but much later makes nations and governments and even political parties – He made the whole world! As we progress, remember “God created.”

The next significant event in our briefest of World History is the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock in what is now Massachusetts in 1620. They left the “old country” for freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. They didn’t like being told by the King how and what to worship! Before landing all the men on board signed the Mayflower Compact which virtually said “we don’t need a king, ‘we the people’ will govern ourselves”. You probably know the rest of the story from the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, the Constitution, The War of 18212 – America’s Second War for Independence, and the American Civil War.

Throughout American History, there are two things to remember “God Created” and “We the People”. Both phrases are critical to our country’s history, and our country’s future! So, the question remains, how do we bring basic civics to our church going friends?

The knowledge of civics seems to be lacking as is the interest of “we the people” to get involved. And, the emphasis needs to be on civics, not politics – on the education and involvement of “we the people” and not just the candidate chatter.

The Hillsdale College collection of courses on History, Government, & Civics would be an excellent starting point – excellent for small group study but good for individuals too.

Speakers from Christian based public policy organizations would certainly enhance the effort. Wisconsin Family Action and Wisconsin Faith & Freedom Coalition both come to mind as excellent assets. There are others.

Closer to Election Day, Voter Guides should be readily available. These give a good perspective on the issues of the day and where each major candidate stands on the positions. I have had feedback on the reason some churches don’t have voter guides is the second “concern” is usually about the 2nd Amendment and owning a gun is not a requirement to worship there! Again, Wisconsin Family Action and Wisconsin Faith & Freedom Coalition provide pretty good Voter Guides – issue and candidate oriented and not just partisan politics. Voter Guides have been legal so the change from the Supreme Court should only enhance their use.

So, suddenly people including pastors in and around churches and other nonprofits can exercise the freedom of speech and freedom of religion but there remain limitations on political campaign activity in the “tax free zones”. Remember that in the History of Man “God Created” and the importance of “We the People” and we have a good start! Think of yourself as a “Christian (God created) American (We the People) Conservative (Love my Country)” maybe proudly adding other identifiers (from the Coulee Region)!