US no longer secular, church-state separation ends? IRS says pastors can back political candidates without risking their church’s tax-exempt status

The Internal Revenue Service will not punish pastors endorsing political candidates during church services. This decision stems from a legal agreement with the National Religious Broadcasters Association. The agreement challenges the Johnson Amendment, restricting political activity by tax-exempt religious groups. A lawsuit was filed against the IRS last August, alleging First Amendment rights violations.