# Trump vows to dump "Johnson Amendment"(no church politicking) **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 2, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825 "2017-02-02T16:10:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/21 "2017-02-02T18:12:26Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > …accelerate the move away from religion into a stampede. “Every day people are straying away from the church and going back to God.” - Lenny Bruce ---
**Author:** ![squidfood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@squidfood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squidfood)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/22 "2017-02-02T18:19:32Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Probably wouldn’t have as bad an impact as one might fear. They will literally be preaching to the choir, and America in general is becoming increasingly secular. And the Christian Right bedding down with Trump will do nothing but accelerate the move away from religion into a stampede. There are right-wing churches and left-wing churches, and many religious institutions, like judges, that try to stay above the fray to speak from a position of conciliation or moral/human decency. To me, this is another piece of devaluing institutions (in this case religious) by encouraging all of these organizations to pick sides and join in the shouting: e.g., if the Pope chides Trump to be merciful, it can be dismissed by Trump (like he’s doing to the press) as another institution that’s against him. Yet another move out of the autocratic playbook. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/23 "2017-02-02T18:51:09Z")
How fucking petty can he possibly get? At the same National Prayer Breakfast, [he takes a juvenile swipe at the current host of “Celebrity Apprentice”.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-uses-an-actual-bully-pulpit-at-national-prayer-breakfast-to-bash-arnold-schwarzenegger-155827959.html) ---
**Author:** ![Translucent\_Daydream](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/translucent_daydream/32/16170_2.png) [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/24 "2017-02-02T19:21:36Z")
I can tell you something about churches at least in the south where are used to do fire alarm inspections on them. They seem to be a large place to put your money to hide it from Texas. Are used to do fire alarm inspections on Penecostal churches that had a fleet of hammers below the sanctuary I shit you not. There was another church that had a hidden floor between the Second and third floors that had a shrine to Nazi memorabilia that was probably illegal, like Nazi dinnerware and plates and stuff like that. It’s really creepy. The church is it seem to be falling apart we’re the ones that seem to be doing the most good in the community from my outside perspective digging through the building and seeing what was going on while I was there. ---
**Author:** ![Translucent\_Daydream](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/translucent_daydream/32/16170_2.png) [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/25 "2017-02-02T19:23:06Z")
I’m sorry my AutoCorrect on my phone is doing weird things on my laptop is down I can’t talk correctly through this but if you read my last post phonetically it might make more sense I’m sorry guys ---
**Author:** ![Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambrosio_Spinola)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/26 "2017-02-02T19:28:17Z")
This is one of those things where mucking about without thinking carefully can have serious repercussions. Specifically, if you are an individual you can get a tax deduction for contributions you make to 501©(3) organizations (subject to many asterisks). You can’t get a tax deduction for making direct contributions to political campaigns, to PACs or to certain types of advocacy groups. For the average person dropping $5 in the collection plate from time to time this doesn’t make a lot of difference, but for people who are spending seven or eight figures per election cycle trying to get their candidates elected and policies enacted this is a big damn deal. Completely “destroying” the Johnson Amendment would basically make all political fundraising come through 501© organizations set up as donation conduits, because if you had a choice between making your donation tax-deductible or not then you’d be crazy not to take the more tax-advantageous option. Personally I think this also goes against the whole philosophical premise of the 501© organizations in the first place and it would also be possible for some amazing corruption to ensue. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/27 "2017-02-02T19:30:39Z")
> [@Ambrosio\_Spinola](#): > > … it would also be possible for some amazing corruption to ensue. is that a bug, or a feature? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/28 "2017-02-02T19:41:32Z")
> [@Hocus\_Pocus](#): > > Repealing the Johnson Amendment would be a violation of the 1st Amendment. No surprise that Trump doesn’t respect the Constitution. Glass houses, dude. If what you said is true, there would be no need for the Johnson Amendment. Constitutional clauses or amendments do not need additional legislation to make them work (unless they specifically call on Congress to pass legislation). ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/29 "2017-02-02T19:42:40Z")
> [@Hocus\_Pocus](#): > > Repealing the Johnson Amendment would be a violation of the 1st Amendment. This is not a factually correct statement. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/30 "2017-02-02T20:38:26Z")
> [@aldiboronti](#): > > How on earth does it violate the 1st Amendment? I think he’s referring to the separation of church and state, though I’m not really clear that it’s a winnable argument. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/31 "2017-02-02T20:44:18Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > How fucking petty can he possibly get? > At the same National Prayer Breakfast, [he takes a juvenile swipe at the current host of “Celebrity Apprentice”.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-uses-an-actual-bully-pulpit-at-national-prayer-breakfast-to-bash-arnold-schwarzenegger-155827959.html) The response is priceless: [QUOTE=The Hill] “Hey Donald I have a great idea. Why don’t we switch jobs? You take over TV, because you’re such an expert in ratings, and I take over your job,” said Schwarzenegger in a video. “And then people can finally sleep comfortable again. Hmm?” A spokesman for Schwarzenegger also sent a statement to ABC News following Trump’s Thursday remarks. “Arnold is praying that President Trump can start improving his own approval ratings, which were the worst in history for an incoming president, by taking his job seriously and working inclusively," spokesman Daniel Ketchell said in the statement. [/QUOTE] [Arnold Schwarzenegger Responds to Trump](http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/317519-arnold-schwarzenegger-responds-to-trump-why-dont-we-switch-jobs) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/32 "2017-02-02T20:47:45Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > The response is priceless: > > [Arnold Schwarzenegger Responds to Trump](http://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/317519-arnold-schwarzenegger-responds-to-trump-why-dont-we-switch-jobs) One rule Trump _isn’t_ going to mess with-The one that stops Arnold from running against him in the next election. ---
**Author:** ![arfurvirus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@arfurvirus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arfurvirus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/33 "2017-02-02T20:49:03Z")
The Left chooses Islam, the " Religion of peace" , female mutilation, pedophilia, homosexual execution, slavery. The rest choose none or Christianity. That’s where we are and what has happened. works for me, trash the Johnson Amendment. ---
**Author:** ![xenophon41](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xenophon41/32/253_2.png) [@xenophon41](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xenophon41)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/34 "2017-02-02T20:49:54Z")
> [@Translucent\_Daydream](#): > > …if you read my last post phonetically it might make more sense I’m sorry guys Cool. I think I got everything translated properly except for “fleet of hammers below the sanctuary.” Still scratching my head over that one. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/35 "2017-02-02T20:55:15Z")
> [@arfurvirus](#): > > The Left chooses Islam, the " Religion of peace" , female mutilation, pedophilia, homosexual execution, slavery. These guys sound like assholes. Luckily, in the real world, liberals oppose the last four things in this list. ---
**Author:** ![arfurvirus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@arfurvirus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/arfurvirus)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/36 "2017-02-02T20:57:08Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > These guys sound like assholes. Luckily, in the real world, liberals oppose the last four things in this list. True Liberals do, but the Leftists that have had the reins sure don’t. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/37 "2017-02-02T20:59:44Z")
> [@arfurvirus](#): > > True Liberals do, but the Leftists that have had the reins sure don’t. Which “Leftists that have had the reins” support “female mutilation, pedophilia, homosexual execution, and slavery”? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/38 "2017-02-02T21:06:23Z")
> [@arfurvirus](#): > > The Left chooses Islam, the " Religion of peace" , female mutilation, pedophilia, homosexual execution, slavery. > > The rest choose none or Christianity. That’s where we are and what has happened. > > works for me, trash the Johnson Amendment. You are a piece of work. But why aren’t you on Breitbart commiserating with your ilk instead of clogging this place with unfounded propaganda? Your tin hat is waiting for you at the door. Don’t let it hit you in the ass on the way out. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/39 "2017-02-02T21:10:24Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > I think he’s referring to the separation of church and state, though I’m not really clear that it’s a winnable argument. The first amendment says that Congress can’t make a law that establishes a religion. There’s nothing in there saying a religion can’t establish Congress. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2017, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825/40 "2017-02-02T21:13:25Z")
I think this thread is about the Johnson Amendment and tax exemption status of churches, etc. I’m positive it’s not about vague caricatures and generalizations about what the left or the right do. Please cease the hijack. > [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > You are a piece of work. But why aren’t you on Breitbart commiserating with your ilk instead of clogging this place with unfounded propaganda? > > Your tin hat is waiting for you at the door. Don’t let it hit you in the ass on the way out. I also know this thread isn’t in the Pit where this type of post would be more suitable. Please refrain from personalizing your ire in this fashion. If you feel you must, the Pit is right around the corner. [/moderating] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-vows-to-dump-johnson-amendment-no-church-politicking/778825.md?page=3)