Beto O’Rourke Just Wants Churches To Comply With The Law — The Issue Is That He Has This Power

During the CNN LGBT town hall yesterday, Former Representative and Presidential Candidate Beto O’Rourke made quite the controversial statement. “There can be no reward, no benefit, no tax break for anyone … that denies the full human rights and the full civil rights of every single one of us,” the candidate said. Basically, what he is referring to is taking tax exempt status away from churches and religious organizations that take stances against LGBT rights.

Ben Shapiro called for people to get there guns and start a revolution if such a thing were to happen — which in no way bothers me. I understand the disagreement with this policy, in fact, I disagree with this policy, however, I am bothered by people lying about it.

For instance, Matt Walsh called this an “illegal and bigoted proposal,” which is simply not true. In 1954, Congress passed the Johnson Amendment which makes it so organizations that are tax-exempted can not express political views, specifically in regards to supporting or opposing political candidates running for office. I would think these religious organizations should know that considering many of them have tried to repeal it a number of times (and yet didn’t bother when they had the power to under George W. Bush).

Legal history is also on Beto’s side. In 1981 the Supreme Court determined in Bob Jones University v. United States that tax-exempt status can be taken away from organizations that discriminate. This was an 8–1 decision supported by both parties, by the way. So it wasn’t just crazy America hating liberals on the court largely appointed by Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

However, I should note this does not mean I agree with this decision. As an atheist myself, I don’t want to have a straight or gay marriage within fifty feet of any church. Let alone one that would ban the marriage of many of my closest friends the first chance they get.

This creates a similar issue the Civil Rights Act created in regards to finding racism in business. Now, racist business owners are forced by law to hide it, something no one in the Civil Rights movement asked for.

The issue here is people being idealistic regarding how much government cares about them. People cannot seem to except that the government does not care about them. Allow me to repeat that, the government does not, in any way, care about you or your religion.

All Beto is doing is making this clear, the question should be if he’s allowed to. Sadly, the law says he is.

Now allow me to be clear, I do not believe that President O’Rourke would ever do that, partly because I do not believe he will ever be President. However, I also consider this nothing more than some blue meat for his progressive base as Beto tries to find a place against Sanders, Warren, and Yang.

However, the fact that he not only could want to do this but has the legal power to should be a shock to every American.