Jim Coppoc, Ripley United Church of Christ.

I write this column having just received the news that the IRS has asked a judge to create an exception to the Johnson Amendment, which currently prevents churches from campaigning for or against political candidates or parties. Opponents of this motion point out that it will lead to a cascade of dark money being funneled tax-free to the candidates and campaigns churches prefer. Those in favor point out that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees religious freedom, which ought to mean that pastors can say almost anything from the pulpit without fear of repercussion.

I am a big believer in the freedoms offered by the First Amendment. I absolutely believe that churches in America have the right to endorse or oppose whoever they like. I just don’t think they should.

Every time Jesus Christ was asked to engage in partisan politics, he either “flipped the script” toward Christian love, or avoided the question altogether. What is the greatest commandment? Love God, love your neighbor. What do you think of the tax code? Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. Why don’t you fight more against the government? My kingdom is not of this world.

I’m paraphrasing, but you get the point. And there are many more examples where these came from. In fact, the people once tried to force Jesus to become king, and he not only refused, but “withdrew again to a mountain by himself” to avoid politics altogether.

As a pastor, the First Amendment protects my right to give any endorsement I like. But my faith tells me to endorse only God. If I am to call myself “Christ-ian,” or a follower of Christ, I am obligated to learn from Christ’s example. The most partisan thing you will ever hear coming from my pulpit is my opinion on any given Cy-Hawk game.

As we are so fond of saying at Ripley United Church of Christ, “no matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” This applies to which side of the political aisle you sit on just as much as it does anything else.

Jim Coppoc serves Ripley United Church of Christ at 400 S. Main Street in Traer. After a long career in both academia and human services, he has settled into a comfortable existence as a writer, part-time “Bridge Pastor,” and full-time musician in the memory care unit at the Iowa Veterans Home. You can find Jim online at www.facebook.com/jim.at.ripley.