Societal Sheet

IRS Discovers the First Amendment—Stop the Presses

Selective focus shot of a male standing and speaking from the pulpit
Selective focus shot of a male standing and speaking from the pulpit
Written by Scott K. James

The IRS says maybe pastors can speak freely after all. Miracles still happen—but don’t pop the champagne until bureaucracy stops gatekeeping biblical truth.

Well well, the IRS unexpectedly grew a conscience—or at least borrowed one for a press release. According to an article from Twin Cities Pioneer Press, the bureaucratic overlords over at the Internal Revenue Service have decided to let pastors actually speak without fear of their tax exempt status being lit on fire. Apparently someone re-read that dusty old document called the First Amendment. Imagine that.

The Bullet Point Brief

  • The IRS is now hinting that pastors might be allowed gasp to engage in political speech without losing their church’s nonprofit status.
  • Religious leaders have long walked a legal tightrope—speak against evil too directly and suddenly you’re an IRS target.
  • Critics are pretending this kinda speech “blurs lines”—as if drag queen brunches at public schools didn’t already atomize them.
  • Pastors have been bullied into silence while our culture free-falls faster than CNN’s ratings.
  • Finally, someone remembered this country was literally founded so people could worship freely without Big Brother playing referee.

My Bottom Line

So let me get this straight: the same government that green-lights taxpayer-funded gender studies in Pakistan is finally realizing that maybe churches in America should be allowed to talk about right versus wrong? Bold move, IRS. It only took you what—250 years? And here I thought bureaucracies moved slower than cold molasses in January.

Here’s the hard truth: We are neck-deep in cultural chaos because too many pulpits went quiet. While our schools churn out more indoctrinated TikTok activists than free-thinkers and politicians sell snake oil dressed as equity, churches have been sitting in the cheap seats afraid to rock the boat. Newsflash: if your gospel doesn’t afflict the comfortable or confront evil, you’re not preaching Jesus—you’re hosting a TED Talk with worse coffee.

Pastors aren’t supposed to be motivational speakers with fog machines. They’re supposed to be watchmen on the wall. And if they can’t speak prophetically about what’s rotting society from within—be it abortion mills masquerading as clinics or governments erasing parental rights—they’ve forfeited their divine assignment. The First Amendment isn’t just decorative—it’s there so truth doesn’t have to wait for permission slips from Uncle Sam.

I’m glad somebody at the IRS cracked open a Civics 101 textbook, but don’t expect me to throw rose petals yet. Because until pastors across America find their God-given backbone and start preaching with boldness—IRS memo or not—we’ll keep watching our nation rot politely. Churches need holy courage, not mild compliance. God gave us voices; maybe it’s time we actually use them.

About the author

Scott K. James

A 4th generation Northern Colorado native, Scott K. James is a veteran broadcaster, professional communicator, and principled leader. Widely recognized for his thoughtful, common-sense approach to addressing issues that affect families, businesses, and communities, Scott, his wife, Julie, and son, Jack, call Johnstown, Colorado, home. A former mayor of Johnstown, James is a staunch defender of the Constitution and the rule of law, the free market, and the power of the individual. Scott has delighted in a lifetime of public service and continues that service as a Weld County Commissioner representing District 2.