Christian churches in Canada and Europe are empty because politics became embroiled in religion. Americans will see the same happen here.

IRS takes a step toward giving Christian pastors a bully pulpit. 
An article and opinion letter published in the Boston Globe:

Pastors who endorse political candidates shouldn’t lose tax-exempt status, IRS (Internal Revenue Service) says in filing. The Christian media group and others filed suit against the IRS last August, stating that the amendment violates their First Amendment rights to the freedom of speech and free exercise of religion, among other legal protections.

Maine Writer comment:  This decision, if allowed to stand will continue to divide an already bulkanized nation. Canadians long ago gave up on organized religion, even though every community has either a church, basicilica or a Cathedral, they are largely empty.  Canadians go to church for weddings, baptisms and funerals.  In Europe, the churches are empty tourist attractions. There is a reason for this abandonment of formal religion....because....the government was controlling the pulpit through the clergy.  There is no freedom of speech when the pastors are told what to preach.  

The recent IRS decision to allow religious organizations to endorse political candidates without losing their tax-exempt status contradicts a change to the tax code passed in 1954 known as the Johnson Amendment (“IRS: Pastors who endorse candidates shouldn’t lose tax-exempt status,” Business, July 9). The amendment, named after Lyndon Johnson, then a senator, prohibits tax-exempt entities from participating in political campaigns.

This decision emerged as a consent agreement to settle a lawsuit by the National Religious Broadcasters Association and two Texas churches, which claimed the amendment infringed on their First Amendment rights. However, this policy shift disregards federal law, opens the door for misuse of tax-exempt status for partisan purposes, and creates another pathway for secret spending in our elections.

By interpreting political discussions during worship as private conversations, the IRS creates a loophole that will lead to organizations seeking tax breaks in exchange for political support and introduce hidden sources of money into elections. Any decision to invalidate the Johnson Amendment should be made through debate in Congress, not through back-channel agreements.

The IRS must adhere to the US tax code as established by Congress and ensure any modifications arise from transparent, democratic processes. We need less dark money in politics, not more.

From Cushing Anderson in Boston