DALLAS (BP) – The federal government violated the First Amendment rights of First Baptist Church and its members with an investigation following complaints about its annual “Celebrate Freedom” patriotic service in 2020, Senior Pastor Robert Jeffress testified Wednesday (Dec. 10).
Jeffress was one of several to share similar stories before a convening of the president’s appointed Religious Liberty Council in downtown Dallas at the Pavilion Building.
The patriotic service featured then-Vice President Mike Pence, who was on a “Faith in America” Tour, as well as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson.
Jeffress told Baptist Press at the time it was not a campaign rally.
“I would just say I’ve never seen a campaign rally where there was a plan of salvation given, and a prayer of salvation offered for those who wanted to trust in Christ,” he said.
But others apparently did. A year-long inquiry by the IRS, under the Biden Administration, would cost the church hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees before clearing First Baptist.
Jeffress went on to call for a repeal of the Johnson Amendment due to its “arbitrary” and “unconstitutional” application toward conservative churches.
“Throughout the IRS examination our church was prepared and resolved to pursue this matter to its just conclusion, including defending our fundamental constitutional rights and religious liberties before the United States Supreme Court,” Jeffress said yesterday. “We believe that our steadfast resolve not to waver on this issue and vigorously defend the rights of all churches is what led the IRS to suddenly close the examination.
“Although our church could afford to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on legal fees defending ourselves, most churches could not do that. And furthermore, no church should have to do that.”
President Trump created the Religious Liberty Commission May 1 by executive order. Jeffress’ fellow Texan, Senior Pastor Jack Graham of Prestonwood Baptist Church, is a member of the advisory board.
Jeffress called the IRS investigation “unprecedented” and a “weaponization of the Johnson Amendment.” It originated with a complaint by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Jeffress charged that the IRS demonstrated “blatant unwillingness” to resolve the issue, choosing instead for a complete church examination that expanded the focus on personal statements Jeffress made in media appearances. He further called on Congress to repeal the Johnson Amendment.
Maj. Gen. Douglas Carver (retired), the North American Mission Board’s executive director of chaplaincy, also address the Dec. 10 gathering on the topic of chaplaincy and religious liberty in the military.
Religious Liberty Commission members listening in included Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO of the First Liberty Institute; Franklin Graham; evangelist and president of Samaritan’s Purse; Carrie Prejean Boller, former Miss California and conservative activist; and Dr. Phil McGraw, television personality and author.
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