WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ralph Reed, founder and Chairman of Faith & Freedom Coalition issued the following statement on Judge J. Campbell Barker’s ruling rejecting a consent decree allowing political speech by churches and pastors.
“Judge J. Campbell Barker’s rejection of a consent decree negotiated between religious broadcasters and the Justice Department allowing limited political speech by churches and ministries represents an indefensible and unconstitutional infringement on the First Amendment rights of people of faith. Faith & Freedom Coalition supports an appeal by the plaintiffs and will not rest until the corrupt and unconstitutional Johnson Amendment is put to rest and people of faith have secured their full right to freedom of speech. Like a zombie that is already dead, the Johnson Amendment will stagger on until it meets its richly deserved end at the hands of a higher and wiser court.”
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Faith & Freedom Coalition is a national grassroots movement comprised of nearly three million members across the United States. Dedicated to mobilizing and training people of faith for effective civic action, the coalition advocates for Christian values in the public arena and seeks to influence public policy at all government levels.