This makes sense given the demographic and political differences in Catholic pews. But it's a pragmatic reversal from the "fortnight for freedom" stuff. In the 1980s, the Church encouraged a "both sides doctrine" for candidate visits.

My thoughts on this topic...

bsky.app/profile/gary...

8.) Random thoughts #2

-cities are experimenting with ways for religious non-profits to contribute to public budgets. Like parcel fees or use fees. Maybe more of this to come if religious orgs are seen as partisan and partial?

7.) Random thoughts #1

-the IRS "began" non-enforcement of the Johnson Amendment decades ago...enabling the 1980s rise of wealthy preachers and partisan mobilization. An example of how the "free market of religion" produces bad religion? social conflict?

6.) What shenanigans to come?

-SC jurists will find a way to justify this as "treat religion like everyone else"....while also allowing religious orgs to avoid taxes, not follow employment law, etc.

-big religious organizations will become a hole for dark money political contributions.

5.) A few more (worrisome) reasons why this WILL change a lot:
-partisanship reduces trust in organized religion as a social good. Rough seas ahead.
-undergirds the implicit idea of non-profit organizations as benefitting the public, writ large. The downfall of non-profits ahead?

4.) A few reasons why this WILL change a lot:
-gives a minority of congregations--which are the anchor of Christian Nationalism--license for more partisanship.
-gives a minority of liberal congregations a legal way to defend their partisanship.

3.) A few more (problematic) reasons this will NOT change much:
-partisan politics were already translated into "moral issues" in religious orgs
-partisan religious congregations were already doing political speech...just not overtly from the pulpit. Side conversations. Not mention candidates. Etc.

2.) A few reasons for why this IRS rule will NOT change much:
-most clergy and most Americans don't want partisan speech from religious organizations.
-the IRS wasn't enforced the rules anyhow, so no "handcuffs are off" effect coming

1.) IRS now creates a distinction between "internal" and "external" speech in religious orgs. This is nonsensical. The Tocqueville school sees the social power of religious orgs based in the internal becoming external. Only sectarian orgs separate the two. There are few of them.

In the early days of examining superintendent opinions on religion in schools, a perpetual headline grabber. Check it out....

Big support for studying religion and supporting student religious practice.

Big skepticism of teacher-led religious activity

First paper from our American Local Leaders Survey, a representative survey of county, municipal, and school district officials done with @mayrl.bsky.social @jonathancoley.bsky.social rebecca sager and eric plutzer.

Yes, definitely. It's an early attempt at a purported "third way" for Catholicism. But, pedagogically at least, students were surprised at the rhetoric.

First encyclical to (begrudgingly) deal with all things modern. Labor unions, fair wages, social welfare, etc.

I used to clip quotes from this and ask students who wrote it. Most guessed Karl Marx.

I'm neither Bishop nor Cardinal but, in case anyone was wondering, I also disapproved.

Really angered to hear this. I'm waiting to hear too....

Assuming there is a religion angle here, too. See Jack Jeckins' piece about her past leading Catholic Charities.

As this goes through court, will her religious liberty claim be made....and hear?