THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT CONVERSATION. BE THERE!
Interfaith Association of Central Ohio (IACO)
25th Annual Main Event Dinner
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Doors open at 4:30 pm, Program begins at 5:00 pm
First Community Church
3777 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43221
In 1954, Congress approved an amendment by Sen. Lyndon Johnson to prohibit 501(c)(3) organizations,
which includes organizations that are organized and operated exclusively for religious purposes, from
engaging in any political campaign activity. To the extent Congress has revisited the ban over the years, it
has in fact strengthened the ban. The most recent change came in 1987 when Congress amended the
language to clarify that the prohibition also applies to statements opposing candidates. (IRS Publication ‐
Charities, Churches and Politics)
On May 4th President Trump signed an Executive Order “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty”
directed at limiting or even abolishing the effect of the Johnson Amendment. As a result, the President
has started a conversation and renewed an effort to overturn the Johnson Amendment and to allow
charities and faith communities to engage in partisan politics without a threat to their non‐profit status.
This year at the Main Event, three distinguished panelists: Joseph L Mas (José Luis Mas), trial attorney
representing newly‐arrived immigrants and refugees; James R. Beattie, Jr., Associate Dean for Academic
Affairs/Professor of Law at Capital University and winner of 2002 Teacher of the Year Award from
Association of American Law Schools; and James M. Childs, Jr., Professor Emeritus of Theology and
Ethics at Trinity Lutheran Seminary and ordained pastor in Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, will
discuss the possibilities and limits of political action and advocacy by faith based community
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Registration Form
Name(s) ___________________________________________________________________ Phone number __________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________City _____________________________ State___________ Zip ____________
Email address ____________________________________________ Faith/Worldview _________________________________________________
Cost: $30 per person or $15 for high school/college student only
(includes vegetarian meal)
________ #attending x $30 + ________ #attending x $15 = $_______________
Make your check payable to IACO and mail with this completed
form to: IACO, 65 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, OH 43215.
Deadline for non‐refundable reservations: August 15, 2017.
For more information, please contact us:
Phone: 614‐849‐0290 or E‐mail: iaco@iaco.org
Political Action and Advocacy
in Faith Based Community:
Possibilities and limits in our US democracy
Puffin Foundation
West, Ltd.
Funding has been made possible by:
Interfaith Association of Central Ohio (IACO)
25th Annual Main Event Dinner
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Doors open at 4:30 pm, Program begins at 5:00 pm
First Community Church
3777 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43221
FYI: IN 2015 THE PUFFIN FOUNDATION, LTD. GAVE ITS CONCERNED AND CREATIVE CITIZENSHIP $100,000 AWARD to BARRY W. LYNN.
