November 16, 2008 12:54 AM UTC

Brief History of 501(3)(c)

• 2 Comments
• by: droll

I was talking to an old friend today about Russia, which eventually led us to the 1950’s.  Seemed like a good time to bring up the 501(3)(c) thing, so I asked.

It’s hard to gather information on why it was needed.  The Senate was debating the revised Tax Code (huge, messy and filled with filibusters), Sen. Johnson moved the amendment and it was adopted.  No debate on the floor, or in a committee.  No mention in the Times.  I think I’ve mention that before.

My friend (who’s old enough to remember the period) said that it had to do with the Communist threat.  Seems a little odd when you consider Johnson’s term as president, but dealing purely with the years before, it makes sense.

The 50’s gave rise to the Evangelical movement (only half the country regularly went to church in the ’40’s, by the 70’s it was three quarters), Billy Graham was getting big.  One of his messages was that the way to combat communism was to be Born Again.  Ministers who suggested that Christianity and communism could peacefully exist were immediately labeled Communists.  Obviously this isn’t a good way to govern (witch hunts leading to another atom bomb drop), so you wouldn’t want churches running around labeling politicians Communists instead of quietly prudent.  There has to be a gray area.  Anyway, my friend said that he remembers it as being a really ugly time to open your mouth in public.  So that’s the deal.  I wouldn’t have made it a diary, but it’s too much for a comment and it’s not like there’s a lot going on.

Oh, before everyone starts yelling about how nuts some were in DC about Communism, keep in mind that this amendment was adopted by the same body that censured McCarthy.  Again, odd for Johnson to vote in favor when you consider his attitude during the Vietnam War …

…President Lyndon Johnson railed against “the bunch of commies” running The New York Times and complained about the newspaper’s criticism of the war…

It’s also worth pointing out that this is the time period that is responsible for blending Christianity and patriotism.  Damn Commies.