Editing Knights of Columbus (section)

== Political activity ==
{{main|Political activity of the Knights of Columbus}}

While the Knights were politically active from an early date, in the years following the [[Second Vatican Council]], as the "Catholic anti-defamation character" of the order began to diminish as Catholics gained more acceptance, the leadership began to use its financial resources to directly influence the direction of the church.<ref name="financial" /> That led to the creation of a "variety of new programs reflecting the proliferation of the new social ministries of the church."{{sfn|Kauffman|1982}}<ref name="financial" />

At times, the leadership of the order has been both [[Liberalism|liberal]] and [[Conservatism|conservative]]. [[Martin H. Carmody]] and [[Luke E. Hart]] were both political conservatives, but [[John J. Phelan]] was a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] politician prior to becoming Supreme Knight,{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=62}} [[John E. Swift|John Swift]]'s "strong support for economic democracy and social-welfare legislation marks him as a fairly representative New Deal anti-communist,"{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=367}} and [[Francis P. Matthews]] was a civil rights official and member of [[Harry Truman]]'s cabinet. Anderson previously served in the [[Office of Public Liaison]] under [[Presidency of Ronald Reagan|Ronald Reagan]].<ref name="Nancy" />

The Knights of Columbus is classified as a [[501(c) organization#501(c)(8)|501(c)(8)]] fraternal [[benefit society]] by the IRS. Unlike the more common [[501(c)(3) organization|501(c)(3)]] nonprofits, 501(c)(8)s are allowed to engage in limited direct political activity without jeopardizing their tax exemptions.<ref name="IRS" /> However, Anderson has said "One of our most important traditions throughout our 125-year history is that we do not, as an organization, become involved in partisan politics."<ref name="issues" />

The Knights of Columbus supports political awareness and activity among its members and local councils. Public policy activity is limited to issue-specific campaigns, typically dealing with Catholic family and sanctity of life issues.<ref name="policy" /><ref name="jean" /> They state that
<blockquote>In addition to performing charitable works, the Knights of Columbus encourages its members to meet their responsibilities as Catholic citizens and to become active in the political life of their local communities, to vote and to speak out on the public issues of the day.{{nbsp}}... In the political realm, this means opening our public policy efforts and deliberations to the life of Christ and the teachings of the Church. In accord with our Bishops, the Knights of Columbus has consistently maintained positions that take these concerns into account. The order supports and promotes the [[Catholic social teaching|social doctrine of the Church]], including a robust vision of religious liberty that embraces religion's proper role in the private and public spheres.<ref name="policy" /></blockquote>

The order opposed the [[Anti-clericalism in Mexico|persecution of Catholics in Mexico]] during the [[Cristero War]],{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=302}} and [[anti-communism|opposed communism]].{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=364–365}}<ref name="Ceplair" /> During the 20th century, the order also established the Commission on Religious Prejudices and the Knights of Columbus Historical Commission, organizations which fought against [[racism]].{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=366–367}} It was also supportive of [[trade unionism]], and published the works "of the broad array of intellectuals", including [[George Ernest Schuster|George Schuster]], [[Samuel Flagg Bemis]], [[Allan Nevins]], and [[W.&nbsp;E.&nbsp;B. DuBois]].{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|pp=366–367}}

During the [[Cold War]], the order had a history of waging [[Criticism of socialism|anti-socialist]], [[Anti-communism|anti-communist]] and [[Anti-anarchism|anti-anarchist]] crusades.{{sfn|Kauffman|1982|p=366}} They lobbied for the addition of the words "under God" to the [[Pledge of Allegiance]], as a religious response to [[State atheism#Soviet Union|Soviet atheism]].<ref name="Bremer" /><ref name="Greenberg" /> The Knights have actively opposed the legalization of [[same-sex marriage]] and in terms of funding, they have also been a key contributor to local measures against same-sex marriage.<ref name="McElwee" /> The Knights have donated over {{Currency|1 million||passthrough=yes|linked=no}} to the [[Susan B. Anthony Foundation]] and other anti-[[abortion]] and anti-[[Birth control|contraception]] organizations.<ref name="financial" /><ref name="bankroll" />