The rule was introduced by former President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1954 when he was serving as the U.S. Senate majority leader. It banned all tax-exempt organizations like churches and charities from “directly or indirectly” participating in politics, specifically in endorsement or opposition of candidates.

The IRS made headlines this week with a quiet but significant policy shift: Churches can now formally endorse political candidates without risking their tax-exempt status. At first glance, this looks like a monumental change in the balance between religion and politics.

In court filings Monday, the IRS has largely backed down on a decades-old rule that barred churches from engaging in political activity.