Faith-based legacy

Politics: President Bush has reshaped the public role of religious belief | Russ Pulliam

J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Mark Twain once remarked that rumors of his death had been greatly exaggerated.

Similarly, rumors of the death of evangelical faith influence in politics have been exaggerated.

The influence may be scattered but is finding its way into Democratic presidential campaigns. Several signs point to an emerging consensus in favor of religious influence in government, in contrast to a past informal consensus that religious beliefs are private and irrelevant to public-policy questions.

Though he lost some battles with Congress, President George Bush has won a victory in the war over whether faith should have a seat at the table in the formation of public policy.

Some 35 states plus the District of Columbia have followed the president's lead in setting up faith-based offices that link churches and nonprofit groups with government social welfare programs. The top Democratic candidates for president are emphasizing their own faith in Christ, following Bush's example in emphasizing the value of faith in public life.