Loconte and other religious conservatives insist the change was intended to make clear that liberal evangelical groups -- such as Sojourners, which has worked with Democrats on social justice issues -- come equally close to confusing a biblically inspired mission with partisan politics. "The [problem] is, whether it's a group on the left or the right, they just become an echo chamber for one party or the other," Loconte says.

That explanation rings false, however. Ask average Americans which group they associate more with politics -- the Christian Coalition on the right or Sojourners on the left -- and their answer is likely to be: "What is Sojourners?" Clearly, there are more "Christianized versions of interest group politics," as the National Association of Evangelicals document described it, associated with the Republican Party than with the Democratic. And for the most part, that has worked to Bush's advantage, as groups such as the Traditional Values Coalition and Concerned Women for America have allied themselves with the GOP.

The National Council of Churches has published a list of "Christian Principles in an Election Year" that condemns war, poverty, environmental degradation and incivility in public and private life. But such progressive stands are expected of the mainline churches represented by the council. More representative of the struggle to balance politics and religion is the National Association of Evangelicals. The NAE has drafted a "call to civic responsibility" that affirms many Bush administration initiatives but implicitly questions others, from the invasion of Iraq to the White House's anti-environmental policies.

Because the document represents a consensus among liberals and conservatives, it could signal trouble ahead for the White House's strategy to get the votes of religious conservatives. While not referring to the Iraq invasion specifically, the draft says: "The peaceful settling of disputes is a gift of common grace. We urge governments to pursue thoroughly nonviolent paths to peace before resorting to military force. We believe that if governments are going to use military force, they must use it in the service of peace and not merely in their national interest."

The document also calls for helping the poor, protecting the environment and taking affirmative action to remedy the effects of racial discrimination -- progressive stances all. Significantly, it urges Christians to remember that their "primary allegiance is to Christ, his kingdom ... not to any nation," relevant in these days when small-town churches are flying U.S. flags alongside their "We Support Our Troops" signs.

Whether fissures in the evangelical movement will affect turnout for Bush by religious voters in November remains uncertain. But with the polls so close, the president is no doubt praying that Rove's strategy works -- and that Vice President Cheney keeps his potty mouth shut. And for insurance, Bush may want to lean on Ways and Means Chairman Thomas to pass that tax provision for churches. Prayers are nice, but a few endorsements from the pulpit would be better.

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