Bush heads to Philadelphia to promote his federal faith-based initiative, and American Atheists President Ellen Johnson charges that 'Duhbya' is "a divider, not a uniter."

arrying out a promise he made months ago, President George W. Bush spent Independence Day in Philadelphia, PA where he used most of his visit to appear at events sponsored by a local Baptist Church, and urged people to rally behind his call for public funding of religion-based social programs.

   Bush schmoozed with Philadelphia Mayor John Street, a Democrat, who has become one of the biggest boosters of the federal faith-based initiative. The two attended a "block party" sponsored by the Greater Exodus Baptist Church, across the street from a Salvation Army shelter in a predominantly black, inner-city neighborhood. Later, he headed over to Independence Hall, where he extolled the authority of his faith-based initiative.

   "From the ideals in the Declaration come the laws in the Constitution, including the free exercise of religion," gushed Bush. "Religious liberty is more than the right to believe in God's love; it is the right to be an instrument of God's love."

   The Washington Times noted that the president's remarks were cheered on by Mayor Street, "who scolded his fellow Democrats in Congress for balking at passing Mr. Bush's faith-based initiative." Street bellowed, "There are those in our country who would like to sit and debate the constitutional appropriateness of some of the programs that have been advanced by the president. We who are on the ground floor of delivering services to the people of our cities understand that when people need help, what they don't want it a constitutional debate."

   Bush pointed to the Liberty Bell as a symbol of his White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, noting that it "was originally cast to mark the 50th anniversary of William Penn's Charter of Privileges, the first guarantee of religious freedom in this commonwealth."

   He then cited historical figures and quotes from the Old Testament, declaring "Those who hold positions of power should not be wary or hostile toward faith-based charities or other community groups which perform important and good works." Bush paraphrased a quote attributed to the Old Testament prophet Amos, and said that many of the nation's reformers "have been motivated by a scriptural vision, in which justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

   The Philadelphia Inquirer noted, "Such language may be more expected from a preacher than a politician."

   "We welcome religion in our common life because it leads millions of Americans to serve their neighbor, and because it leads countless others to speak for justice, from African American churches to the Catholic bishops," Bush continued.

   Flanking Bush were Sen. Arlen Spector and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, who praised the president "for courageously leading our national dialogue" on such issues as "Is freedom of religion sometimes confused with freedom from religion?"

   The July 4 appearance is just the latest stop in a barnstorming tour Bush is making in hopes of revitalizing his flagging federal faith-based initiative. Last week, the House Judiciary Committee held a mark-up on HR 7, the "Community Solutions Act," which would be the initial step in funding the president White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, and would greatly expand the so-called "charitable choice" provision of the 1996 welfare reform act. That measure permits churches and other houses of worship to compete for federal grants in order to operate faith-based social programs.

   Bush's Philadelphia visit was a lost opportunity, though, said American Atheists President Ellen Johnson.

   "Bush should have used July 4 as a time to talk about the Bill of Rights and the whole American secular experience in uniting the country, but instead he turned a national holiday into 'pulpit time,' " charged Johnson. "He chose to visit a Baptist event, and distort our nation's history by ignoring the

whole principle behind the separation of church and state."

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