ANOTHER WIND SHIFT

So the president favors religious activities in school. If Newt Gingrich is the most provocative figure in today's public life, then surely President Bill Clinton is its most unerring political weathervane. Which way are today's political winds blowing? Consider the president's latest position on school prayer. He is for voluntary expressions of prayer and against the organized, compulsory variety. So are most Americans.

Clinton, his eyes squarely on next year's elections, last week said, "Americans should never have to hide their faith." This non-controversial statement was followed by another when the president complained that some Americans have been denied their right to express religious beliefs "and that has to stop."

For years, the Democratic Party has needed to face down such outfits as People for the American Way and the American Civil Liberties Union and just have it out with them in their effort to drive all religious expression from the public square. No issue cluster has done more to marginalize liberals and Democrats than this one, as ordinary Americans become increasingly uneasy about a public life largely denuded of the vibrant religious expressions characteristic of healthy societies. If Bill Clinton is prepared so to take on the liberal and secularist furies within his party, then more power to him.

The president is directing his Department of Education to issue guidelines to the nation's 15,000 school districts. The guidelines, like Clinton's comments, are really nothing more than a restatement of current law on school prayer. Thus Clinton will remind schools that the Constitution already allows students to read their Bibles or other scriptures, say grace before meals and take part in religious clubs in high schools.

But again, Clinton's comments, which may be seen as part of his continuing effort to re-position himself in a more moderate mode for next year's elections, are most instructive as indications of the direction of today's cultural and political winds. That he would so reposition himself is the clearest indication yet that broad national currents, running deep and true, are moving our country in a healthier direction.