Tuesday’s Religion News Roundup

The World Trade Center cross should not be part of a national 9/11 memorial, say atheists who have filed suit to stop its display. The cross is two intersecting steel beams found in the towers’ wreckage, and is revered by some as a sign of God’s presence at the terror attack. Americans want their presidents […]

The World Trade Center cross should not be part of a national 9/11 memorial, say atheists who have filed suit to stop its display. The cross is two intersecting steel beams found in the towers’ wreckage, and is revered by some as a sign of God’s presence at the terror attack.

Americans want their presidents to be religious, but can’t be bothered to actually ascertain candidates’ religion, according to a new PRRI/RNS poll. Just four in 10 can correcty ID Mitt Romney as a Mormon, even fewer know that President Obama is Christian.

Three Muslims convicted of killing a Pakistani Christian who refused to convert to Islam have been sentenced to life in prison.


An underground Protestant leader has been sentenced to two years in a labor camp as China continues its crackdown on unapproved churches.

And an ailing Vietnamese Catholic priest, one of the country’s staunchest pro-democracy advocates, has been sent back to jail.

Norway’s police say Anders Behring Breivik probably acted alone in killing 76 people last Friday, despite his claims that two cells of collaborators, whom he calls his “Knights Templar,” were helping him to rescue Europe from Muslims.

Anti-Muslim conservatives in the U.S. are on the defensive after Breivik’s 1,500-page manifesto was found to contain numerous references to their writings.

Israel’s unofficial ban on recitals of Richard Wagner’s music – who was unabashed in his anti-Semitism – seems to be lifting. The Israel Chamber Orchestra plans to perform a composition by Wagner in Germany.

Americans are becoming more accepting of gay and lesbian marriage, according to a new survey by the centrist think tank Third Way. In the past 15 years, the study shows, public support for same-gender marriage has doubled.


Opponents to New York’s new gay marriage law went to court Monday to challenge the measure, the day after the first state-sanctioned, same-gender wedding ceremonies.

The Best Christian Workplaces Institute has released its list of the most wonderful places for Christians to work. Employers had to score high on pay and benefits and Christian witness, among other factors.

Kosher duck leg confit served with white bean cassoulet: high-end Kosher restaurants are springing up around the nation.

Talk-show host Glenn Beck likened the victims of the shooting at a Norwegian summer camp to “Hitler Youth.” Speaking on his talk show Monday, Beck said: “I mean who sends their kids to a political camp?”

It’s day two of jury selection in the trial of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs, who is accused of sexually assaulting two underage girls.

And finally, we leave you with Pastor Joe Nelms’ high-octane prayer, which certainly got the attention of some in the stands at NASCAR’s Nationwide race in Nashville. The Baptist preacher gave thanks for the cars, the teams, the tires and “my smoking hot wife, Lisa.” To be fair, he stole the line from a Will Ferrell movie.


–Lauren Markoe

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