Today is Yom Kippur. The Palestinian prez will offer Israel an olive branch. Is Jerry Boykin the new Joe McCarthy? The anti-Islam subway ad sparks fights. Do replacement refs in the NFL violate Natural Law?

WILMINGTON, N.C. (RNS) Law enforcement is teaming up with faith groups to combat sex trafficking around the country, with some calling it the newest ``Christian abolitionist movement.'' By Amanda Greene. 850.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Catholic leaders in Muslim countries are calling for a U.N. resolution against blasphemy -- a potential problem for the Vatican as it tries to combat religious desecration while stopping short of endorsing laws to outlaw it. By Alessandro Speciale.

(RNS) President Obama's forceful speech at the United Nations on Tuesday contained the outlines of what is emerging as his administration's religious doctrine. By Lauren Markoe.

(RNS) Religious leaders are rallying against controversial ads placed in 10 New York City subway stations that insinuate that Muslims are savages. By Jeanie Groh.

(RNS) Christians have their crosses and crucifixes, Jews their Stars of David and Buddhists their lotuses. Atheists ask, why shouldn't they and other nonbelievers have their own symbols as well? By Kimberly Winston.

(RNS) Nothing will get better in our troubled and divided nation until we take to heart three lessons about what it means to be a decent person. First, give back to God. Second, help the unfortunate. Third, tell the truth. By Tom Ehrich.

Anti-Muslim ads hit the NYC subways. Lady Gaga criticizes the pope's gay marriage stance. And Donald Trump sticks his foot in his mouth at Liberty U.

(RNS) Members of the Syrian opposition generally want a democratic government that protects the rights of minorities, though many also want a constitution based on Islam, according to a recent survey. By Oren Dorell.

(RNS) Texas cheerleaders can continue to use banners with Bible verses after a court granted a temporary restraining order against their school district. By Adelle M. Banks.

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) A Mormon blogger who has written critical web essays about Mormon history, temple worship and contemporary issues -- including about GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney -- is facing church discipline for “apostasy.” By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

(RNS) Michael Butterworth of Bowling Green State University talks about how sports media coverage of evangelical Christian and New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow seldom treads beyond a “nice guy” image to delve into his faith. By Adelle M. Banks.

CLEVELAND (RNS) A federal judge has given defense attorneys until Thursday (Sept. 27) to convince him that nine Amish defendants convicted of hate crimes should not be imprisoned until their sentencing Jan. 24. By James McCarty.

Violent protests continue as world leaders prepare to meet a the UN. Inside Ralph Reed's operation. No taxes, no sacraments, German bishops say.

NEW ORLEANS (RNS) A federal judge has temporarily blocked enforcement of a city law that was recently used to arrest Christian evangelists who were preaching on Bourbon Street during Southern Decadence, the annual celebration of gay culture in the French Quarter. By Bruce Nolan.