As the presidential race heats up in Iowa, candidates like Michele Bachmann are starting to step up their public church attendance in hopes of winning a few votes in the pews.

Meanwhile, it looks like Texas governor and probably-almost-maybe presidential candidate Rick Perry is supposedly gearing up to finally announce his intention to run. In prep for his arrival, a CNN commentator predicts that his faith cred will propel him to the White House, while Rachel Maddow points out that some of Perry’s religious friends might raise a few eyebrows.

Meanwhile, the pro-life, pro-marriage and pro-family Family Research Council continues its bus tour across America, drumming up conservative support as it makes its way to its final destination: Saturday’s Iowa Straw Poll in Ames, Iowa.

Scholars in Jerusalem are still hard at work on their 53-year attempt to produce an authoritative edition of the Old Testament.

Florida is suddenly becoming a hotbed for religious controversy: Some residents are accusing the lawmakers of pushing religiously biased textbooks on students while others in Dixie County, Fla., are crying foul over federal judge’s order to remove a statue of the Ten Commandments currently resting outside a courthouse.

Pete Seda, the former leader of the now-defunct Islamic charity found guilty of smuggling $150,000 supposedly intended for Muslim fighters in Chechnya, has been denied a new trial.

Tensions are high as a Chinese government-appointed Lama plans a visit to Northwest China, with Tibetan monks loyal to the Dalai Lama reportedly fearing repression.

A Southern Baptist pastor is calling for a database that would list the names pastors accused of sexual harassment or abuse.

Oh, and Stephen Colbert thinks God could use a new ad campaign.

– – Jack Jenkins