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It’s not everyday that the president quotes from the Book of Exodus (23:9, in case you’re wondering). So it’s worth paying attention.

In explaining why he plans to protect 4.3 million undocumented immigrants from deportation, President Obama said:

“Scripture tells us, we shall not oppress a stranger, for we know the heart of a stranger. We were strangers once, too.”

Evangelicals have gotten on board the immigration reform bandwagon and they were split on this one, as our own Adelle M. Banks wrote. While the nation’s Hispanic evangelical leaders stood with president, the Russell Moores of the world said executive action was the wrong way to go. From the Evangelical Immigration Table? Not a peep.

Who knew? Immigration isn’t driving the Hispanic population growth. Most of the recent immigrants to the U.S. are Asian.

Immigration on the brain

Last night’s speech may be one reason our totally unscientific poll of where Pope Francis should visit on his upcoming U.S. trip had most of our readers wishing he’d go to the Texas/Mexico border. If you haven’t voted yet, here’s your chance. Then click on the “view results” link.

A human right

In other Francis news, the pope told a U.N. conference in Rome that food is a human right.

Worth watching: Cardinal Sean O’Malley appeared on 60 Minutes last weekend and said the church needs to discipline bishops. And get this: The Vatican investigation of the nuns is a “disaster.”

Still on nuns

Google doodle honored Sister Corita Kent (1918-1986), whose vibrant silkscreen pop art is all about social justice and peace. Yesterday would have been her 96th birthday. I would love one of her posters, btw.

And more in the Catholic-nuns-are-so-cool vein: Lisa Maurer, known as Sister Lisa, is a Benedictine Order nun who is also the football coach at St. Scholastica, a Division III college on a bluff overlooking Lake Superior.

Strange bedfellows

Two of New York’s most powerful figures, Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Mayor Bill de Blasio have forged an unexpected friendship. Lately, the two men are in cahoots to bring Pope Francis to New York City in September.

Not-so-strange bedfellows

Two atheists got together recently to write the 10 commandments or “non-commandments” as they call them, for atheists. No. 1 on their list: “The world is real, and our desire to understand the world is the basis for belief.”

The grim connection between religion and climate change

Just 5 percent of Americans thought climate change was the most important issue in the U.S. today. And religion was a major dividing point on how much — or how little — they think it’s a matter of concern, according to a depressing new poll.

There’s gambling going on here

Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire Vegas tycoon is running into some resistance in his desire to ban Internet gambling. Republicans, to whom he has donated millions, are balking.

Dump the Duggars?

A change.org petition is urging TLC to cancel “19 Kids and Counting” the show about the conservative Christian Duggar family. So far, more than 100,000 people have signed it. The reason, as stated by the petition’s creator: Recent anti-gay statements made by members of the family.

Good reads

A pastor in Minneapolis writes about what he learned when he gave up his car to ride his bike (or take the bus).

A Catholic priest from Ohio writes about the similarities between surfing and Christianity.

Proud of the Mormon Church for publishing the uncomfortable historical facts about Joseph Smith’s polygamous past, Jana Riess is less than thrilled with liberals’ cavalier comments on the subject.

And finally: If you’re on your way to the big religion-scholar shindig, aka the AAR, opening today in San Diego, here’s a word of wisdom:

To scholars of religion in transit to #sblaar14, remember: if your seatmate asks what you do for a living, you're an accountant.

— Michael Peppard (@MichaelPeppard) November 21, 2014

We understand those quizzical stares when we tell people what we do. You probably do, too. Sign up for the Roundup and let’s share in the brotherhood of the misunderstood: