Mother Jones has story on Christian magicians, who are determined not to let the devil have all the fun.

Excerpt: As the annual convention of the Fellowship of Christian Magicianskicks off on a hot July afternoon, the campus of Indiana WesleyanUniversity is awash in displays of irreverent reverence. Ventriloquistsconverse with Scripture-quoting puppets, unicyclists pedal through thehalls, and a man plays “Amazing Grace” on a turkey baster. In the gym,vendors sell mysteriously materializing Communion cups, paper thatdissolves in water (perfect for making sins “disappear”), andfire-spouting Bibles ($50 each, they open “with or without flames”).Visitors to the auditorium are greeted by a Noah’s ark and Jesus,life-size and complete with cross and crown of thorns, made fromballoons by a group of self-described “balloonatics.” Outside, preteenswearing gold crosses and short shorts practice high kicks: The five-dayevent coincides with a gathering of the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders.

Don’t miss the videos of the “Gospel illusionists” doing their magic tricks here.

Also, the NYTimes Ben Carey has a story on how magicians exploit the brain to create their illusions.

The trick? Distraction.