It is Columbus Day in the United States, with many arguing that he was motivated more by faith than financial gain.

If you really want an argument, well, you missed your chance: Yesterday was Leif Erikson Day, celebrated on Sunday (by someone), honoring the Norse explorer who some argue was the real discoverer of the American continent, some time around the year 1000.

It is also Thanksgiving in Canada, something we can all agree on, I hope.

The “Mormonism-as-cult” controversy continues to roil Republican waters, with Pastor Robert Jeffress of Dallas doubling down on his characterization of the faith of Mitt Romney (and Jon Huntsman).

Most everyone else in the conservative Christian world rejects the cult label for the LDS, even if they don’t accept Mormonism’s theological bona fides.

Libertarian Ron Paul won the straw poll at the Value Voters confab where Jeffress made his remarks on Friday (after introducing Rick Perry).

Michele Bachmann wants everyone to know she’s still in it, and she’s in New Hampshire, where they will have the first vote that actually means something.

Steve Jobs may be venerated like a saint but he was no Edison. But the iPhone4S is sold out in pre-order, despite disappointment among the faithful. Go figure. (Photo via Patheos.)

A demonstration by Christians in Cairo angry at attacks on a church sparked the worst violence since Hosni Mubarak was ousted. Latest tally is 25 dead and nearly 300 wounded.

The leader of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, speaks truth to power in Zimbabwe: he denounces attacks on the church there, and the “lawlessness” that is rampant under the regime of Robert Mugabe:

“The message we want to send from this Eucharist celebration is that we do not have to live like that, in terror, in bloodshed,” Williams said. Mugabe has not said whether he will meet Williams.

Pope Benedict XVI denounced the “inhuman” lawlessness of organized crime in southern Italy.

A second Catholic bishop, Robert Morlino of the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, has decided to restrict lay people from receiving wine as well as bread at Mass.

On the other side of town, so to speak, the Presbyterian Church (USA) ordained its first openly gay minister on Saturday in Madison, three months after lifting its long-standing ban on homosexual clergy.

Atheist crusader and cancer battler Christopher Hitchens reflects on mortality and his writing life:

“The influence of [poet Philip] Larkin is much greater than I thought. He’s perfect for people who are thinking about death. You’ve got that old-line Calvinist pessimism and modern, acid cynicism – a very good combo. He’s not liking what he sees, and not pretending to.”

Ex-Beatle Paul McCartney reportedly spent the night before his wedding on Sunday at Yom Kippur services. His new bride is Jewish, as was his first, the late Linda McCartney.

Finally, the male “midlife crisis” is apparently a myth. And it has no connection to the previous item.

— David Gibson