Senator McCain, in refuting Bachmann's witch hunt:  “This is about who we are as a nation and who we still aspire to be."

(RNS) The scandal-plagued Vatican Bank still has a long way to go in order to comply with international standards for independent oversight and financial transparency, according to a status report from European officials released Wednesday (July 18). By David Gibson.

(RNS) Wheaton College, Billy Graham's alma mater and a leading Christian university, has joined a lawsuit against the Obama administration's birth control health insurance mandate. By David Gibson.

(RNS) The Islamic month of Ramadan, when Muslims are required to fast during daylight hours, coincides this year with the Summer Olympics in London, where more than 3,000 Muslims athletes are expected to compete. By Omar Sacirbey.

(RNS) Amid a battle with President Obama over a new contraception mandate, the nation's Roman Catholic bishops are promoting natural family planning -- but will their flock take heed? By Lauren Markoe.

WASHINGTON (RNS) Rep. Michele Bachmann's claims that the Muslim Brotherhood has infiltrated the U.S. government are drawing fierce criticism. By Chris Lisee

Rick Warren wants to bring the candidates to his church, Romney gets some Veep advice from Tony Perkins (Allen West, anyone?) and desecrations abound.

Rick Warren wants to bring the candidates to his church, Romney gets some Veep advice from Tony Perkins (Allen West, anyone?) and desecrations abound.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (RNS) The Pennsylvania atheist who wanted to desecrate the Quran using a whip to protest a “Year of Religious Diversity” resolution by state lawmakers can’t – because whips aren't allowed in the Capitol. By Nick Malawskey.

For those of you interested in keeping up with the saga of the sacking of Metropolitan Jonah by the Synod of Orthodox Church in America, the latest chapter is a letter from the synod explaining the reasons for its action. While there are general claims of maladministration, the central charge is that Jonah covered up a rape accusation against a priest he brought into the church.

(RNS) The conservative Family Research Council has named a former top Delta Force commando and outspoken culture warrior, retired Army Lt. Gen. William G. "Jerry" Boykin, to run its day-to-day operations. By David Gibson.

(RNS) The St. Paul Saints, a Minnesota minor league baseball team, will become the "Mr. Paul Aints" in a game sponsored by a local atheist group. By Kimberly Winston.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) Could a Virgin Mary statue under a pine tree in the middle of a cow pasture in rural Alabama one day become an officially recognized international pilgrimage site of the Roman Catholic Church? By Greg Garrison.

As part of this month's spiritual focus on Sabbath-keeping, I've been thinking about what makes for "good shabbos." I get concerned when I hear the Sabbath presented only in negative terms -- i.e., what not to do. I prefer to think about the Sabbath in positive terms: these are the things that I get to do on Sunday. And some of them are things that I only get to do on Sunday (nap), which makes them special (nap). What about you?

With Pioneer Day coming up next week, I’ve been thinking about how Mormons tell pioneer stories—and all that we leave out.