Monday’s Religion News Roundup: Surveying Sandy. Americans believe in miracles and lie about church. Muslim and Hindu abstinence.

Why Americans lie to pollsters about going to church. President Obama endorses same-sex marriage in Washington and Maine. Catholic vote too close to call. The rainbow sign.

I thought it was supposed to be the fire next time?

In a preemptive strike, the Rev. James Martin tweeted that religious leaders who say that Sandy is divine punishment are idiots.

On the other hand, belief in miracles is up 22 percent, according to a new survey. 


So, we take the good but not the bad. Either way, Russell is starting on his ark

NPR explains why Americans lie to pollsters about how often we go to church. 

The executive director of the Faith and Freedom Coalition says the first GOP ticket in history without a Protestant will get a record turnout from evangelicals.

President Obama doubled down on gay marriage, endorsing measures on the ballot in Washington state and Maine.

Mark Gray of CARA declares the Catholic vote “too close to call.”

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Jeffrey Weiss digs into the theology behind Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdouck's comments on pregnancy and God's will. 

Mike Huckabee says Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin has “withstood the fire” over his own controversial remarks about rape. 

Joanna Brooks says a College Humor video provides confirming evidence that religion has played an understated role in the presidential campaign.

Peter Manseau debunks the idea that religious liberty is American's “first freedom.”

The Nation of Islam's Minister Louis Farrakhan told a Maryland college crowd that “I am the change I am looking for.” 


It's been a poignant hajj for Syrians, who've seen thousands killed by Bashar al-Assad's regime this year.

Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz called for an international blasphemy standard that criminalizes anti-religious speech.

A suicide bomber rammed an SUV loaded with explosives into a Catholic church holding Mass on Sunday in Nigeria, killing at least seven people and wounding more than 100 others.

More than 60 people have been killed as ethnic and religious violence in Myanmar intensifies.

Activists say religion is essential to combating female genital mutilation

A woman convicted of stealing more than $100,000 from Catholic nuns in California may receive forgiveness, but is still facing prison time and perhaps a long stay in a hot place.

Muslims and Hindus are more likely to abstain from premarital sex than Christians and Jews, according to a new study. 


Sarah Silverman thanked her dad for protecting her from a conservative rabbi who didn't like her potty-mouthed public service announcements. 

A program note: Most of our editorial staff is on the East Coast, and several of us are in Sandy's eye, so if there's no roundup tomorrow, that's probably why. We'll be watching for the rainbow sign.

The painting of Noah's ark is by the 19th century Quaker minister Edward Hicks and comes courtesy of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Take it away, Carters.

Yr hmbl aggrgtr,

Daniel Burke 

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