No joke, he was asked to leave. And he was sober. But a nun is going to the Oscars. Jesuits want bishops to tone down the "war on religion" chatter. China may invite religious freedom envoy. And Richard Dawkins needs to Google Darwin.

Jeremy Lin does it again, and Tim Tebow may need a new nickname. Tim Dolan also (hearts) NY, and will tell pope why. China snubs Washington's religious freedom envoy, Oliver Stone becomes a Muslim -- sorta. Hutaree militia was hunting the antichrist, not the Feds.

While challenges to President Obama's contraception rule could take the form of legal and legislative assaults, the White House and the Obama re-election campaign are comfortable with the revised rule, believing most Americans -- and particularly most women -- are on their side.

"If the president does not reverse the … attack on religious freedom, then the Congress, acting on behalf of the American people and the Constitution we are sworn to uphold and defend, must," House Speaker John Boehner said. "This attack by the federal government on religious freedom in our country must not stand and will not stand."

(RNS) Given that birth control use is almost universal – even among Catholics – many wonder why the Obama administration could wind up retreating on its pledge to mandate insurance coverage of contraception among religious institutions. David Gibson offers five reasons that may help explain the political dynamic the president is facing

TRENTON, N.J. (RNS) In the midst of a heated battle over gay rights, Gov. Chris Christie defended his recent remarks on civil rights, calling one his New Jersey critics "numbnuts." By Matt Friedman and Jenna Portnoy. 250.

(RNS) Muslim American groups are calling for New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly to resign after for allegedly covering up his role in "The Third Jihad," a documentary film that critics say demonizes Muslims and was shown to nearly 1,500 police officers and detectives. By Omar Sacirbey. 250.

(RNS) In the wake of President Obama's controversial decision last week to force religious groups pay for contraceptives, New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan is feeling personally betrayed.

By talking about his Mormonism, Mitt Romney would call attention to his Mormonism. Politically speaking, that's a huge risk. Many Americans, and Republicans in particular, tend to consider Mormonism a "cult" -- or "super spooky-wooky!" as Broadway's hit musical, The Book of Mormon, puts it.

WASHINGTON (RNS) Days after angering Catholics with a new rule that forces religious groups to offer contraceptive coverage, the White House on Wednesday tried to repair relations by honoring nine Catholic educators. By Lauren Markoe.

(RNS) So all that "God talk" from the GOP candidates as they try to show who is more devout? A new survey shows that it may be more likely to hurt their chances with voters as help them. By David Gibson. 400 words.