Russian Orthodox Head: ‘Baptism’ of Russia is Civilization’s Pillar

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill hailed members of the Church this past week for remaining firm in their belief in God in the face of “aggressive atheism” and “resurgent paganism.”

Suspected Islamists Shoot Five Christians to Death in Pakistan – Compass Direct

Death toll in Pakistani floods surges past 800 – AP

Megachurches – Houston Chronicle

As Some Young Muslims Turn to Radicalism, Concern Grows – New York Times

Hitchens Brothers’ Rift Starts With Religion – New York Times

Taliban Study WikiLeaks to Hunt Informants – New York Times

Voice on Phone Is Lifeline for Suicidal Veterans ["veterans account for about one in five of the more than 30,000 suicides committed in the United States each year"] – New York Times

Book challenges Bible myths – Tulsa World

NY Times slaps ID foes PZ Myers and other ScienceBlog authors – Uncommon Descent

Tadpole shrimp – unchanged since the Triassic? – Uncommon Descent

Obama’s minister in chief manages matters of faith both public and private – Washington Post

Wow! Teaching Catholicism in Catholicism class allowed / University promises to restore prof fired for explaining the subject of the class – WorldNetDaily

Target, Best Buy Criticized for Donation to Tom Emmer Supporter

The Human Rights Campaign is criticizing retailing companies Target and Best Buy for making a donation to a political group supporting conservative Minnesota House member and gubernatorial hopeful Tom Emmer.

Nature’s Microevolutionary Gems Part 2: Bird-Sized Evolutionary Change – Evolution News & Views

Commentary: Anne Rice Hasn’t Betrayed You

Anne Rice is, at best, our sister-in-Christ who is going through a dark night of the soul. She is, at the very least, someone who has encountered something of the light of Christ, is drawn to it, and is now “kicking against the goads.”

Clergymen Stand Against New Kenyan Constitution

A broad range of Christian leaders in Kenya issued a joint statement Friday on their country’s proposed constitution, calling on “all Kenyans” to reject it “in its entirety.”

World Vision: ‘Hunger Season’ Hit Niger Early

A Christian aid agency that has been working in Niger since 1995 says the current food shortage in the West African country is the worst they’ve seen since the 2005 food crisis.

‘Vampire’ Author Anne Rice ‘Quits’ Christianity

Interview with the Vampire author Anne Rice declared Wednesday that she “quit being Christian.”

Christian Aborts Robbery Attempt with Jesus Talk

A young robber went into a South Florida cell phone store hoping to come out with some cash until he was dissuaded by a talk about Jesus.