Miss California Skeletons

Miss California may lose her state title because she told pageant officials there was only one photo of her in her underwear that showed up on the internet this week. But now more photos have popped up on a celebrity news site. That would violate her Miss USA contract because she's topless in the shots. Carrie Prejean stirred controversy by answered a question during the national pageant about same-sex marriage by declaring her opposition to it. The response may have cost her the crown.

Muted Prayer Day

The White House is planning no public events connected with today’s the National Day of Prayer. Obama will not hold any public events with religious leaders as was done during the Bush administration. Some two million people took part in 40,000 events marking the day last year. The Obama administration has asked a judge to dismiss a suit filed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation trying to stop the effort entirely as a violation of church and state.

History Teacher Broke Law

A Southern California judge has ruled a history teacher violated the First Amendment rights of a student by offering critical comments about Christians. James Corbett teaches at Capistrano Valley High School in Mission Viejo and referred to Creationism as “religious, superstitious nonsense”. A student sued in 2007 claiming Corbett repeatedly made disparaging remarks about Christianity. Here are more details.

Prayer Day Question

The White House still hasn’t said whether it will take part in the National Day of Prayer this Thursday. Some groups are trying to pull the reins of the event away from the conservative National Day of Prayer Task Force (headquartered at James Dobson’s Focus on the Family). Jews on First and The Interfaith Alliance is asking President Barack Obama to declare it a day for all Americans - even for nonbelievers.

Twittering in Church

TIME magazine looks at Twittering in Church in this article.

Pop Stars Sing Gospel

A new gospel compilation album features pairs pop artists with celebrated gospel choirs. Jon Bon Jovi backed by the Washington Youth Choir sings Keep the Faith and Al Green contributes People Get Ready with R&B singer Heather Headley. The Clark Sisters will duet with Robert Randolph on Higher Ground and 3 Doors Down teams with Soul Children of Chicago on Presence of the Lord. Oh Happy Day: An All-Star Music Celebration will be available exclusively at Wal-Mart and at online retail.

Kemp Dies

Jack Kemp has died. Diagnosed with cancer this year, the former vice presidential candidate ran with Bob Dole in 1996. Kemp became a Presbyterian in the 1950’s and said he become a born-again Christian though he's remembered more for championing conservative economic policy over conservative social policy.

Torture Survey

Here's the results of a survey asking if the use of torture against suspected terrorists is ever justified:

White evangelical Protestants – Yes 61%
Those who attend services at least once a week – Yes 54%
All Respondents – Yes 49%
Those who seldom or never go to services – Yes 42%
unaffiliated with any religious organization - Yes 40%
mainline" Protestants – Yes 31%

Source: Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life