This is Religious Freedom Day

Each year, the President declares January 16th to be Religious Freedom Day and calls upon Americans to "observe this day through appropriate events and activities in homes, schools, and places of worship." The day is the anniversary of the passage, in 1786, of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom.The goal is the promotion and protection of students' religious expression rights by informing educators, parents, and students about these liberties.

Inaugural Benediction

Luis León will give the closing prayer at the presidential inauguration. He is pastor of Saint John’s Church, an Episcopal parish located near the White House. It is so close, in fact, a pew has been reserved for the president to visit any service since 1815. In 2005 Luis León gave the invocation for the President George W. Bush’s second inauguration. Just a few days ago, Atlanta Evangelical pastor Louie Giglio withdrew from consideration after a sermon he gave more than a decade ago about gays came to light.

Why Washington's National Cathedral will start hosting same sex weddings

CNN reports on a change at the Washington, DC cathedral which has hosted many national events.