Sometimes dumb sounds cute: Sixty percent of Americans can't name five of the Ten Commandments, and 50% of high school seniors think Sodom and Gomorrah were married. In a recent USA Today article, Stephen Prothero, chairman of the religion department at Boston University says Americans' deep ignorance of world religions- their own, their neighbors' or the combatants in Iraq, Darfur or Kashmir- is dangerous. His new book, Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know- and Doesn't, argues that everyone needs to grasp Bible basics, as well as the core beliefs, stories, symbols and heroes of other faiths. Scholars and theologians who agree with him say Americans' woeful level of religious illiteracy damages more than democracy. "If you want to be involved, you need to know what they're saying. We're doomed if we don't understand what motivates the beliefs and behaviors of the rest of the world. We can't outsource this to demagogues, pundits and preachers with a political agenda" says Prothero. His solution is to require middle-schoolers to take a course in world religions and high schoolers to take one on the Bible. Biblical knowledge also should be melded into history and literature courses where relevant. He wants all college undergrads to take at least one course in religious studies. And for time-pressed adults he suggests that they sample holy books and history texts. What do you think? Is it important to have the knowledge of Bible basics and core principles of other faiths? Should students be required to learn these subjects in school?

A new survey from The Barna Group explores the so-called "God gap" between Republicans and Democrats, examining 32 measures of religious commitment, belief and activity. The study shows that while Republicans continue to hold advantage in attracting born again Christian voters, Democrats are not as far behind on measures of Christian commitment as might be assumed. Republicans were distinct from Democrats on 18 of the 32 measures. However, less than half of those (just eight of the 32 factors) generated a difference of more than 10 percentage points, suggesting that in most areas of faith, the gap between the two parties is not large. Read the article here.

In partnership with the UN World Food Programme, Auburn University will be the catalyst mobilizing universities across the nation and around the globe to create a grassroots student campaign to conquer world hunger and malnutrition. The focus of the campaign will also give momentum to local hunger initiatives. The goal is to create a "War on Hunger" model that is suitable for replication by other universities across the nation and around the globe. Learn more about the program here.

Funny stuff from church leadership organization in England- check out the top 10 lessons on leadership here.

Six nights before the Academy Awards ceremony, best supporting actress favorite Jennifer Hudson wasn't in Los Angeles doing the party circuit; the "Dreamgirls" star was back in her hometown at her home church enjoying and singing songs of praise. "The purpose of this is to praise God because he did it; I didn't." Read the complete article here.