Norimitsu Onishi reports on the rising popularity, and the symbolism, of the jilbab in Indonesia.

Presenting the tactics employed by other religious groups, Seth Stevenson critiques three new Scientology advertisements.

The Vatican Information Service reports that Pope Benedict XVI has released a new Encyclical, "Caritas in veritate" (Charity in Truth), which addresses "integral human development in charity and truth." At the Georgetown/On Faith blog, Thomas J. Reese, S.J. responds.

At Slate, Clint Rainey asks, "How will Prosperity Gospel ride out the hard economic times?"

Slate's Chris Wilson discusses the views  of Francis Collins, President Obama's nominee for director of the National Institutes of Health and an evangelical Christian.

Jospeh Laycock dissects the meaning behind the Open Carry Celebration at New Bethel Church in Louisville, Kentucky, in which visitors were invited to bring their firearms to church.

In addressing the problems of an overcrowded, overheated planet, religious leaders---including the Pope---have begun to broaden their message. The Economist reports.

In Newsweek, Gary Dorrien makes the argument for a new Social Gospel in America.

At Religion Dispatches, Pauline Hope Cheong writes about the online media rituals surrounding the mourning of Michael Jackson.