Skip the latest ballot reviews and read Italo Calvino's brilliant election novella The Watcher.

"The Boston Globe sniffs at it, Marilyn Manson will read it, and people are buying a book about one verse of it in bulk."

"Churches in New Zealand, England, the United States, and Australia probed on beliefs, congregational life."

"As all of the Inklings' publishers await record interest, HarperCollins seeks to fill in the gaps beyond the wardrobe"

"While The Washington Post does an awkward front-page story on the Attorney General, its magazine runs a great story on Majority Whip Tom DeLay's faith. Plus: Timothy McVeigh, measuring evil, and more stories from other media."

Tolkien preview Rings Out at the Cannes Film Festival. Also: Critics respond to A Knight's Tale and The Trumpet of the Swan.

"Christianity.com secularizes, the Catholic church's gay scene, and other articles around the Internet."

"Trinity Western can teach teachers and believe homosexuality is a sin, Richard Mouw thinks polygamy should be legalized, and other stories from media sources around the Internet."

C.S. Lewis's intellect was stimulated at one of the most fascinating extracurricular clubs ever.

John Gregory Dunne suggests imperialistic Americans got what they deserved at Pearl Harbor

"Latinos increasingly leaving Catholicism, and Ralph Reed officially becomes a Republican leader."

"Suing over the golden rule, and Jabez's territory continues to expand."

"Peru missionary pilot leaves hospital, and Christian metal band Stryper is back in black (and yellow)."

But many Orthodox Christians and Muslims are suspicious and hostile to visit.

"The Mummy Returns full of sound and fury and not much else. Also, vampires lurk in The Forsaken, and that legendary monster Infidelity rears its ugly head in Faithless."

"Praying to get to the World Cup, and other stories from mainstream media sources around the globe."

"Suing over the golden rule, and Jabez's territory continues to expand."

"A forum on free-will theism, a new paradigm for understanding God."

"Forgiving McVeigh, England's murdered vicar, and other stories from media around the world."

You probably missed the point of The Divine Comedy in high school.

"The Ascension has been forgotten in many Protestant churches, jettisoning an essential part of the Christian story."

We tend to focus on the way Jesus came into the world. It will pay us not to overlook the way he left.

Thousands flee Angolan rebels on foot

"He is in the presence of Jesus, where he longed to be, says evangelist."

"In Africa, survival depends on open waterways. Missionary explorer David Livingstone believed that salvation did, too"

Two workers seriously injured

Muslim rebels in Philippines threaten to kill Martin and Gracia Burnham and 18 others if military intervenes

"Former Zambian leader will be excommunicated from Catholic Church, American already has been."

"Meanwhile, Shrek pleases both audiences and critics. But perhaps the most important movie event of the month is slipping by almost unnoticed."

But Elkhart mayor says monument will stay in front of City Hall

Church that left Methodist denomination has to surrender building.

How God caught up with the man who led Japan's surprise attack.

"Evangelicals, Catholics, and others worry about president's push for third-term debate to continue."

Death threats and attacks common in case against military officers and priest.

What initially seemed to be auto theft gone wrong now has overtones of politics and persecution.

"Ci Jones says disciplinary case was double jeopardy, and that head of Episcopal Church improperly influenced case"

He is in the presence of Jesus, where he longed to be, says evangelist.

Ben Glover (Word)

The singer's response to an Olympics ministry opportunity might settle the matter once for all.

Slow Train Coming reveals that Bob Dylan's quest for answers has been satisfied

Christianity Today reviews Dylan's work before the singer's conversion to Christianity.