Fuller seminarian Gathering In Light answers questions on that great peace community, the Quakers. Speaking about sectarian practice, JSpot points out that Americans need the Shabbat. Why? Because, "Americans stockpiled 421 million days of unused vacation time back in 2005."

Xpatriated Texan blogs on Rummy's final points about the Iraq war as reported in the Washington Post and he asks: "Is there anyone who doubts that the Egyptian and Pakistani forces could actually hire and train Iraqi youth?"

Posting "An Anti-Magnificat," Progressive Christians Uniting writes that "With the Advent season upon us, it’s time to look again at why serious American Christians have no choice but to be part of the loyal opposition to the way our society is organized."

Commenting on Arthur C. Brooks' new book entitled "Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth about Compassionate Conservatism."Pondering on a Faith Journey wonders if conservatism really is compassionate.

"Read This Book, eh, hoser?" Pastor Dan posts a very fun article on LiberalOasis.com editor Bill Scher's new book: "Wait! Don't Move to Canada. The four main points for a better American future:

* Embrace the L-Word and Win The Center
* Buy Your Share In America (that's the part I stole - sorry, borrowed -
* Defuse the Culture War, and
* Express Your Faith. Or Not.

CrossLeft keeps the heat on Focus on the Family here.

Mainstream Baptist notes that the Faith-based Initiative is going to get investigated.

On the God's Politics blog, Alice Scott-Ferguson hopes for an end to hostilities over the roles of women in American culture.

Speaking of women empowerment, Eteraz posts on the recent changes in Pakistan.

The Rev. Eric Elnes' CrossWalk blog notes that their recent press conference about the Left Behind video game made the national news. Read more here.

And finally, Johnny's Blog reprints some salient sections from Naomi Wolf's recent talk at the Institute for Progressive Christianity:

"So I urge you to speak up for this America and avoid the temptation to plug your more progressive theology directly into the political system. It would be just as scary for a religious minority to have legislation providing homeless shelters because legislators argue that Jesus wanted it as it is to have legislation outlawing abortion because Jesus wanted it. What we want are policies based on ethics and ethics can certainly derive from faith. The difference is crucial."