Daily Links: Polls, petitions, politicians

CNN reports on two new studies: apparently critical thinking can make you less religious [1], and though politicians are talking up faith, many people wish they wouldn't [2]. Speaking of faith and politicians,here's more on Paul Ryan's back-and-forth with the bishops about his interpretation of Catholic social teaching [3].

Says Mary Hunt at Religion Dispatches: We are all nuns [4].

The Atlantic asks [5]: Should a Catholic school be able to be fire an employee over fertility treatments? Be sure to read our feature from September about Catholicism and in vitro fertilization [6].

The Washington Post notes a shift in support [7] for the death penalty, while Pew notes some interesting changes in attitudes [8] regarding same-sex marriage.

And, a petition was delivered [9] to the bishop who influenced Anna Maria College's decision to disinvite Victoria Kennedy from speaking at its commencement. However, the bishop has declared he will not change his mind [10].