According to the New York Times, researchers from the independent Pew Forum on Religion and Public life phoned over 3,400 Americans and asked them 32 questions related to ritual, belief and practice in Christianity. On average, the people that scored highest were atheist and agnostics. Associate Director for Research at the Pew Forum Alan Cooperman said atheist consciously deviated from religion after examining it closely. Average number of questions answered correctly, out of 32: Atheist/agnostic: 20.9, Jewish: 20.5, Mormon: 20.3, White Evangelical Protestant: 17.6, White Catholic: 16.0, White Mainline Protestant: 15.8, Nothing in particular: 15.2, Black Protestant: 13.4, Hispanic Catholic: 11.6.

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Mexican mayor, aide found stoned to death

Mayor of Tancitaro, Mexico, Gustavo Sanchez and his aide, Rafael Equihua, were found Sept. 27 and were reported to be stoned to death. The bodies were discovered in an abandoned pickup truck. The attorney general said they are investigating possible motives. Tancitaro is home to only 26,000 people, but soldiers have destroyed more than 20 methamphetamine labs in the past year, and suspected gang members have killed several police officers .City Council Chief Gonzalo Paz was kidnapped, tortured and killed last year, and in December 2009, the mayor and several other city officials resigned after being threatened.

Compiled by Spinnaker and Wire Services