There are any number of sources for religious news of today, such as Religious News Blog. But sources for 'this day in religious history' are harder to come by. Many thanks to Daily Rotten for gathering together these inspirational examples of the grand diversity of religious thought and behavior on this day, December 10th.

On December 10th, 1520, Martin Luther burnt the papal bull issued by Leo X, titled "Exsurge Domine", demanding an end to his heresies. Luther had published 95 points against the practice of granting indulgences, and the Catholic Church only had 94 points in favor of them. Luther was subsequently excommunicated, leaving him free found Protestant Christianity and author such works as The Jews and Their Lies. ["What shall we Christians do with this rejected and condemned people, the Jews? ... First to set fire to their synagogues or schools and to bury and cover with dirt whatever will not burn, so that no man will ever again see a stone or cinder of them. ... Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed. ... Third, I advise that all their prayer books and Talmudic writings, in which such idolatry, lies, cursing and blasphemy are taught, be taken from them. ... Fourth, I advise that their rabbis be forbidden to teach henceforth on pain of loss of life and limb. ... Fifth, I advise that safe-conduct on the highways be abolished completely for the Jews. ... Sixth, I advise that usury be prohibited to them, and that all cash and treasure of silver and gold be taken from them and put aside for safekeeping. ... Seventh, I commend putting a flail, an ax, a hoe, a spade, a distaff, or a spindle into the hands of young, strong Jews and Jewesses and letting them earn their bread in the sweat of their brow, as was imposed on the children of Adam."]

On December 10th, 1792, the General Assembly of Virginia ruled "That if any do commit the detestable and abominable vice of Buggery, with man or beast, he or she so offending, shall be adjudged a felon, and shall suffer death, in the case of felony, without the benefit of Clergy."

On December 10th, 1958, Ralph Muller and Peter Kamenoff (two ex-members of the Fountain of the World) accost guru Krishna Venta at the religion's hillside compound in Box Canyon, Ventura County, California. The men accuse Venta of having had sex with their wives. Venta, the reincarnation of Jesus Christ formerly known as Francis Pencovic, is unable to placate the men. So they detonate twenty sticks of dynamite they brought. The three men are instantly blown to pieces along with seven other believers. Venta's remains are only ever identified through dental records.

And on December 10th, 1993, Adolf Hitler was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in a ceremony performed inside their London temple. Mormons use this retroactive baptismal ritual to ensure ancestors or other relatives may join them in heaven. Hitler, like Luther, had a thing or two to say about the Jews (although he got along just fine with the Roman Catholic Church).

Oh thank heaven for all the good things religion brings to us every day!