Which Group Did the State Department Call a More Serious Threat Than Terrorists?

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:

"Antithesis of Biblical Ethics"

Megachurch pastor— and best-selling author Rick Warren— is defending his invitation to Senator Barack Obama— to speak at a Global Summit on AIDS and the Church. Conservative evangelical Rob Schenck is protesting Obama's appearance. He says the Senator, who is pro-choice, represents the antithesis of biblical ethics and morality, not to mention supreme American values."

But Warren tells FOX News— he has invited dozens of speakers— of all faiths and places on the political spectrum— because the AIDS problem is too big— to be solved by one group.

Polling Places

Speaking of churches, the American Humanist Association is taking aim at the practice of having polling places in houses of worship. The group is launching what it calls the first "nontheistic" legal center in Washington.

It says while many churches cover their religious symbols on Election Day, others display them prominently, in violation of the separation of church and state.

Animal Rights Activists

There's at least one front in the war on terror — even the ACLU is backing. President Bush has signed a new law giving federal authorities expanded powers to prosecute animal rights activists—which the State Department warns are a more serious day-to-day threat than terrorists— for US companies overseas.

The Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act will make it easier for the FBI to wiretap and prosecute animal rights activists who target researchers among others. Such harassment ranges— from late-night phone calls, to vandalism, assault, and even death threats.

Scary St. Nick?

And the "war on Christmas"— also goes on overseas. A ban on Saint Nicholas in Vienna's kindergartens is being enforced in response to pressure from Austria's growing Muslim population. City officials contend it's not about religion — that the sight of a large, bearded figure in school can frighten children. But one child psychiatrist says that's "total nonsense"— adding that Saint Nick is a "positive figure who encourages and rewards children."

—FOX News Channel's Martin Hill contributed to this report.