Prosperity gospel hits poorest continent

Some preachers have long been convincing Americans that giving large sums of money to the church will earn you not only eternal reward, but riches in your lifetime. But they are also sending the same message in poverty-stricken places all around the world. The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, which started in 1977 in a Rio de Janeiro park shelter and now is in 90 countries, opened Africa's largest church in Soweto, South Africa, Reuters reports.

The 8,000-seat cathedral is complete with an underground parking lot - needed for members' Nissan Navara 4x4's, the car God wants you to have, the preacher said in a sermon. Soweto once was plagued by violence, but is now home to a rising black middle class.

Paris gets religion

Apparently a few days in jail can convert one of Hollywood's wildest party girls, Paris Hilton, Reuters reports. Hilton, in jail for violating parole for a drunken-driving case, told Barbara Walters that God is giving her a second chance and that she will no longer act dumb. Instead, she plans to make a difference in the world.

We shall see if God really does work miracles when Hilton is released later this month.