Welcome to the Morning Buzz, PRRI’s morning dose of religion-related news with a shot of data – because what doesn’t liven up a morning round-up like some public opinion numbers? There may be new clues to the mystery of the lost colony of Roanoke, which point less to alien abduction (a theory that was not taught in my elementary school) and more toward invisible ink.

On Sunday morning, Vice President Joe Biden said that he was “comfortable” with gay marriage, on an appearance on “Meet the Press.” The White House was quick to add that this signaled no change in the president’s views on same-sex marriage, which he has not yet openly embraced. But it does hint at a potential shift in the administration’s position, one that mirrors the general public’s gradually growing support.

Meanwhile, the United Methodist Church voted to uphold its policy that same-sex relationships are “incompatible with Christian teaching.” A representative of the Pope also called on Jews, Christians, and Muslims to unite against same-sex marriage. For more on religious groups’ perspectives on same-sex marriage, check out this research note.

This week, North Carolina voters will go to the polls to decide whether a ban on same-sex marriage will be enshrined in the state’s constitution. Some anti-same-sex marriage groups have been working to enlist black Protestants in the struggle to constitutionally define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but younger black Protestants may be tougher to convince.

Despite the fact that Mormons are mostly politically conservative (and look a lot like white evangelical Protestants on many key policy issues), there are a handful of Mormons who support Obama, despite their shared faith with Romney.

Tea Party power is threatening to unseat one Senate moderate from Indiana, but otherwise, some Tea Party freshmen are finding their own reelection to be quite a challenge.

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