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Last Friday we were told that alcohol sales have shot up on account of the Wall Street meltdown. Today another totally obvious angle to the financial crisis is explored, one that explains what the people who haven't been getting wasted have been doing with their free time: They're in church! Yes, brief interviews with a handful of local clergymen seems to suggest that New Yorkers are now turning to God for comfort and consolation. Reverend Mark Bozzuti-Jones of Trinity Church says he's seen a upturn in visitors over the past week and says the church is now putting together workshops and seminars with titles like "Coping with stress in an uncertain time" and "Navigating career transitions."

Father Peter Madigan at St. Peter's Church reports he's seen an "uptick in attendance among people in suits." The Wall Street Synagogue's Rabbi Meyer Hager says he "can see the expression of strained concern" in the eyes of his congregants and plans to keep the temple open nightly to accommodate increased numbers of crestfallen Wall Streeters. So who's not worried? Those anti-American Muslims, of course! "A mosque located in the financial district about a mile from Wall Street did not return a call seeking comment." Presumably, none of the other 1.8 billion Muslims around the world were available either.

With Wall Street in turmoil, some turn to religion [Reuters]