Commentary; Posted: 1/10/07
Top 10 religious stories of 2006
Rev. John Blackford
Religion Columnist
Religion themes are an important part of the media. This article will deal with 10 of the most significant of them occurring last year.
Others, in commenting on religious topics, may list events not in this resume, but it is hoped this column will remind the readers of things which occurred in the past 12 months that had great impact and will influence the future. (Some may find it helpful to begin with the 10th and finish with the first.
1. The Mideast Conflict which is becoming a confrontation between Islam and Christianity. As radical Islamic clerics gain favor with their government leaders and many people, especially the youth, the attacks on the religious principles of the western nations are mounting. There is no desire in the West to become involved in a holy war, and many people in predominantly Islamic countries are opposed to this possibility, but there are signs it could happen.
2. The visit of Pope Benedict to Turkey. In late November, Pope Benedict made his first visit to a predominantly Muslim country. Several months before, in speaking out against fanaticism, he quoted a historical criticism of Islam. The speech was offensive to Muslim leaders, and was denounced throughout the Islamic world.
He expressed his regrets to the reaction, but his subsequent visit was not welcomed by his hosts. In an effort to repair his damaged relations with Muslims he spoke in a conciliatory manner, calling for a healthy dialogue with Muslims, repeatedly etching out the common ground shared by Christianity and Islam. His four-day visit ended amid praise, with Istanbul's leading cleric speaking of better days between the faiths. Christians can be thankful for the gracious way he represented all of us, and hope and pray for positive results.
3. The growing rift in the Anglican Communion. Anglicans, known as the Episcopal Church in the United States, have been facing divisions since the consecration in 2003 of a gay bishop in New Hampshire, who was living with his male partner, and the acceptance of gay clergy in an increasing number of U.S. dioceses (regional groups of churches).
The majority of worldwide Anglicans are opposed to these practices, and some American churches have broken with the denomination on this issues. Several have joined dioceses in Uganda, Rwanda and elsewhere in Africa, which are big, fast-growing and dedicated to conservative values.
4. The lessening of support for conservative political candidates by evangelicals and Roman Catholics. In the November elections part of the reason for Republican losses was the decline in voter interest by these groups which had previously given strong backing.
In some congregations pastors were criticized for being unwilling to take public stands on controversial issues, such as abortion and gay marriage. Although not supporting either of these, the pastor of a Twin City church of 5000 members, lost a thousand of them after his sermon in which he said the church should steer clear of politics.
5. The costly effects of the clergy sexual abuse cases in the Roman Catholic Church. It is estimated that U.S. dioceses have paid $2 billion in claims to those abused, and four have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to seek financial protection to deal with sex abuse cases. Because of aggressive efforts to deal with this problem, a new study has shown the church is rebounding from the crisis which erupted in 2002.
6. The resignation of the Rev. Ted Haggard from his 14,000-member church in Colorado Springs, CO and from the presidency of the National Association of Evangelicals after he confessed to paying for sex with another man and using methamphetamines. He had been a vocal opponent of same-sex marriage.
7. The election of state Rep. Keith Ellison to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Minnesota Fifth Congressional District (Minneapolis). He is the first Muslim elected to Congress.
Traditionally, new members of Congress have privately taken the oath of office with their left hand on the Bible, but Ellison has decided to take his oath on the Qur'an, the holy book of his faith. There has been considerable criticism of his decision, and some have requested Congress pass a law that the Bible be the only book that could be used in swearing-in ceremonies.
8. The holding of a conference sponsored by Iran to examine evidence for the World War II Holocaust in which 6 million Jews were murdered. The president of Iran has already called the killing of European Jews a myth, and said the nation of Israel should be wiped off the map, or moved to Germany or the United States.
9. The ceremony in July in Pittsburgh in which eight women proclaimed themselves priests in the Roman Catholic Church. In similar services in other countries, most of the participants have been excommunicated. The clergy shortage is bringing pressure on the Vatican to ordain women, but the church has a long tradition of allowing only men to serve.
10. The persecution of Christians in parts of the world.
In Nigeria Muslims burned churches and killed a number of Christians. In Afghanistan Muslim clerics demanded the death penalty for a man who converted to Christianity. His life was spared after intervention by German authorities who took an interest in him because he had lived in Germany for nine years while working for an international aid group in Pakistan. The consecration of two bishops by the government-controlled Chinese Catholic Church was denounced by Pope Benedict and raised the issue of excommunication for those involved.
The angelic message at the birth of Christ, "peace on earth," is still the divine plan for our world, though it seems remote at times. This assurance will help us keep hope alive, and give us grace and strength for the new year.
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