Commentary; Posted: 1/17/07
Top 10 secular stories of 2006
Rev. John C. Blackford,
Religion Columnist
A previous column was devoted to the top 10 religious events of the past year. This week the outstanding secular stories, with their religious aspects, will be considered.
Other commentators will probably differ in their selections and in the order of importance, but it is hoped this offering will furnish a helpful overview of the significant happenings of 2006.
1. The war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The rising death toll of over 3000 soldiers and marines, and the tremendous costs, have widened the divisions in the country over our involvement. "Should we stay?", and "how long?" are questions we are facing.
Will some form of democracy prevail, or will civil war erupt, and negate all our efforts? Iraqi religious leaders have been critical of us, and there has been opposition from some of our own clergy.
2. The US elections in November that gave control of Congress to the Democrats. Dissatisfaction in the electorate with the war and with domestic issues resulted in large gains for the Democrats, and led to their taking over both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Overall, the Republicans also suffered losses in state and local elections, and some of the religious groups that had given strong support in the past were less active in their behalf.
3. The nuclear weapons tests by North Korea. Leaders of that communist nation said the tests of long-range missiles capable of carrying nuclear arms, were strongly protested by South Korea, Japan and the US. Neighboring China, North Korea's main trading partner, has been largely silent.
4. The illegal immigration problems of our nation. There are over 10 million illegal immigrants here, mainly from Mexico and other parts of Latin America.
A "get tough" approach by Congress to confront this influx has brought huge protests by immigration-rights supporters, who want legislation putting illegals on the road to citizenship. Some church groups are involved.
5. The political shift to the left in Central and South America. Led by out-spoken US critic President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, the political landscape of this region is leaning left.
The countries moving in this direction include Bolivia, Chile, Nicaragua, Uruguay and Argentina.
In Mexico, the election to the presidency of conservative Felipe Calderone has led to widespread protests by supporters of his leftist rival. There are fears this shift could turn Latin America back toward the chaotic region it was during the 1980s, a concern felt not only in the political and economic worlds, but also in the churches.
6. The conviction and execution of Saddam Hussein by an Iraqi tribunal. After his capture by US forces several years ago, Hussein was held in prison and later tried by Iraqi authorities. His death by hanging was for crimes against his own people.
While Shiites, frequent targets of his anger, celebrated his death, fellow Sunnis vowed revenge. Both groups are Islamic in origin and practice, but often quarrel.
7. The furor over European newspaper cartoons depicting Mohammed, the founder of Islam, in an unflattering light. It is against Islamic law to prevent idolatry, to picture Mohammed and other major religious figures, let alone to ridicule them.
The cartoons appeared in a Danish newspaper and were intended to lampoon intolerance among Muslims. Other European newspapers published the drawings as an affirmation of freedom of speech.
8. The Enron Corporation scandals resulting in a verdict of guilt by fraud by Chief Executive Kenneth Lay, who later died.
Head of Enron, the southern energy giant, Lay was convicted of fraud and conspiracy which caused the fall of the company and great financial losses to employees and investors.
Before he went to jail, where he would have spent the rest of his life, he died of heart disease.
9. The fighting between Israel and the Hezbollah militia which battered southern Lebanon. In their conflict with Israel the militant Islamic group Hezbollah took the conflict into Lebanon.
Before the fighting ended with the retreat of the Hezbollah into Palestinian territory, Lebanon, the scene of many years of warfare, was left further damaged.
10. The worsening violence in the Sudan (Africa) Darfur region. The targets of the Islamic radicals are non-Arab Africans, mainly blacks, and Christians.
Many have been murdered or starved to death and others forced from their homes into refugee camps during three years of misery and bloodshed.
Through US diplomacy and the efforts by United Nations leaders, a peace pact was signed by the rebel radicals, but the violence and suffering have continued.
Last year's article on this subject closed with these words, which are appropriate a year later: Many good things happened last year, but bad news was frequent. The Bible is realistic about the fact of bad news, but has an encouraging word for us. Psalm 112 of the Old Testament speaks of those who trust in God. In verses seven and eight we read the people of faith ëwill have no fear of bad news.'
This trust brings a ësecure heart,' deliverance from ëfear' and ëin the end...triumph,' (New International Version), May 2007, bring this gracious heavenly gift to the reader."
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