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The 10 top secular news events of 2007 |
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Wednesday, 16 January 2008 |
Rev. John C. Blackford
Religion Columnist
In 1948 the writer began speaking about the 10 outstanding news events of the year. The No. 1 story chosen was the reestablishment of the nation of Israel in mid-May which occurred when he and his bride were on their wedding trip.
So, the Lord willing, they will be celebrating their 60th anniversary in a few months, as well as 60 years of news events presentations.
A previous column was devoted to the top religious events of last year. Now the secular events, many with religious ties, are offered. Other commentators will probably differ in their event selections and in their order of importance, but it is hoped this effort will furnish a helpful overview of the significant stories of 2007.
1. The war in the Mideast. The improvement of our position due to the “surge,” coming from added troops and better military and political strategy, somewhat lessened our concerns as a nation. However, there is still disagreement over it, along with debate about how long we should continue to be involved, and it will be a factor in the fall elections.
2. The death of Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan. In a suicide bombing and shooting the leader of the largest political party and a candidate for her country’s presidency lost her life on December 27. She had promised to restore effective democracy if elected, and her violent death threatened to set off a wave of grief and fury possibly leading to unrest, which could topple the government of U.S.- backed President Musharraf. Pakistan is vital to our interests in the Mideast, possesses nuclear weapons; and in its western borders there are training camps for Islamic terrorists who have brought suffering and death through suicide and roadside bombings.
3. The reemergence of Russia as a world power. After the end of communism there in the 1990’s Russia lost its place of leadership among the nations. President Putin has led them back to prominence, and, of late, has not been friendly to us and Western Europe. In December Russia reached agreement with Iran for completing construction of a nuclear power plant in southern Iran, a facility that adds to international tensions over Iran’s nuclear aims. Russia is rich in oil and natural gas deposits, strengthening its economy.
4. The concerns over global warming. For years warnings about the danger of increased output of greenhouse gases through more emissions, as the world becomes more industrialized, have been sounded by scientists. In December at a United Nations climate conference in Indonesia a historical global warming document was agreed upon, which enrolled the developing world in efforts to reduce emissions and pushed them to consider ways to limit their output of greenhouse gases. It stopped short of firm emissions targets, but bridged some of the gaps between rich and poor nations.
Dissenters claim they have been left out of the debate, and claim there are more serious problems, such as AIDS and malnutrition, than rising sea levels. Former Vice President, Al Gore, a Nobel Peace Prize winner for his advocacy of strong measures to control emissions, took his cause before our Congress earlier in the year.
5. The riots in Kenya and several other African nations. Serious instability across this continent has resulted from the results of the deeply controversial October election there. Kenya has been one of Africa’s most developed, stable countries, with a strong economy and a billion-dollar-a-year tourism industry. Tribal terrorism has erupted and many have been killed.
In Liberia, until a few years ago a peaceful nation, political unrest has brought unsettling conditions. In the Sudan Darfur region Islamic radicals have continued their long oppression of non-Arab people, mainly blacks, and Christians.
6. The steps toward peace taken by Israel and the Palestinians. A common fear of Iran and of extremism among their own peoples, drove leaders of these countries to a peace table conference held in November in Annapolis, Maryland. Earlier in the year an Arab League delegation went to Jerusalem to promote a peace plan with Israel.
Jerusalem has been a source of contention, with both sides claiming it, and so new talk of a divided city acceptable to each is a positive development. A seemingly obscure Bible verse, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” (Psalm l22:6) suddenly is relevant to a difficult situation.
7. The United States economy. It has been a year of unpleasant economic surprises. The most obvious indicator of trouble is in the sub-prime home mortgage loan field, which has upset capital markets and contributed to tightened credit standards for borrowers nationwide. In August it was reported by the federal government that incomes were rising and poverty rates were falling for the first time in this decade.
So, some economic signs are good. Counselors uniformly advise us to pay off credit card debt, and to avoid unwise expenditures.
8. The improved relations between the rival powers in Northern Ireland. For several centuries the country’s Roman Catholics and Protestants have engaged in sectarian struggle, and during the last 30 years, in a conflict that claimed more than 3600 lives.
Just before Easter the parties agreed to a power-sharing government in a deal struck by two political leaders who had bitterly denounced each other for decades, but had never held a conversation.
9. The problem of illegal immigration. There may be as many as 12 million illegal immigrants in our country, who come mainly from Mexico and other parts of Latin America. Economic concerns clash with humanitarian convictions, and feelings are strong. The problem is becoming a political issue, and will affect our fall elections.
10. The forward leap of stem cell research. In November it was reported that two teams of scientists from Wisconsin and Japan had turned human skin cells into what appear to be embryonic stem cells without having to make or destroy an embryo, thus defusing the ethics debate that had troubled this field of research.
The destruction of embryos in stem cell research had made it one of the most divisive issues in U.S. politics, and these new studies could defuse the debate.
Someone has said that the words, “Fear not,” are the thrush notes of hope. They are the Almighty’s message of encouragement in good times and bad.
Whatever the course of events in the coming year, and whatever our personal circumstances, if we listen we shall hear those heaven-sent words and take heart again.
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