Religious News of the Year

Time does a decent job of reflection, which is generally a lost art in our culture. So they reflect on the previous year, most notably in the Person of the Year. No surprise this year. But they also do a List Issue, reflecting on a various list of Top 10s from the mundane to the fantastic, from global news to pop culture. Here's their list of the top 10 religious news stories of the year. Some commentary provided.

1. The economy trumps religion in the election.
I suppose we saw this coming. Generally, the American public cares a lot more about money than God. The odd thing is: when many people don't have money or it is taken away, many are prone to pray more. Does our culture really need God? Truman said a recession is when your neighbor loses his job and a depression is when you lose yours. I, on the other hand, guage economic security/insecurity by how many more people feel like they need God. I'd say the economy's fine based no that guage. See number 8 below.

2. The Mormons are a powerful force in culture shaping (see: California's ban on gay marriage)
Evangelicals are generally the most culturally powerful religious group in the country, because generally they have the largest voting bloc. So generally the media covers them (see 7 below). But the Mormons have money, and lots of it. This is proof that money wins elections (see 1 above and Obama's campaign coffers).

3. The Pope's visit to the US goes well.
It was great to see the Pope offer apologies in humility to those who were victimized by the sex scandals here.

4. The worldwide Anglican meeting every 10 years was a non-event with many conservatives no-showing. American Episcopals continue to defect.
Generally speaking, church division is a bad thing. But sometimes it purifies the church. Paul cared as much about truth as he did church unity. Sometimes this is a delicate balance. Other times its obvious. In my opinion, defection to African bishops is obvious (see the whole Bible).

5. The big Pew Research poll back in the summer.
I don't think this study is as revealing as people think it is. Catholics, mainline, and evangelicals are all classified differently. As an evangelical, do I think that Catholics and mainline folks can have a relationship with Jesus? Yes. So on this study that means that I think others can go to heaven outside of my belief system. And there are plenty of "unaffiliated" folks that go to church and believe in Jesus. This wasn't that revealing then.

6. Tibetan Buddhist monks protest against China.

7. The birth of the New Evangelicalism.
The media gobbles stuff like this up. "Ooh! Evangelicals care about the environment and the poor (hint: we always have and we've generally done a better job than most at it). Maybe now those darn evangelicals will take up the lead of Sider, Wallis, and Campolo (all of whom spoke or will speak at Denver Seminary) and care about the things we care about," says the media. Of course, we can't forget about the unborn, who are still dying at an enormously high rate. But I don't want to belittle this movement, because evangelicals can change the face of the African continent, for example. Let's focus on what is true, and not on what will make those around us happier with our views.

8. The challenge of recession on church budgets and ministry.
I have a conflict of interest here. I work at a church. But maybe this recession will challenge churches to engage mission in a different way than before. I go to a local pub and meet people every week. It doesn't cost that much. I didn't have to put on a big event. Maybe our mission will be more intentional, regular, and relational from now on. We could stand to learn the lesson.

9. The bust of a kosher packing plant in Iowa.

10. The Vatican's announcement that if extraterrestrials exist, they may already be saved.