533 Clothman's Top 10 Religion Stories of 2008 and the Questions They Raise
Religion always makes headlines; however, last year’s stories may be glimpses into the future of things to come. Here are Clothman’s Top 10 Religion Stories of 2008 and the futuristic questions they raise.
#10 Internet Opens Church Doors. Because of their various connections to the candidates, sermons by Rev. Wright, Rev. Hagee, Pastor Parsley and Father Pfleger went global via the Internet during the recent presidential election. These religious leaders were suddenly forced to explain and defend controversial comments made from the once safe confines of their church pulpit. Will the Internet affect how pastors preach?
#9 Proposition 8 Passes. After the California Supreme Court legalized gay marriage voters approved a constitutional amendment overturning the decision. Will this surprise victory for Conservative Christians and Mormons last – or will it back fire?
#8 Obama Chooses Warren. Obama angered liberals by selecting Evangelical Pastor Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration. Warren angered conservatives by accepting. Is Obama practicing what he preaches? Will he bring real change we can believe in to the White House?
#7 The Anglican Communion's once-in-a-decade Bishop’s gathering was dominated by internal disagreements over homosexuality, ordination, property ownership, and global leadership. U.S conservatives alienated from the Episcopal Church say they will ask Anglican Communion leaders for permission to create the Anglican Church in North America which would allow dioceses unhappy in the Episcopal Church to operate under the authority of a North American bishop. As we watch this slow motion implosion are we seeing the future of other mainline denominations as well?
#6 Pope Impresses US. Pope Benedict XVI visit to the US was a smashing success. In addition to bringing a message of hope, he was stunningly apologetic about the sexual abuse scandal within the Catholic Church and even met with victims of clergy misconduct. However, will the Pope’s call to return to the church’s ancient traditions move it forward or backward?
#5 Religion and Politics. From Mitt Romney’s Mormonism and Mike Huckabee’s ministerial background, to a pastor (Rick Warren) moderated encounter between McCain and Obama to McCain’s selection of Sarah Palin as his vice president running mate to shore up the Evangelical vote, religion played a significant role in the recent presidential election – again. Now that the show is over, how much of a role will religion play in process of governing?
#4 Pew Findings Stink for Denominations. A massive study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life revealed that while Americans are still very spiritual they are not very faithful. Americans changes churches as often as they do jobs, homes and spouses. A stunning 44% have left the faith of their childhood. Furthermore, the fastest growing religious group is the “unaffiliated.” It seems the old hymn “Give Me that Old Time Religion” is not very popular in churches these days. Will this lack of commitment lead to the demise of denominations or their retooling?
#3 Recession Hits Churches. This story is just starting to unfold but the catastrophic downturn in the economy will not only lighten the offering plates in churches but greatly increase crisis counseling and the demand for benevolence. It is a perfect storm for churches and religious organizations. God makes good things out of bad situations; will churches and religious groups survive and if so how will they be different?
#2 Religion and Violence. The death toll continues to mount in Sudan, Monks gunned down in Tibet, Hindu militants slaughtering Christians in India as well as the Mumbai terrorist attack, Sunni and Shiite Muslims attacking one another and Christians – another year is marked by religious violence. Are things getting worse in the world?
#1 Christian and Muslim Dialogue. Clothman’s #1 story of the year. 138 Muslim scholars and clerics representing the major branches of Islam released "A Common Word Between Us and You," inviting Christians to interfaith dialogue on behalf of peace. In response, scholars at Yale Divinity School's Center for Faith and Culture drafted "Loving God and Neighbor Together," which was signed by hundreds of Christian leaders and published in The New York Times. Fundamentalists on both sides reject the dialogue, are they in the majority or the minority? For the record, Clothman signed the document.
Other top religion stories which just about made this year’s Clothlist.
New Evangelicalism. Falwell, Dobson, Robertson and Hybels gone or fading; Warren, Hunter, Caldwell and McLaren rising. Are Evangelicals becoming progressives?
Mormonism In? Despite 400 children being removed from a polygamous Mormon sect in Texas; did Romney, Glenn Beck and Prop. 8 warm some up to acceptance of Mormons as mainstream Christians?
Grassley Investigation. Sen. Charles Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the Senate Finance Committee investigates six prominent televangelist ministries for possible financial misconduct. What changes are in store for televangelists?
Todd Bentley. Bentley’s revival meetings in Florida drew 100's of 1000's. Did his controversial message and subsequent moral failings divide or unite Charismatics?
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