Sadly, the top religion story is a non-story.
For me, the top religion story is the amazing silence of the Christian
church, across denominational lines, regarding the war in Iraq and all
of its ramifications. This includes, but certainly is not limited to,
the stories out of Guantanamo Bay, misinformation and intelligence
discrepancies, the refugees of Iraq and now, the saber-rattling toward
Iran. Second, it’s the silence toward Darfur and the Sudan by the
Christian church. And I only place it second, because the Iraq war is so
much more visible and prominent as a news story.
I’m not talking about the politics of war, nor am I trying to champion a
partisan platform; rather, I’m critical of the almost nonexistent moral
conscience that the Christian church can and should provide to the war
conversation. If there is one thing that all Christians agree on; it is
that the central figure of our religion is called the “Prince of Peace.”
Yet, apart from a few exceptions, that message of peace is being stifled
in the back pews of our churches.
If you take a look at the top 10 news items according to the Religion
Newswriters Assn., there is not one item that even points to Iraq.
Throughout the year, we talk about the relevancy of religion and the
church; can we find a better indicator of the church’s irrelevancy than
this? The war is front-page news, yet it doesn’t even score on the
“religion top 10”?
I can only think of the millions of cards that are being exchanged this
week with the holiday wish for “Peace on Earth.” Before it was adopted
by Hallmark, it was the voice of the angels at the Birth of One, whose
love for humanity overpowered humanity’s ability to destroy itself.
Peace on Earth is achievable. To me, that was, is and always will be the
greatest news story.
Merry Christmas.
FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church Youth Ministries
In His Shoes Mission
Back to ALL In Theory Articles
As it appeared in the column
Perhaps the top religion story for next year will be the presidential candidate issue. We only started becoming apprised of the various candidates’ positions this current year, and the internal dialogue about whether moral stance or religious affiliation matters more had just begun (the two apparently being at odds in politics).More a top item in 2007 was the sheer number of ministry leaders that made the news, as a whole. While the Ted Haggard sex scandal broke at the end of last year, its aftermath wasn’t known until this, when the ministry he vacated suffered financially and cut staff. As well, books were published about it, and the good National Assn. of Evangelicals, of which Haggard was also president, got a black eye for its lack of discernment in having him as leader. Haggard left, and Leith Anderson was named its new president in 2007.
Christianity Lite was preached by feel-good preacher Joel Osteen, and his face was plastered simultaneously across the covers of several top publications in 2007. Then there was the Rev. Kent Hovind, the well-meaning, early-Earth creationist and Dinosaur Adventure Land entrepreneur, who got a hold of some bad advice regarding the government’s right to levy taxes. He didn’t pay any, so he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
And how many went to heaven in 2007? The PTL Club’s Tammy Faye Messner; the Moral Majority’s Jerry Falwell; and Evangelism Explosion’s D. James Kennedy. Also, televangelism pioneer Rex Humbard, finally met the Lord face-to-face this past September.
I’d say the story of the year is that the saints go marching on; that God-stuff still concerns us and that news is made by those who lead the church, for better or worse, till death do us part.
THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM
Senior Pastor
Montrose Community Church
The evangelical movement’s choice for president is certainly a major news story, since it may have a significant impact on who becomes the next leader of the free world. But there is another, often overlooked, phenomenon that would be my choice as the top story of the year. It’s a cultural trend described in this week’s cover story in U.S. News & World Report titled “A Return to Ritual: Why many modern worshipers, including Catholics, Jews and evangelicals are embracing tradition.”
There was a sharp turn away from religious tradition during the 1960s and ’70s, but now we’re seeing a reversal of that trend. In the U.S. and across the world, people of all faiths are beginning to adopt the spiritual lifestyles of their forefathers. Within Judaism, for example, the leadership of various liberal movements have been asserting for more than 100 years that ritual is not important. Today, they are reversing course and encouraging their followers to keep Kosher and honor the Sabbath — practices they had previously disregarded.
This is a very positive development in my view, since the authentic underpinnings of religious tradition will encourage people to lead more productive lives, enhance their moral values and be charitable and kind to others. I believe that this incredible shift of attitude in our nation’s population — especially among the youth — will change the character of America for the better.
RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN
Chabad Jewish Center
Sadly, the top religion story is a non-story.
For me, the top religion story is the amazing silence of the Christian church, across denominational lines, regarding the war in Iraq and all of its ramifications. This includes, but certainly is not limited to, the stories out of Guantanamo Bay, misinformation and intelligence discrepancies, the refugees of Iraq and now, the saber-rattling toward Iran. Second, it’s the silence toward Darfur and the Sudan by the Christian church. And I only place it second, because the Iraq war is so much more visible and prominent as a news story.
I’m not talking about the politics of war, nor am I trying to champion a partisan platform; rather, I’m critical of the almost nonexistent moral conscience that the Christian church can and should provide to the war conversation. If there is one thing that all Christians agree on; it is that the central figure of our religion is called the “Prince of Peace.” Yet, apart from a few exceptions, that message of peace is being stifled in the back pews of our churches.
If you take a look at the top 10 news items according to the Religion Newswriters Assn., there is not one item that even points to Iraq. Throughout the year, we talk about the relevancy of religion and the church; can we find a better indicator of the church’s irrelevancy than this? The war is front-page news, yet it doesn’t even score on the “religion top 10”?
I can only think of the millions of cards that are being exchanged this week with the holiday wish for “Peace on Earth.” Before it was adopted by Hallmark, it was the voice of the angels at the Birth of One, whose love for humanity overpowered humanity’s ability to destroy itself. Peace on Earth is achievable. To me, that was, is and always will be the greatest news story.
Merry Christmas.
FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN
Armenian Church Youth Ministries
In His Shoes Mission
The top 2007 religious news story, which epitomizes the true role of religion in society today, is the story of thousands of Buddhist monks who took to the streets in protest in Myanmar. Last October, I attended a human rights summit at UCLA and the prince, Hso Khan Pha, from the Shan Federated States/Myanmar government, was a guest speaker. He delivered an impacting presentation complete with slides about the many human rights violations by Burmese military generals intent upon keeping the status quo in power.
As an American, I had no idea what was behind all the protests for Myanmar democracy and release of state officials from house arrest. My eyes were opened to the inhumanity being inflicted upon the people of the Shan States in the name of opium profits, not democracy. (Two-thirds of the world’s opium crop is grown in this triangular region between Thailand, Laos and China.)
The monks attempted faith-based diplomacy by peaceful marches and chanting in the streets toward religious shrines. The monks are highly respected figures in Burmese society. Treating the monks the same as dissidents or ordinary citizens provoked anger among the population while embarrassing the Burmese military.
The real challenge for all people of conscience is to find a way to support freedom and peace for all. I applaud this effort and earnestly support the Buddhist monks’ goal of a new democratic government and an end to human rights atrocities, which now forward the opium profiteering business.
Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard stated, “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.” If all churches united in action, as did the Buddhist monks, religion could motivate the change enabling a better life for all.
CATHERINE EMRANI
Volunteer Minister
Glendale Church of Scientology