The Religion Newswriters Association released the top ten religion stories of 2010. The RNA is generally made up of religious reporters / writers in secular newspapers. I think it is interesting what they believe made the most significant headlines last year. In case you weren’t paying attention, here are four of the top stories listed.
#9. The U.S. Religious Knowledge Survey released by the Pew Forum offers some surprising findings, including that atheists, agnostics, Jews and Mormons had the highest correct answers.
You weren’t expecting that, I bet. You can hit the Pew Forum for the details of that study here.
#7. The prolonged economic slump spells trouble for additional churches and ministries.
I blogged on this issue myself. You can read that here.
#3. Pope Benedict XVI is accused of delaying church action against pedophile priests in Ireland, Germany, the United States and other countries when he led the Vatican office in charge of discipline 1981 to 2005.
You can read a BBC report on this story here.
And the #1 religion news story of 2010 is one you certainly recognize.
#1 A proposal to build an Islamic center and mosque near Ground Zero leads to a national debate on religious freedom, with strong statements on both sides as the 9/11 anniversary approached.
This issue elicited strong responses among evangelicals on both sides of the discussion. You can check out the wikipedia page of Park51, the name of the mosque/cultural center, here.
Head over to RNA.org and check out the entire top ten list, and then come back here to discuss. They also have #’s 11-20. The number 11 slot goes to the “Faith-based aid workers are slain in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Half of Iraq’s 750,000 Christians have left it since 2003.” I wish that story got more attention, but at least it did get some press.
What religious stories will make the news this year? Are you ready to engage in the dialogue (wherever it goes) with truth and grace, seeking to point the world to Christ?
