Magazines and blogs have put out their year end “top religious stories of the year” lists, notably Time, Religion Newswriters Association, and the Huffington Post. Here at Not About Religion, religious literacy is paramount. Therefore, we have put together a list of the top 5 things that we learned from religious stories in 2008.
1. US Presidential election
Coverage of the 2008 Presidential election produced a religion themed story almost daily it seemed. In fact, the top 3 stories in RNA’s year end list centered around the election. From Jeremiah Wright’s colorful commentary, to John Hagee’s endorsement, to Sarah Palin’s creepy blessing video–religion and politics merged like never before.
What we learned: Religion still matters, a lot. Was there really any doubt?
2. California’s Proposition 8
The California Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage, but, with the help of a religious campaign consisting of the Catholic Church, Rick Warren, and Mormons, voters narrowly overturned the ruling in November, revoking the rights of Gays and Lesbians to marry.
What we learned: Get a few powerful religious organizations together and there is nothing that can’t be accomplished. Too bad they couldn’t use their power for something more practical.
3. FLDS Ranch
Over 400 children were removed from the Fundamental Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints ranch in Texas because of alleged abuse. Of the 53 teenaged girls, aged 14-17, taken from ranch, 31 were either pregnant or have children.
What we learned: The 1st amendment only goes so far. Religious freedom doesn’t mean freedom from law, or decency.
4. ET may be saved
In May Father Jose Funes, director of the Vatican Observatory, told the newspaper L’Osservatore Romano that if aliens existed, they might not need redemption. Humanity might be the cosmos’s “lost sheep,” the one out of a hundred in Jesus’s parable that wandered and needed the special attention. “If there are also other intelligent beings,” Funes explained, “It’s not a given that they need redemption. They might have remained in full friendship with their creator.”
As reported by Time magazine
What we learned: a. Everyone should believe in something: whether it be God, science fiction, or a combination of the two.
b. Catholics have the ability to think progressively?
5. Sunni/Shiite conflict
Violence between Sunni and Shiite Muslims continues in Iraq.
What we learned: Nothing, apparently
