Top 10 Top News Stories of 2003

I suspect that the invasion of Iraq and ouster of Saddam Hussein will always be counted as the biggest story of 2003. What are some of the ethical considerations in warfare? Is the so-called War on Terrorism like any other wars in American history? What is involved in such war and how far should people go in balancing civil liberties against safety and national security? Who are the Muslim extremists who are the primary targets of this war?

Roy Moore is a genuine celebrity for the Religious Right in America - his perpetual court cases over his various displays of the Ten Commandment have become a popular cause for fundamentalists around the country. It is, therefore, important to have a better understanding of who Roy Moore is, what he believes, and the history of his various court cases and legal battles.

The Matrix, a wildly popular film that has been followed by two huge sequels, is often regarded as a very "deep" film, tackling difficult subjects not commonly the subject of Hollywood's efforts. Is it, however, also a religious film - a film embodying religious subjects and transcendental values?

The "traditional" Religious Right has been receding in importance and influence in America. The leaders and movements are still there, but it seems as though they are being eclipsed by a far more dangerous and virulent form of right-wing religiosity: Christian Nationalism. Members of this movement so closely identify their own religious beliefs with America that they are unable to distinguish them anymore. Being an American means being a Christian (as they understand the term) and vice-versa.

Defense of the phrase "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance is almost invariably based upon falsehoods and distortions. More often than not people argue that the phrase is necessary because this nation was founded as a Christian nation and/or because an acknowledgment of God is central to our political system. While that may be true for politicians today, it wasn't the way America was founded.

Officials in Chesterfield County, Virginia, created a list of officially approved religions which may issue prayers at meetings - but that list excluded Wiccans. Cynthia Simpson, a Wiccan, sued to be allowed to deliver invocations and a U.S. District Judge ruled in her favor. Well, the Board of Supervisors isn't taking this demand that they be fair sitting down! No, they'll appeal this ruling and insist that they it is legal and constitutional for them to engage in religious bigotry.

A lot of people oppose the legalization of gay marriages - for them, this poses a serious threat to the institution of marriage itself. Now, it is entirely possible that their concerns are justified - but what is disturbing, and what should be disturbing for them as well, is just how similar their arguments are to the ones which were used to oppose interracial marriages and to support anti-miscegenation laws.

Usually conservatives in America are happy when Christian ethics are applied in government, but not this time. When Governor Bob Riley was elected in Alabama, he faced massive financial deficits - his solution was to have the poor pay less and the rich pay more. As a matter of Christian conscience.

Some atheists want to adopt and start using the term "Bright" because it sounds like a more positive and upbeat term than "atheist" does anymore. There are perhaps some good reasons for this - there is, after all, a lot of social stigma against the "atheist" label. Maybe "Bright" would be better? I doubt it.

Most people have probably heard about the tense situation that exists between evangelical Anglicans and the more liberal leadership throughout the Anglican Communion - but just how bad have things gotten? So bad that a meeting of evangelicals had to vote on whether to allow Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, to even visit their gathering and deliver a prayer.