New York mosque named top religion story of 2010

(RNS) The protracted and contentious debate over plans to build an
Islamic community center near Ground Zero in New York was the top
religion story of 2010, according to a survey of religion journalists.


The imam piloting the project, Feisal Abdul Rauf, was voted the
Religion Newswriters Association's top newsmaker of 2010, besting Pope
Benedict XVI, Sarah Palin, and aid workers in earthquake-ravaged Haiti.


Though the mosque project, known as Park51, is far from completion,
the story dominated headlines for weeks, especially as the anniversary
of the terrorist attacks of 9/11 approached. President Obama weighed in,
saying Muslims have a right to build houses of worship, but other
political leaders called the proposal insensitive to Americans still
grieving over the loss of friends and family.


The response of faith-based charities to Haiti's devastating
earthquake last January -- including child-smuggling accusations against
Idaho evangelicals -- was voted the No. 2 religion story of 2010.


Allegations that Benedict and other Catholic leaders responded
inadequately to the sexual abuse of children by Catholic clergy; the
rise of the Tea Party; and the various faith groups' responses to
Obama's health-care bill rounded out the top five stories of 2010,
according to the survey.


The rest of the top 10 are:


6. Debates over homosexuality among mainline Protestants,
particularly the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, and the Episcopal Church.


7. The economic recession's effect on churches and ministries,
including the bankruptcy of the landmark Crystal Cathedral in southern
California.


8. The suicide of several gay teens prompted soul searching among
American Christians about whether religion contributes to anti-gay
attitudes.


9. A survey by the Pew Forum yielded some surprising results,
including that atheists scored better than many Christians on a test of
religious knowledge.


10. The Supreme Court began its session in October without a
Protestant justice on the bench for the first time in history. Six
Catholics and three Jews sit on the high court.