Top 10 News Stories, 2003

The events, people, and ideas of the past year that Christianity Today‘s news editors believe have shaped, or will significantly shape, evangelical life, thought, or mission.

1. Defining Marriage: As gay-rights activists and judges move toward legal recognition of homosexual unions, moral conservatives push for a constitutional amendment to protect marriage.

2. Iraq War:Attack and occupation destabilize Christian-Muslim relations.

3. House Divided: Anglican Communion teeters on the brink of a breakup over the consecration of openly homosexual bishop Gene Robinson.

4. Abortion Progress: President Bush signs bill outlawing partial-birth abortions, the first legal abortion restriction since Roe v. Wade.

5. Persecution in India: As churches grow among Dalits and Sikhs, Hindu militants crack down.

6. Faith-based Initiative:Stymied politically, Bush uses an executive order to fund social services through religious charities.

7. Economy: Rough financial times bring layoffs and closings at denominations and parachurch agencies.

8. Holy (Land) Terror: Renewed violence in the Middle East impedes administration efforts to jump-start peace process.

9. Life Issues: Brain-damaged Terri Schiavo wins a reprieve; prolife groups rally to support her.

10. Ten Commandments: Alabama chief justice Roy Moore loses his job and his battle to display the Decalogue.

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