Jack Niewold's Blog

A few years ago, theologian Uwe Siemon-Netto wrote about the influence of the music of Bach on many Japanese young people. It’s not just the passages of scripture that often fill the chords of this music, but the spirit of the music itself, that was having such an impact on a younger, more alienated generation.

Not to be conspiratorial, but it is not at all inconceivable that in Europe the music of Bach and others will be found “offensive” as political correctness and cultural hyper-sensitivity work to excise anything of religious significance from the public life of the continent.

Those who wish to pooh-pooh such an idea simply haven’t been paying attention to the extent to which certain literature, religious speech and traditional values have come under what they call the “hermeneutic of suspicion” (an academic euphemism for progressive disdain). And when progressives disdain something, can suppression be far behind?

Ask many Christian inn-keepers throughout Europe, who are forced to violate their consciences and permit homosexual boarders or be sued out of existence.

My guess is that a majority of Europeans find nothing in this to be bothered about. The prohibition of some people’s religious rights in the interests of others’ chosen lifestyles seems not to be an issue.

Wouldn’t it be the height of irony for Bach cantatas and oratorios to be banished from the public square in the same cities where the minaret and the 3 PM call to prayers must be honored in the name of diversity?