April (Web-only) 2004

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China cancels China National Orchestra concert over Christian fears
China's Ministry of Culture ordered the chorus of the China National Orchestra to withdraw from a Saturday concert, reportedly because it included Christian-themed material, according to the Associated Press.

Conductor Su Wenxing, whose Hebei Orchestra was to perform "Easter Chorus" and other works with the China National Orchestra, said the Chinese government refused to give any official information about the cancellation. Both Su and the Chinese-born Canadian composer of "Easter Chorus," Huang An Lun, are Christians.

If fear of Christianity really was the reason for the demand—and what else could it be?—it's another piece of evidence that the Chinese government is becoming increasingly antagonistic toward Christianity (though, of course, other recent evidence is much more troubling). In 2002, China Daily, a state-run newspaper, touted Su's conducting of Handel's "Messiah" and other religious works. "Many great composers such as Bach and Handel were loyal Christians," he was quoted as saying. "Since I became a Christian, I have had a new understanding of them and interpret them much better."

Su told the AP that he wanted the Hebei Orchestra to play the concert anyway, outside Beijing's Zhongshan Concert Hall. There's no word on how that went.

Supreme Court rejects fired officer's case
Benjamin Endres, a Baptist who was fired by the Indiana State Police for refusing to work full-time at a casino, has been denied a hearing by the U.S. Supreme Court. That means that the decision from the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stands, and that Endres stays fired.

The Associated Press suggests that the Supreme Court justices rejected the case out of religion fatigue. Columnist ...