I have just read this article about a graduate who was told she was not allowed to play an instrumental version of Ave Maria at a graduation ceremony because it was an ‘obviously religious piece’.  How utterly ridiculous.  As the article correctly suggests, if they start taking this line, then just how far will it go?  Will freedom of speech be restricted as such that student speeches will not be allowed to take place, because they proffer an opinion?  Will it be acceptable to graduate at all, because this suggests a hierarchical societal status?  Will, indeed we be able to say that it is 2010, because that counts back to the year of Christ’s birth?

Whatever you believe about Jesus, historical records show that he was a real person, so we count back to his birth as a historical reference point.  There is no need to bring ‘religion’ into it.  As a Christian, I personally count back to the most amazing year of the world’s history to date, when a being who was fully God, became simultaneously fully man.

With regards to Ave Maria, I am also led to believe that one of the primary American mottos is supposed to be, “IN GOD WE TRUST”.  So why on earth, did the American judicial system see it fitting to disregard this case out when it was taken to court?  At what point amidst all this ridicule will people realise that in an effort to be politically correct, they are persecuting Christians?

That said, I am not sure how I feel about the girl in question trying to sue.  I am reminded of the Bible verse that says “And now one believer takes another believer to court and all of this, in front of unbelievers!”  It is a message about forgiveness.  How can you say that someone is forgiven by God for a life of crime and then take someone else to court because they owe you 50 quid?  With the same measure that you forgive, you will be forgiven.

I do, however, believe in justice.  There will be times when it is appropriate to take people to court and for these, you have to use discernment.  Was it necessary to sue someone for not allowing a religious piece of music?  I am not sure it was.  What was her motive?  To be able to play the piece, or to get money?  To make a stand for Christianity or to further fuel the ammunition and hatred of those who already took issue with it?  I am not saying we should be doormats, but I do think that we should choose our battles carefully. Fight for the ones that will bear fruit for God’s purposes, not the ones that just make you look like a bit of a pain in the backside.  At the end of the day, if it is crowned a “secular event” then what is the point fighting that decision?  Every man will be given the choice to accept or reject God and this organisation had made their decision. If the event had been all about democracy and freedom of speech then fight the battle.