The discussion of whether one religion is respected more than another in Daniel Barenboim's Diwan orchestra is degenerating into a tedious slew of smug atheism. Why bother about religion at all, some respondents seem to feel, if God is dead and everyone knows it? OK, let's get this straight. The issue is not whether it is good or bad to be religious in the 21st century. I have a view on the matter, but it's a private one between me and my conscience. The question here is whether the … [Read more...]
Why does everything have to be God vs Dawkins?
September 3, 2009 By Norman Lebrecht
09/3/09 6:01 PM |
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Barenboim’s cognitive dissonance
September 2, 2009 By Norman Lebrecht
Most musical responses, public and private, to my discussion of religious anomalies in Daniel Barenboim's Diwan orchestra have taken a markedly hostile tone. Several professional musicians argued that religious faith should have nothing to do with the process of making music. 'A majority of Israeli musicians just like most of their international colleagues have no time for religion,' is how one London violinist put it to me in an email. … [Read more...]
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