Following the frenzy at the primary school performance and the National Non-Discrimination and Equality Tribunal’s suggestion, Handel’s “Messiah” was cancelled in a comprehensive school in Uusimaa due to complaints about Christian references in the music.

The original concert was one of three Christian performances, with both religious and non-religious pupils attending. The first one was staged in 2022, with references to Jesus’s crucifixion, death and absolution. According to the Finnish media “the religiosity of the concert was not announced in advance, but the school apologised after the concert.” During the second performance, a hymn was removed after the student complained. Others criticised the parish choir at the third concert. 

The Finnish Baroque Orchestra and the Helsinki Chamber Choir would have had a joint performance before the schools cancelled the concert. Laura Kajander, executive director of the Baroque Orchestra, voiced her disappointment: “The atmosphere in the chamber choir and baroque orchestra has been shocked by the decision. If concerts are cancelled, it is the children who suffer.”

Finnish MP and former government minister Päivi Räsänen expressed her views on how ridiculous this notion was: “Compensation payment of 1,500 euros for discrimination when a non-religious child accidentally heard a song about Jesus. Has the use of common sense disappeared? At the same time, schools celebrate Halloween with witches and zombie characters. How can a song about Jesus be perceived as so dangerous?” 

MP Räsänen has been fighting a lengthy legal battle after being accused of “hate speech” as a Christian for expressing her perspective on marriage. 

According to data from the Joshua Project, around 80% of Finland’s population identifies as Christian – of which 10% are Evangelical Christians. 17.1% state they are non-religious, and 1.9% identify as Muslim.

Source: https://www.christiantoday.com