What happens when a beloved creator has terrible views?

The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 19:34 (NIV)

This week Eric Clapton refused to play venues where vaccines are required. Some would like to turn this into a human rights issue, demanding that those who cannot get vaccines deserve protected status. In our quest to vaccinate the world, we are trampling their rights.

Everyone suffered trampled rights over the last year. And everything feels like a zero-sum game; that is, if I win, then you can’t, and vice versa. It’s infecting everything, if you’ll excuse the pun. Even opening our church feels that way. Some are sick of wearing masks, so we say, “okay, you don’t have to wear to wear masks in church.” Meanwhile, that can feel like saying to anyone who cannot be vaccinated (children 12 and under and their families, for example), “you’re not welcome here.”

So what’s a Christian response?

As usual, I think Clapton is on the wrong side of history. Why do I say, “as usual?” Well, check out the infamous racist rant from old Slowhand, where he made his feelings about immigrants pretty clear. He claims that was then, this is now, and that it was really in response to “the Arab invasion [into Britain in the 1970s].” But how do you justify that kind of language by saying it’s a response to Arab immigration (while you term it an “invasion”)?

I have a big problem with this kind of xenophobia. I read the above passage from Leviticus as unequivocal. We are supposed to treat immigrants better. I have incorporated that sense into my faith DNA. It’s a part of me.

And what about the music? If you love Clapton’s songs, all this can be quite painful. Should you listen to music by someone with reprehensible views? Richard Wagner is probably the most celebrated anti-semite in history. The Nazi Party in Germany adopted his music and celebrated his contributions. Pieces like the “Flight of the Valkyries” are permanently etched into our collective psyche. Meanwhile, the debate about whether they should be or not rages on.

As with many issues of faith, you must choose your path

Part of being a responsible Christian means living your faith values. I make choices to listen to music that lifts me up and I seek songs that inspire me. Some may agree with my choices. Others may not. But each artist should be weighed on their merits. For me, that also includes their values. It’s not about “cancel culture.” It’s about what I can stand. I know my choices will reflect on me in some way, and I take responsibility for them.

I’m leaving Mr. Clapton behind. I just don’t need him anymore. But if you still do, that’s your business. Of course, I never really cared for his music the way some do. For me, he peaked very early, back when he was in Cream. Furthermore, you’ll be reasonable to say that we shouldn’t be looking to rock musicians for moral instruction. Maybe they need our witness even more than we need theirs. Bottom line for me? Make a conscious choice that is in harmony with your own faith values.