Point Well Taken

What’s it like to be a faithful Jew in a country dominated by Christians? Indeed, what’s it like to be a faithful Christian in a culture overrun with materialism and amorality?

These thoughts come to mind after a recent protest by Rabbi Jacob Izakson of Spokane’s Temple Beth Shalom. He objects that the Spokane Symphony again scheduled a concert on Yom Kippur, holiest day of the Jewish calendar.

In essence, Izakson seeks respect for his faith, even if it’s awkward. How refreshing. Popular culture always has been relentless in its pressure to conform. Yet religious institutions risk their identity, their prophetic relevance and the wisdom of the ages if they place political and cultural popularity ahead of faithfulness.

As an experiment, read the Ten Commandments and ask yourself: Would society be healthier if people obeyed them, or if it continued to hold them in derision?

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = John Webster/For the editorial board