Opinion: If Religious Zeal Inhibits Art We Are All Poorer

THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
By Gabriella Coslovich

Back to Back Theatre's play Lord Ganesh Versus the
Third Reich has come under fire from those who have not even seen it.
Photo: Jeff Busby

AUSTRALIA - Ganesh is this show's hero, but its creators are being painted as villains. I certainly didn't predict the ruckus that would be provoked by Geelong-based Back to Back Theatre's latest festival production, "Ganesh Versus the Third Reich." Having neither read the script nor seen the show, Nevada's self-proclaimed ''Hindu statesman'', Rajan Zed, issued a statement declaring that the ''Lord Ganesh was meant to be worshipped in temples and home shrines and not to be made a laughing stock on theatre stages.'' The Lord Ganesh is never treated irreverently - he is the hero of the play within the play. But it remains disconcerting that some religious people feel it is their right to sabotage creativity and censor thought. [link]