INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.—For many years, pastor Sean Keeley and his fiancée had wanted to see Shen Yun Performing Arts. They finally did so this year at the Clowes Memorial Hall, Butler Arts Center on March 4.

“The skill, the intricate weaving between the costumes and the movement and utilization of technology and ancient forms of dance … is just brilliant,” said Mr. Keeley.

As a pastor, Mr. Keeley shared how he felt about differences in spiritual belief seeing Shen Yun.

“I think there’s a lot that can be understood about acceptance and tolerance; while there can be a discrepancy about what we believe is true, but the ability to treat people with respect and dignity should not be unique to anyone.”

“I know about Christians that have been persecuted in similar ways, so I am glad to see it brought out,” said Mr. Keeley.

Learning about the ongoing persecution in China, Mr. Keeley was able to recognize that the wrongs of the regime do not define China.

“Sometimes people see something wrong in a country and then condemn the country,” said Mr. Keeley. “I don’t see that here. I see the country being celebrated while seeing something in that country that needs to be changed and people need to fight for [those] changes.”

“I like that there is a separation of understanding that because something is wrong somewhere, [it] doesn’t make the place bad. You’re celebrating Chinese culture that has been alive for many generations and showing the beauty of that.”

“I believe we are all created in the image of God and as such there is beauty that God gives us to display His glory and I think that although I believe differently, I can see God’s glory that can be illustrated by the amazing skill and passion of the show.”