It seems to me that most people will have an emotional reaction to any particular piece of music, whoever the composer might be. Same with paintings and sculpture. If we find out later that the creator of the piece was in some way flawed that really doesn't prevent us from feeling pleasure at experiencing their work. If our singing that song gives pleasure to others down the years who is to say that Newton's legacy was not good.

I can see where you are coming from Steve and can understand how you might feel. I think, though, that it is necessary to divorce the circumstances of the man's life from the beauty of the words of the song, which has comforted many over the years.

I had a work colleague in the 80's who would not listen to a certain singer because he was aware that the performer was homosexual. That guy denied himself a lot of good music simply because he did not like the singer's sexual orientation. That just seemed crazy to me.