‘Show Not Blasphemous,’ Madonna Says
Rock star Madonna, slammed by Italian Catholics as blasphemous and immoral, has defended her stage show as entertaining and educational.
“I can’t stand being attacked and misunderstood here in Italy, which is my second home,” Madonna, whose father emigrated from Italy, told journalists in interviews published today during a break between concerts in Rome and Turin.
She said her stage show, which has been attacked because of its use of crucifixes, clerical garb and sexual images, was neither anti-religious nor promiscuous.
“My show is not blasphemous. On the contrary it is entertaining and educational.
“The moral is be strong, believe in freedom and in God, love yourself, understand your sexuality, have a sense of humor, masturbate, don’t judge people by their religion, color or sexual habits, love life and your family,” the 29-year-old singer said.
A news agency report reflecting the views of the Italian bishops’ conference last week attacked Madonna’s shows as an offense to good taste.
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