IN THEORY:Madonna: an immaterial girl?

In her “Confessions” tour, pop star Madonna reportedly appears “crucified” on a mirrored cross that rises from the stage during her show as she sings “Live to Tell,” while a video counter counts to 12 million — the number of AIDS orphans in Africa. Clergy and church leaders are criticizing the crucifixion scene as blasphemy. Madonna’s representatives reportedly say she didn’t mean to offend the church, but is instead meant to convey the idea of Jesus embracing the plight of AIDS patients. What do you think of such a display?

By now, Madonna and controversy are old partners. This time around, it’s the Catholic Church that’s offended by her inconsiderate actions; in the past, the Jewish community has been confronted with her outrageous and offensive behavior — ostensibly made in the name of the holy Jewish teachings of the Kabala.

In 2002, a scantily clad Madonna recorded an anti-death-penalty music video in which she wore sacred Jewish articles and had the name of God tattooed on her arm in Hebrew. Although her main goal may have been to express her views on capital punishment, it was distasteful and insulting to use visuals offensive to the Jewish religion.

I believe it’s disingenuous for Madonna’s representatives to claim that they “didn’t mean to offend the church.” From the church’s response, it’s quite obvious that no one even bothered to call and ask what might be considered offensive — and I’m fairly confident she didn’t bother consulting a legitimate rabbi before producing her 2002 music video.

Raising public awareness of critical issues like AIDS, prejudice and human suffering is a laudable aim that should be encouraged. But at the same time, it’s important to deliver that message in a positive, universally appealing manner so that it will be accepted by as many people as possible.

Anyone committed to advancing social or political change must realize that it’s counterproductive to have more attention given to the controversy than to the core issue. And offending someone else’s religious values is usually not the best way to gain their support.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center

She dances off a stripper’s pole and rides a mechanical bull while singing “Like A Virgin.” Her dancers are subservient men in sexual bondage gear, and she mounts a giant disco cross in mock crucifixion while wearing a crown of thorns. Confusing? Surprising? Well, remember when Madonna was quoted as saying “Crucifixes are sexy because there’s a naked man on them”?

A few days ago she gave the middle finger to her German audience, inciting them to return the favor, and then had everyone echo sexual epithets about President Bush. What are we to make of citizens who tour other countries and disparage their own?

Jane Fonda is still smarting from her lack of national fidelity some years back, but here’s a current example that insults the leader of the free world and embarrasses our nation, blasphemes the creator of the whole world by marketing His cross and immorally evangelizes every venue in the world she performs. Jesus would approve?

The Material Girl is no bastion of ethics to which we should look and embrace, whatever hip charity she happens to champion. AIDS is serious business. It’s also a “sexually” transmitted disease. Our mistress of sex says she’s serious about helping those afflicted, yet she promotes its transmission from every stage. She uses the cross of Christ to punctuate her schizophrenia, yet she has an expired relationship with Christianity, and openly endorses Kabbalistic occultism.

C’mon, if I had AIDS, I’d tell her to get a life and let me try to recover mine without her weird help, thank you very much.

By the way, my very best friend died of AIDS. It was terrible, yet so readily preventable by those who spread it by their unchaste behavior. The cross is the answer, not a means.

“The cross is foolishness to those who are perishing” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM

MontroseCommunity

Church.org

The only thing that Madonna should be “confessing” is her love for center stage and the financial rewards that come with the position. The only thing the Church should absolve itself for is playing into her game.

Sure, there is some degree of blasphemy in her antics. And of course, once again it’s directed at Christianity. (It’s too dangerous to direct it to other religions.) But equally blasphemous is our obsession with her and her message. When we squander our time and life with a preoccupation of others, we lose sight of the preciousness of the moment.

In this past week we have been so preoccupied by the JonBenet Ramsay case that we’ve lost sight of the hundreds of children being killed in Lebanon and Iraq. We cannot be selective in our ability to love.

Madonna is about Madonna. Her show is not about the 12 million AIDS victims, and it cheapens the cause to believe it to be. AIDS is an epidemic that needs immediate attention from people, institutions and governments. I believe there are many organizations — churches included — that are on the center stage of the battle today. Of course it’s not enough, but, sadly, it never will be.

FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church

In His Shoes Ministries

Madonna is an unabashed exhibitionist who craves publicity the way a hungry person craves food. She pulls off such a stunt as being “crucified” because she knows both her fans and her critics will buy into it and give her what she most craves.

I commend Madonna her for her work on behalf of AIDS victims, but object to her self-glorifying efforts. Fighting AIDS in a less self-serving manner would be more helpful.

When are we going to learn not to give such people what they want? When are we going to simply start ignoring them? The sooner more people do so, the sooner we will not have to deal with such questions as the one posed today.

Unfortunately, I suspect ignoring publicity hounds will not be particularly helpful. Millions of people have embraced our celebrities to the point that they applaud such exhibitionism more so than condemning it.

Madonna is Madonna. I suppose we will have to get used to her tasteless activities — or, as I have already said, ignore her and others like her.

Is her act offensive? You bet it is. Can we do anything to stop such antics? Probably not much.

THE REV. THOMAS

E. WITHERSPOON

Unity Church of the Valley

La Crescenta

I am reminded of something Phineas T. Barnum said once: “I don’t care what you say about me. Just spell the name right.”

I think that is the attitude that lies behind Madonna’s crucifixion act. As many others have pointed out, she is outstanding at marketing herself. I feel that the bigger issue is one of sensitivity. Maybe a part of her history of choosing religious symbols to portray in her concerts and videos is an effort to work out her past struggles with the Christian faith of her upbringing.

But her lack of sensitivity is appalling.

Yes, we in America have 1st Amendment rights, and freedom of speech has been used to cover a myriad of offensive statements and actions but just because we have a “right” to say or do something doesn’t mean that it is the best choice to say or do.

To be sensitive about how our actions or words might be experienced by others is to live out of a sense of love for others. Paul says “All things are lawful but not all things build up.” (1 Corinthians 10:23) Later he says, and I’m paraphrasing, that if he is the most amazing person around but doesn’t have love for others then he is nothing.

I believe that Madonna’s example is just one of many across the political and theological spectrum that boasts the attitude of saying and doing what “I” want. A little forbearance would be good for all of us. Some call it political correctness, I call it sensitivity and kindness.

GALEN GOBEN

Foothill Christian Church

La Crescenta

The cross is one of the most powerful and recognized symbols in the world. It’s not surprising that people use it as a means of artistic and editorial expression.

Of course the tragedy of 12 million AIDS orphans breaks our Lord’s heart, and it should move us to compassionate action in His name. The Bible tells us that “pure and undefiled religion” is “to visit orphans and widows in their distress.” I commend Madonna’s use of her public following in an attempt to ease the suffering of so many people.

Her use of the cross, however, and in particular the placing of herself on it, is unfortunate and ill-advised.

For those who lightly esteem the message of the cross, it’s no big deal. “The word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Jesus Christ is the only One worthy enough to pay for the sins of the world by giving His life on the cross. So naturally His followers take exception to the depiction of anyone else on it.

PASTOR JON BARTA

Valley Baptist Church

Burbank