Madonna’s Fake Concert Crucifixion Angers Religious Leaders In Rome

Religious leaders from different faiths have lashed out over the singer’s plans to stage a crucifixion during her concert in Rome on Sunday. The show will happen at the Olympic Stadium, which is about three kilometres away from the Vatican.

This, of course, isn’t the first time the Material Girl has inspired ire with her artistic expressions.

Her hit Like a Virgin raised eyebrows in 1984 and her sexy performance of the song during a stop in Toronto for her Blond Ambition tour got police hot under the collar and they threatened to arrest her and charge her with indecent exposure.

Her erotic coffee table book Sex got people talking in 1992 and her video for her song Erotica, which displayed her apparent appetite for sexual role-playing, was deemed too hot for regular rotation on music video stations.

And the Queen of Pop’s video for her song Like A Prayer angered religious groups with its use of Catholic iconography and burning crosses.
 
In her latest attempt to ruffle feathers Madonna appears crucified on a mirrored cross while wearing a crown of thorns during concerts of her Confessions world tour.

Catholic leaders say this is simply a publicity stunt in bad taste, especially so close to the Vatican, and that this is just a tactless tactic to attract publicity.

The Catholic League of the United States expressed anger over the act in May after Madonna performed in California and the group described the fake crucifixion as “Christ-bashing” and “pathetic”.

Muslim and Jewish leaders in Italy have also criticized the stage show.

But the controversy doesn’t seem to be affecting ticket sales in Rome – there were only about 100 left by Thursday.

“Madonna does not think Jesus would be mad at her, as his teaching of loving thy neighbor and tolerance is Madonna’s message as well,” the singer’s spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg said in a statement. “The context of Madonna’s performance on the crucifix is not negative nor disrespectful toward the church.”

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