American Christians primed for NBC Madonna crucifixion protest

-14/10/06

Evangelical C


American Christians primed for NBC Madonna crucifixion protest

-14/10/06

Evangelical Christians in the USA are being urged by the American Family Association (AFA) to protest against the NBC network’s intended presentation of a programme in November 2006 featuring pop icon Madonna.

The outrage is the latest phase in a prolonged campaign by the religious right against Madonnaís recent tour and stage show, which features one scene with her impaled on a cross.

According to the AFA’s Action Alert: ìNBC, Madonna Set to Mock the Crucifixion of Christ.î This headline is followed by the request: ìHelp send one million emails asking NBC to show Christians the same respect they show other religions.î

But some of those receiving the AFA action-call are distinctly unimpressed by its assumptions. Writes one North West pastor: ìIím appalled beyond belief that this is what is garnering the alarm of American Christians.î

In his note to the American Family Association, he continues: ì[There are] tens of thousands of innocent civilians being slaughtered in Iraq, tens of thousands of people being raped, displaced, murdered in Darfur, unimaginable suffering in the Middle East, TV Evangelists ripping millions out of the hands of seniors citizens, all kinds of suffering supposedly in the name of Christ and Ö.what do I get all upset about…Madonna?!

Asks the pastor: ìWhere are the emails pleading with our ëChristian governmentí to stop arms shipments to Israel?î He highlights other unjust practices which are often given religious legitimation, adding: ìIf we are willing to spend five minutesÖ how about focusing our outrage on what is really breaking Godís heart.î

The pastor describes his response to AFAís anti-Madonna initiative as ìa cry of despair over the relative silence of so many Evangelicals over the unbelievable atrocities that are committed in the name of Christianity, in comparison to their reaction to the antics of some Hollywood entertainer.î

In September this year, ultraconservative Russian Orthodox organizations declared a ìholy warî against Madonna and demanded that some religiously provocative songs be pulled from her Confessions tour Moscow concert.

The singer, who is also facing controversy over her decision to adopt a Malawian child, has vigorously defended her on-stage iconography, however.

Back in June 2006, she declared: ìI don’t think Jesus would be mad at me and the message I’m trying to send.î

She added: ìJesus taught that we should love our neighbourî, noting that as she sings the ballad Live to Tell from the cross, images of third-world poverty flash on video screens, representing the 12 million children orphaned by AIDS in Africa.

A music critic told Ekklesia: “There are quite a few people who would regard Madonna’s antics as crass self-publicity, but the armies of righteously offended believers are hardly detracting from its impact. They are just making themselves look equally daft.”

In his latest book, Faith and Politics After Christendom, Jonathan Bartley from the Christian think tank Ekklesia has analysed the way some Christians are responding negatively to their loss of control and respect in society ñ suggesting that this is misplaced and counterproductive.

Ekklesia co-director Simon Barrow has also argued that the culture of censoring on the grounds of cultural offence is bad for the spiritual health of both church and society.

Commenting on the saga, US writer and commentator Johan Maurer noted: ìIf we Christians were as passionate about the mistreatment of actual human beings, including those outside the church, as we are about our symbols and the loss of our privileged place in Western society, maybe our Godward face would have more credibility in this world.î

[Also on Ekklesia: Faith and Politics After Christendom by Jonathan Bartley; Restoring our faith in free speech Simon Barrow explains why Christians should shun censorship; Rethinking hate speech, blasphemy and free expression; Get a life over Springer, say Christians; Anti-springer Christians boost showís ratings; Jesus versus Jerry? The Simon Barrow column; Christian row about Jerry Springer opera rages on; Christian Voice turns fire on Christian radio station; ‘Time for rethink of how evangelicalism presents itself’ says EA; BBC cleared over Springer Opera; Sadness and dismay at actions of religious campaigners over Jerry Springer; Christian party allies itself with extremist Springer campaigners; Bishop criticises campaigners over Springer opera protests]


American Christians primed for NBC Madonna crucifixion protest

-14/10/06

Evangelical Christians in the USA are being urged by the American Family Association (AFA) to protest against the NBC network’s intended presentation of a programme in November 2006 featuring pop icon Madonna.

The outrage is the latest phase in a prolonged campaign by the religious right against Madonnaís recent tour and stage show, which features one scene with her impaled on a cross.

According to the AFA’s Action Alert: ìNBC, Madonna Set to Mock the Crucifixion of Christ.î This headline is followed by the request: ìHelp send one million emails asking NBC to show Christians the same respect they show other religions.î

But some of those receiving the AFA action-call are distinctly unimpressed by its assumptions. Writes one North West pastor: ìIím appalled beyond belief that this is what is garnering the alarm of American Christians.î

In his note to the American Family Association, he continues: ì[There are] tens of thousands of innocent civilians being slaughtered in Iraq, tens of thousands of people being raped, displaced, murdered in Darfur, unimaginable suffering in the Middle East, TV Evangelists ripping millions out of the hands of seniors citizens, all kinds of suffering supposedly in the name of Christ and Ö.what do I get all upset about…Madonna?!

Asks the pastor: ìWhere are the emails pleading with our ëChristian governmentí to stop arms shipments to Israel?î He highlights other unjust practices which are often given religious legitimation, adding: ìIf we are willing to spend five minutesÖ how about focusing our outrage on what is really breaking Godís heart.î

The pastor describes his response to AFAís anti-Madonna initiative as ìa cry of despair over the relative silence of so many Evangelicals over the unbelievable atrocities that are committed in the name of Christianity, in comparison to their reaction to the antics of some Hollywood entertainer.î

In September this year, ultraconservative Russian Orthodox organizations declared a ìholy warî against Madonna and demanded that some religiously provocative songs be pulled from her Confessions tour Moscow concert.

The singer, who is also facing controversy over her decision to adopt a Malawian child, has vigorously defended her on-stage iconography, however.

Back in June 2006, she declared: ìI don’t think Jesus would be mad at me and the message I’m trying to send.î

She added: ìJesus taught that we should love our neighbourî, noting that as she sings the ballad Live to Tell from the cross, images of third-world poverty flash on video screens, representing the 12 million children orphaned by AIDS in Africa.

A music critic told Ekklesia: “There are quite a few people who would regard Madonna’s antics as crass self-publicity, but the armies of righteously offended believers are hardly detracting from its impact. They are just making themselves look equally daft.”

In his latest book, Faith and Politics After Christendom, Jonathan Bartley from the Christian think tank Ekklesia has analysed the way some Christians are responding negatively to their loss of control and respect in society ñ suggesting that this is misplaced and counterproductive.

Ekklesia co-director Simon Barrow has also argued that the culture of censoring on the grounds of cultural offence is bad for the spiritual health of both church and society.

Commenting on the saga, US writer and commentator Johan Maurer noted: ìIf we Christians were as passionate about the mistreatment of actual human beings, including those outside the church, as we are about our symbols and the loss of our privileged place in Western society, maybe our Godward face would have more credibility in this world.î

[Also on Ekklesia: Faith and Politics After Christendom by Jonathan Bartley; Restoring our faith in free speech Simon Barrow explains why Christians should shun censorship; Rethinking hate speech, blasphemy and free expression; Get a life over Springer, say Christians; Anti-springer Christians boost showís ratings; Jesus versus Jerry? The Simon Barrow column; Christian row about Jerry Springer opera rages on; Christian Voice turns fire on Christian radio station; ‘Time for rethink of how evangelicalism presents itself’ says EA; BBC cleared over Springer Opera; Sadness and dismay at actions of religious campaigners over Jerry Springer; Christian party allies itself with extremist Springer campaigners; Bishop criticises campaigners over Springer opera protests]