News

German Prosecutors Prepare for Madonna

Madonna's traveling crucifixion circus is scheduled to swoop into Germany this weekend, and prosecutors in Dusseldorf are ready for her. While noting that German laws protecting freedom of artistic expression may save the controversial pop icon, prosecutorial spokesman Johannes Mocken said that his office would be keeping a close eye on the concert.

Well, not that close. The office isn't actually sending anyone to the show, but will be combing through the media reports to see whether Madonna breaks any laws by insulting religious beliefs.

Madonna doesn't see what the fuss is about, and she doesn't think the Lord and Savior would be upset, either. "I don't think Jesus would be mad at me and the message I'm trying to send," she told the New York Daily News. She further explained that the crucifixion is part of a plea for her audience to donate money to AIDS relief.

The singer's spokesman put it in plainer terms. "The context of Madonna's performance on the crucifix is not negative nor disrespectful toward the church," said Liz Rosenberg.

At the Vatican, Cardinal Ersilio Tonino disagreed slightly, calling Madonna's gimmick "a blasphemous challenge to the faith" and a "profanation to the cross." He then called for Madge to be excommunicated from the Catholic Church.

Finally, in completely uncontroversial Madonna news, the singer recently confirmed her decision to give up her acting career, saying that critics were (if you'll pardon the expression) crucifying her films before they were even finished.

--The ARTISTdirect Staff
08.16.06