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Posted on Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 12:16 p.m.

Cult of Celebrity: Did Lady Gaga blaspheme Easter?

By Wayne Baker

0425 Lady Gaga in an earlier tour.jpg

Is Lady Gaga attacking Easter, and Christianity, in her new hit-single "Judas"?

Photo courtesy of WikiMedia Commons.

Editor's note: This post is part of a series by Dr. Baker on Our Values about core American values. This week Dr. Baker is discussing the cultural obsession with celebrities, what it means, what values it represents, and even the function it may serve.

FOX TV commentators, among others, are tossing around the term “blasphemy” to describe Lady Gaga’s release of a new single, “Judas,” at Easter. But — others dismiss Gaga as just the latest to follow in Madonna’s tracks. And — it’s possible this whole Judas-at-Easter news story is a bit of a hoax, anyway.

Confused? Intrigued? Just getting back to OurValues after a few days of vacation and wondering why I’m choosing to write about Lady Gaga again? Last week in OurValues.org, I asked readers if they knew which topics were most important to Americans, comparing web searches for “jobs” with “Lady Gaga.”

Readers were intrigued by that column. So, this week, I’m turning to the values behind our “cult of celebrity.” Today, we’re starting with Gaga (real name Stefani Germanotta, born 1986) and the flap over the weekend about her new “Judas” single.

Was “Judas” somehow timed to coincide with Easter? At least the YouTube version was released on April 15 and had racked up 10 million viewers by the time FOX News commentators — among others — reported the news and claimed it was a slap at Easter. Perhaps it had nothing to do with Easter; or perhaps it really was a Holy Week slap.

One thing is certain: As usual, Lady Gaga’s song is sexually provocative and includes lines such as, “I’m just a holy fool, oh baby he’s so cruel. But I’m still in love with Judas, baby.” Later in the song, she sings, “Jesus is my virtue; Judas is the demon I cling to.” There are more suggestive lines in the song. Perhaps you’re among the millions who already have heard it?

Who is complaining? Some of the loudest criticism comes from long-time conservative watchdog, Bill Donohue of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights in New York City. Bill became a celebrity himself, a few years ago, for defending Mel Gibson’s movie about Jesus’ crucifixion.

Donohue presents himself as an all-around watchdog for traditional Christian values. In the past, he has tackled hit TV shows from South Park to CSI when he didn’t like their depictions of religious values. He even criticized President George W. Bush one year for sending out White House “holiday” cards at Christmas.

Here are excerpts of what Bill said about Gaga via FOX:

“This is a girl who gets dressed up as a nun to get raped, who swallows the rosary, who has been dissing Catholics on and off! … She’s another of these ex-Catholic girls who has a problem with her old religion. … I’m a little fed up with it. If she has a problem with religion, go pick on the Muslims and see how they handle it. … The girl has some real talent. … If you have real artistic presence and ability, why do you have to go there? …. It’s not going to corrupt kids. It’s not going to tear down the Catholic church, but it’s at the point where I want to say: Time out! I want to hold up a stop sign.”

As we begin our week on the Cult of Celebrity, how do you sort out these issues?
Do you sometimes want to hold up a stop sign?
Do you see a Donohue-style watchdog as helpful? Or not?
Are you a Lady Gaga fan? What do you make of her?

Please, comment below.

Dr. Wayne E. Baker is a sociologist on the faculty of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Baker blogs daily at Our Values and can be reached at ourvaluesproject@gmail.com or on Facebook.

Comments

W. Vida

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 10:23 a.m.

I think it is rather spineless to take shots at Christianity. There are a other things she could do that would be truly brave: 1) She could take shots at something that is accepted within her own circle of friends and fans. For example, she could go against something that is sacred within liberal Manhattan. In fact, coming out as a devout Christian would probably do the trick - that would be brave. Or.... 2) If she were to take a shot at Islam (maybe dress up like Muhammad or something) that might be stupid and intolerant toward people of faith (equally stupid to dressing up like a naked nun) but we could at least say it was brave (because of the physical threat that would surely follow). There is no danger to taking shots at Christianity. Her circle of friends are fine with it. Her fans (for the most part) are ok with it. No one will try to kill her.

W. Vida

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 8:55 p.m.

Garrett, Jesus never indicated a separation with the rest of the Bible (for example he did not come to abolish the law but fulfill it - Mat 5:17). Further, I could turn that around and ask you, what did Jesus say that makes you think he in any way represents a liberal? David, I would say that you are probably partially right. Jesus had a way of offending everyone so certainly there would be some tea partiers who would be offended by him (maybe not to the point of wanting to kill him though). But I don't think that Jesus would oppose their free market ideals because those are biblical ideals. And I don't think he would oppose their social conservatism because that is quite biblical as well. He might offend their patriotism though.

Garrett

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 5:18 p.m.

Not sure I care what 'The Bible" says. I'm more concerned with what Jesus himself said. Please quote me where Jesus says ANYTHING about a free-market, that helping the poor is a choice, that abortion is wrong, that the death penalty is okay, that war is okay... Because I can quote you what he said if you need.

David Briegel

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 3:58 p.m.

If Jesus returned today he would be crucified by TeaPublican Conservatives!

W. Vida

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 2:27 p.m.

Jesus was not a liberal. The bible encourages caring for the poor and sharing resources.....*freely*. Jesus and the apostles never advocate the government taking money by force for these activities. The economic model of the bible is economic freedom (free markets). On social issues, the Bible is clearly conservative on sexual ethics and abortion. There is no sense in which Jesus was a liberal.

Garrett

Thu, Apr 28, 2011 : 12:48 p.m.

Jesus was a liberal.

Craig Lounsbury

Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 9 p.m.

Here is a link to an M-tv article in which Lady Gaga talks about the song and the video. For what its worth I don't see her as having &quot;evil intent&quot; <a href="http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1662707/lady-gaga-judas-music-video.jhtml" rel='nofollow'>http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1662707/lady-gaga-judas-music-video.jhtml</a>

Craig Lounsbury

Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 9 p.m.

and to add....I go to church most every Sunday.

jtwilkins

Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 7:45 p.m.

You should write for theonion.com

lugemachine

Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 6:39 p.m.

Almost as bad as creating an oversized candy-filled-basket-distributing anthropomorphic rabbit to symbolize the holiday commemorating the savior's ascendence into heaven.

Macabre Sunset

Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 6:25 p.m.

People in glass cults shouldn't throw stones.

Carl

Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 5:42 p.m.

How pointless. Also FYI the song had to come out early because it was leaked online, it wasn't planned to be released near Easter in the first place. Maybe the people who leaked it were against Easter though? Could you please investigate their motives.

tom swift jr.

Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 5:28 p.m.

This is really a non-issue... art is art, if it offends you, if you don't like it, don't look at it/listen to it/smell it/taste it.

Jojo B

Wed, Apr 27, 2011 : 5:25 p.m.

*yawn* I have studied religion and culture for many years now and all I can say is don't go out of your way to get offended. It's a waste of your time.