The Frenzy of Renown (1986)
American singer-songwriter and actress Madonna has incorporated references to religious themes and spiritual practices from various religions, including Christianity (she was raised Catholic), Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sufism, and Kabbalah. This became one of the most defining and controversial aspects of her career, with responses documented in the popular press as well as from theologians, sociologists of religion, and other scholars of religion. Madonna's onstage representations of religion, along with her performances and provocative statements, attracted institutional criticism from groups such as the Catholic Church, Orthodox rabbis, and Hindu leaders. Some individual clergy offered neutral responses. Religious adherents staged protests against Madonna numerous times, and she has been accused by critics of sacrilege, heresy, iconoclasm, and blasphemy. Her personal views on religion have been complex and evolving; while she has acknowledged the teachings and divinity of Jesus, she has expressed disagreement with organized religion, and her eclectic approach to spirituality has been publicly criticized as unorthodox. Though the phenomenon goes beyond Madonna, she received…
- Published
- 1986
- Pages
- 659
