Posted on 09/22/2006 9:44:49 AM PDT by SirLinksalot
NBC will blink over Madonna stunt
Family group sees cancellation of crucifixion performance
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: September 22, 2006 1:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2006 WorldNetDaily.com
Madonna's Confessions Tour stunt
NBC is going to blink in its standoff with Christians over its decision to broadcast a "Confessions Tour" crucifixion stunt performed by Madonna, according to an organization that has been campaigning against the program.
"NBC does not want a fight with AFA and the Christian community," American Family Association chairman Donald E. Wildmon said yesterday. "NBC may wiggle and wobble, but in the final analysis, they will not show that scene.
"We expect a public announcement from NBC canceling the scene within two weeks," he said.
A report in the New York Daily News said that a disagreement was developing between the performer and the network over the issue.
"The material girl may have a falling out with the Peacock network," the report said. "It seems that creative differences over a controversial crucifixion scene in Madonna's current tour could spell the end for NBC's long-planned special on her concert."
That special, which was filmed earlier this year in Wembley, England, was to have been aired in the U.S. on NBC in November, officials said earlier.
The scene features Madonna hanging on a cross wearing a fake crown of thorns, and the performer has said she considers it the highlight of her current tour. NBC Entertainment executive Kevin Reilly earlier confirmed the network reviewed it and "didn't see it as being inappropriate."
"However, his opinion changed quickly after NBC came under tremendous pressure from American Family Association and its supporters to cancel broadcasting of Madonna's blasphemous actions," AFA, a pro-family advocacy group with more than two million supporters, said.
The network told the Daily News that it was awaiting the special, and when it arrives, a "final decision" will be made.
Randy Sharp, who heads special projects for AFA, told WND the group is confident of the outcome of the dispute.
"Here's what we think is going to happen. NBC is going to say, 'We can't show it.'" Then, he said, Madonna with withdraw.
As WND reported earlier, Christians in Africa, the United Kingdom, Europe, Russia and Australia already have been offended by that part of her world-wide tour.
Just a few days ago, Wildmon had written NBC Chairman Robert Wright asking him to cancel the scheduled airing.
He noted Madonna in 1989 had a video that also mocked the crucifixion, for a song "Like A Prayer." That featured burning crosses, "statues crying blood and Madonna representing Jesus freeing a saint from his sexual repression by seducing him," Wildmon wrote.
The National Clergy Council also asked NBC not to broadcast what President Rev. Rob Schenck called an "obnoxious spectacle."
The group represents church leaders of Catholic, Evangelical, Orthodox and Protestant traditions.
"By sponsoring Madonnas mockery of Christ, NBC will insult the majority of Americans and millions more around the globe," he said. "I must wonder if NBC would approve of Madonnas mocking a major event in the life of Mohammed?
You don't know what Wildman has threatened to do to the networks.
In addition, a network cannot have it's license pulled. They are not regulated. They could have on the air stations at risk that they own, but the network is out of the picture. So the Senators can rattle sabers, but essentially they are toothless.
I agree. However such an argument only goes so far. Its orgs like the AFA that keep TV from getting completely out of hand. With free speech comes accountability. Christians don't tend to make much fuss over the hundreds of insults directed at them on TV each week, but they will stand up when they feel a TV station has gone too far. My only concern is that they do it in a legit way, instead of the way the Libs do it.
Why all the drama? Drama gets people talking.
Good, I think that's the correct way to go about it.
I agree with you; the AFA is getting more and more involved in stuff like that, and after a bit, nobody is going to pay attention.
The American public is getting fed up with this trash on TV; let NBC give the waiver; let the whole world see what trash they are willing to put on.
Amen! Move to the head of the class, friend!
The dixie chicks and madonna should tour together so they can 1/2 fill a theatre.
Bump to that!
Madonna better get herself fixed with a lightining rod.
A wise man's heart is at his RIGHT hand; but a fool's heart at his LEFT. Ecc 10:2
I've never understood the "pressure" interest groups put on TV networks. I've never understood the rationale for such actions. It's free publicity for the network and show, for one.
Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, a far more effective tool would simply to be "just not watch". As a Catholic myself, I had never planned, ever, to watch Madonna crucify herself, either live or on television. So why write letters about it to the network? Cries of "censorship" and "fundamentalism" will be hurled, and the performance that ultimately is stupid, will be hailed by those (who would have watched it anyway) supporting it; trumpeted as an "act of bravery for free speech".
It gives the opponents to Christianity even more leverage, IOW. Simply ignore it, and it will "go away". Remember where Scripture says "Resist the devil and he will flee"? "Resistance" is not always an offensive action. Sometimes, it's simply paying no heed to his evil antics.
Maybe Madonna should switch (from Catholicism, to Kaballah, and now ...) to Islam and commemorate one of their traditional symbols ...
The beheading.
Madonna who? Oh, you mean the person who published all those pornographic pictures of herself a decade or so ago. That's certainly a person we want our children to emulate. NBC should get a clue. . . does anyone watch networks (sleeze and sleeze minus) anymore? I know of noone of any age who watches anything but live sports. Fictional shows are disgusting and news is fiction.
Hahahahahahahah! That is rich. LOLLOLLOL!!!
Of course they wouldn't want to apporve of the mocking of the life of "the prophet" PSBUH(pig slime be upon him). That would risk the "outrage" of the great religion of peace, AKA ROPO, religion of perpetual outrage. Oh, and they also might cut your head off with a dull sword.
Of course not. What I would like to see however, is Madonna do just that. Lets see if she will stand by her convictions of artistic freedom, and do an act pretending to be a six year old bride seducing a pedophile prophet.
They're gonna start doing the same thing to rock and roll again. Yet they always avoid rap...
?? You mean, wheat from the Chaffe
That never works. Our "freedom" was built on a foundation of moral decency and societal laws taken from God's laws. This resulted in a nation of maximum freedom. If we allow that foundation to crumble, then so does the freedom built upon it. We have a duty to uphold moral decency, it is after all OUR country. You can't have freedom without laws and a moral standard to uphold it.
Ahem.
Notice there are no (serious as far as I know) Christians talking about cutting off her head in response to her antics...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.