cmotherofpirl Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 Madonna battles rabbi over 'silly sally' comment Columnist Shmuley Boteach responds to pop queen's retort -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: June 3, 2004 1:00 a.m. Eastern -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © 2004 WorldNetDaily.com Madonna ready for a fight Waging a cultural battle with pop star Madonna, WorldNetDaily columnist Rabbi Shmuley Boteach has responded to the entertainer's reaction to his labeling her a "silly sally" and a "vulgarian." The war of words began when Boteach wrote a column for the Jerusalem Post urging Phillip Berg, the head of the Kabbalah Center, to removed Madonna from her role as the spokesperson for the religious movement. "Earth to Phillip Berg: Do us all a favor and dump Madonna as your principal spokesperson," Boteach wrote. "Sorry to be so crass, but Madonna is a silly sally. Yes, she may sing, and she may dance. But she is famous for being a silly sally. And no religion dare have a silly sally as its principal representative." Continued Boteach: "[I]s the Kabbalah Center really so desperate that it is prepared to promote itself through a vulgarian whose main contribution to the culture is porn rock?" According to a report in MSNBC, Madonn'a spokeswoman, Liz Rosenberg, shot back: "I find Rabbi Boteach's comments regarding Madonna frightening. His vile attacks on her character and as an artist are staggering for someone who professes to be a religious person. ... I suggest this man take a look at his own character and what problems he may have that would make him feel that he should make statements about a truly beautiful human being that he does not know in the slightest. ... "Madonna's relationship with the Kabbalah and her commitment to (their) teachings has been a beautiful experience for her and the fact that Madonna wants to share her lessons ... is yet another example of her truly generous and loving spirit." Boteach continued the dialogue yesterday, issuing the following statement: For two decades, Madonna has been allowed to destroy the female recording industry by erasing the line that separates music from pornography. Before Madonna it was possible for women more famous for their voices than their cleavage, like the beautiful Ella Fitzgerald, to emerge as music superstars. But in the post-Madonna universe, even highly original performers like Janet Jackson now feel the pressure to expose their bodies on national TV in order sell albums. This in turn has spawned the lascivious careers of Madonna copycats like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. How tragic that 60 years after feminism rightly demanded that women cease being treated as the lecherous man's plaything and instead be accorded the dignity of an equally intelligent and dignified member of society, Madonna has been allowed to undo so much of that progress with barely a whimper of protest. But while it is unbecoming of responsible feminist leaders not to speak out at Madonna's wholesale vulgarization of the female image, it would be downright scandalous for Jewish religious leaders not to object to Madonna being promoted as the foremost practitioner of Judaism in the world. Judaism and Kabbalah are, above all else, moral disciplines that demand a striving for moral excellence. Stripping on stage and calling oneself a Kabbalist are mutually exclusive. For Madonna to put herself forward as a spiritual spokesperson while continuing to degrade women by simulating sex acts at music concerts, portray full nudity in her movies, and to ridicule lesbians by performing same-sex kisses merely for TV ratings, is a mockery of her claims to a life of spiritual renewal based on the teachings of the Kabbalah. Women like Liz Rosenberg especially, who have greatly distinguished themselves professionally through their brains rather than their busts, should be at the forefront of criticizing Madonna's assault on feminine dignity. Kabbalah is a spiritual movement rooted in Jewish mysticism that recently has become popular with Hollywood celebrities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeenaBobba Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 Good for Boteach for speaking out about Madonna and her fascination with pop religion. I mean, I don't want to make it seem like I'm doubting Madonna's sincerity, but how could someone represent something when they do things that go against what it teaches? Is lesbian kissing and Catholic statue groping something that the Jewish religion stands for? Of course not! Imagine having Christina Aguilera as the spokesperson for Catholicism? Over my dead body! God bless, Jennifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luthien Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 ....Well, go to know someone can say it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Huether Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 ditto. I'm happy for this Rabbi. I truly hope that what he says touches someone. May God bless his efforts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeraMaria Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 [quote name='BeenaBobba' date='Jun 3 2004, 12:12 PM'] Good for Boteach for speaking out about Madonna and her fascination with pop religion. I mean, I don't want to make it seem like I'm doubting Madonna's sincerity, but how could someone represent something when they do things that go against what it teaches? Is lesbian kissing and Catholic statue groping something that the Jewish religion stands for? Of course not! Imagine having Christina Aguilera as the spokesperson for Catholicism? Over my dead body! God bless, Jennifer [/quote] agreed I was surprised that Madonna is a "spokesperson of a religious movement" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovechrist Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 [quote name='BeenaBobba' date='Jun 3 2004, 11:12 AM'] Imagine having Christina Aguilera as the spokesperson for Catholicism? Over my dead body! [/quote] let's hope that never happens... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luthien Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 When Hell freezes over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musturde Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 lol the censoring made the article unable to be taken seriously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azaelia Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 Madonna makes me sick :ill: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Wednesday Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 Madonna IS a silly sally. I think practically the whole world is waiting for her to just get over herself and come back to the Church, what she loathes and yet seems to long for at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crusader1234 Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 I personally think its funny too. 1) Catholic Madonna who was wild 2) Madonna loses ties with Catholocism and loses a Pepsi contract too 3) Maddona is Atheist 4) Madonna is Buddhist 5) Maddona is a member of a [color=red][edit for language][/color] and mysticized Kabbalah movement She changes her faith around way too much. I mean, challenge your faith and all that, but quit being so enthusiastic about it when your only going to switch a year later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs. Bro. Adam Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 [quote name='Luthien' date='Jun 3 2004, 02:04 PM'] When Hell freezes over. [/quote] Actually, it freezes over every winter. [url="http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&countryid=250&addtohistory=&searchtab=address&searchtype=address&address=&city=Hell+Gate&state=NY&zipcode=&search=++Search++"]At least it's gate does....[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 [quote] Actually, it freezes over every winter. At least it's gate does.... [/quote] I have seen hell. It's a lovely little town called Valentine on the Nebraska/South Dakota boundary. It's hell because it's just...too...country...bumpkiny...argh! They call dinner "supper"...ARGH! Country bumpkins! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theculturewarrior Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 One of the last acceptable prejudices is against rural and southern people. That doesn't speak well for you, Raphael. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted June 3, 2004 Share Posted June 3, 2004 [quote] One of the last acceptable prejudices is against rural and southern people. That doesn't speak well for you, Raphael.[/quote] I'm sorry, I thought it was obvious that I was kidding. I need to go cry and eat a gallon of ice cream because nobody understands me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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