1 September 2006

AMSTERDAM — Dutch Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner has said he will impose no extra monitoring or restrictions on Madonna's concerts in Amsterdam.

Conservative Christian party SGP called on Donner to act because Madonna's Confessions tour features the song "Live to Tell". During it she hangs from a giant cross and wears a crown of thorns.

Her use of the Christian symbolism has caused outrage in other countries during the tour. Madonna is in Amsterdam's ArenA stadium on 3 and 4 September.

Although he will not intervene, Donner said it was "understandable Christians felt offended" by Madonna cross routine. "It is a reprehensible method of drawing attention at the expense of the feelings of a great many other people," the Christian Democrat politician said.

SGP expressed disappointment Donner did not see a possibility of banning the Crucifixion routine. "The SGP youth regrets freedom of speech is considered to be so holy that insulting the Son Of God is covered by this freedom." The youth wing intends to lay a complaint of blasphemy after the concerts.  

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]

Subject: Dutch news, Madonna