Filipino Christian youth protest Lady Gaga

Members of a religious group give thumbs-down signs as they shout "Stop Lady Gaga Concert" during a march towards the venue of the pop diva's upcoming concert, on Saturday, May 19, 2012 in suburban Pasay, south of Manila, Philippines. They said they were offended by her music and videos, in particular her song "Judas," which they say mocks Jesus Christ. / AP Photo/Pat Roque

(AP) MANILA, Philippines - Christian young people in the Philippines protested Saturday against upcoming concerts by Lady Gaga despite organizers' assurances that her performances would not threaten morality.

About 200 Christian youths marched in Manila for a second straight day, holding placards urging the pop singer to "respect our faith, stop the blasphemy."

The Biblemode Youth Philippines members plan to hold a vigil starting Sunday near the concert venue. They said they are offended by Lady Gaga's music, particularly her song "Judas," which they said mocks Jesus Christ.

Authorities in the conservative, majority Roman Catholic country approved the concerts, set for Monday and Tuesday, but said they won't allow nudity or lewd acts.

Sold-out crowds and angry protests have followed Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" Asian tour.

Fans younger than 18 were banned from concerts in South Korea over complaints her lyrics and costumes were too provocative, and she was denied a concert permit in Indonesia by police under pressure from Islamic hard-liners.

Lady Gaga's Indonesia gig yanked; protesters say she'll corrupt children
Lady Gaga performs South Korea show amid protests

Riot police stopped Saturday's marchers about a half-mile away from the concert venue. Phalanxes of security guards stood on alert in front of the arena.

"She declared a distorted view toward Jesus Christ and for us Biblical Christians it is offensive," said Ruben Abante, a protest leader. "Her music and everything about her is different from what our values are."

Organizers from Ovation Productions said they respect the beliefs of critics but promised that the performances "will not pose a threat to their sense of morality and conduct."

Under Philippine law, people who offend race or religion can be sentenced to up to six years in prison, although no one has been convicted recently.

[Reality_Chex]

If Lady Ga Ga is a threat to Christianity, then Christianity must be a weak and fragile religion, in itself!

[randomites]

I was particularly moved by the sign that reads, "Huwag Tayong Magpaka Gaga!"
That's tellin' her.

[Transatlantique]

The Filipinos are mimicking the western persecution of people via Christianity. If they are "happy and they know it" they should "clap their hands," and leave others alone.

[pammmmmm]

Wow your racist aren't you Im sure that they can make up their own minds about the gaga!

[pammmmmm]

Well slownewsday... da whey dat he tinks thet the filapinos cent mak there one mynds up bout hoo thay wont to fallo withoot do wistirn infloons :)

[nfission]

Of course, humans crucify what they don't understand. Ignorance is a cancer.

[imnho]

I think that lady Gaga's music is boring. That being the case I do not go to her concerts or by her music. She does have the right to entertain those people who have different taste in music. If her music offends you then don't go to her concert and your problem is solved.

[hypnotoad72]

I just love reading simplistic theories.

Just like the ones that state "self-regulation works" and "trickle down economics raises prosperity to all because the wealth trickles down".

[audemus]

Part of the problem here, is that they label people with serious religious convictions as "critics", and these people are much more than that....

[signseeker1717]

"Criticism" USED To mean analysis, and to a cerain degree it still does (literary critics, movie critics, music critics, stc.)

But in the vernacular it has come to refer to a solely negative activity. People who protest, find fault or object to something are now routinely called "critics", REGARDLESS of motivation.

They may be "much more" than critics, but by poular definition "critics" they are.

[audemus]

A principle-based protest as opposed to merely an expression of opinion is what I'm referring to here.

[CyberMurph1090]

200 protestors? In MANILLA? Really CBS? You think this is news? LAME.

[fitstshu]

200 protesting in Manila? I wonder how many on his vine have ever been there? Maybe they should be protesting against their own people.Any pervert in the world can find what they want in Manila.

[maistir]

How about a non-religious group to point out the plain old stupidity and faddish vulgarity of Gaga and her millions of followers. I'd join that group, even if it numbered only two or three. Millions of fools conned by entertainment (sic) millionaires and billionaires, I think, but the worse problem is the political influence that some allow the entertainers to have over them -- entertainers who couldn't think their way out of a paper bag.

[Transatlantique]

You only empower her when you complain. If you don't like someone, ignore them and keep it to yourself. Otherwise, you come off like a bored and frustrated human being trying to draw attention away from your own flaws by pointing a finger at someone else.

[Chinckley6]

Ps. Lady gaga has over 18 million twitter followers and over 10 million Facebook friends. You might need a bigger protest lol