Catholic League: Minaj's Grammy set "vulgar"

Nicki Minaj performs during the 54th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 12, 2012 in Los Angeles

/ AP Photo/Matt Sayles

While the audience was mixed on whether or not to applaud or boo Nicki Minaj's Grammy performance, there's one group who was definitely not pleased with her efforts. The Catholic League felt that the rapper's set was meant to make fun of Catholics -- and even mockingly proposed the possibility that Minaj may have been actually possessed during the show.

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Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, questioned in an article on their official website whether The Recording Academy, who puts on the Grammys, would have allowed a performance that insults Judaism or Islam.

"It's bad enough that Catholics have to fight for their rights vis-a-vis a hostile administration in Washington without also having to fend off attacks in the entertainment industry," he wrote. "The net effect, however, will only embolden Catholics, as well as their friends in other faith communities."

For those of you who missed Minaj's bizarre Grammy appearance, here's what made Donohue and the Catholic League so angry. Not only did Minaj walk down the red carpet with a date who was dressed up like the Pope, her performance included a pre-taped odd homage to "The Exorcist." If that didn't get the point across, her limp body levitating above a demonic choir singing "Come All Ye Faithful" definitely did.

"Perhaps the most vulgar part was the sexual statement that showed a scantily clad female dancer stretching backwards while an altar boy knelt between her legs in prayer," Donohue wrote.

The Catholic League has taken issue with several other artists in the past including Lady Gaga and her video for "Judas" and Britney Spears' 2007 album art for "Blackout." They were skeptical that Madonna was an appropriate choice for this year's Super Bowl, and even spoke out against the Go-Go's website because the band members were dressed as the Virgin Mary.

Do you think the Catholic League has a right to be angry about Minaj's performance? Let us know in the comments below.

[cath1005]

shame on CBS saying catholics have been mad before CBS has been in hot water before for showing offensive Iraqi prisoner abuse ....maybe CBS think corruption is entertaining further more anyone angry needs to contact Pepsi then GM,ford,and bing there sponsers and tell them your boycotting there products and CBS the reason you don't attack Muslim and other cultures is because your scared of radicalism but this is what creates radicalism

[shellseeker44]

PUKE!

[mbvq12]

You bet I was offended and disgusted!!!

Up until that fre k came out, I was actually enjoying the show!

It was like all of a sudden, a different show came on. How was that allowed to happen???

Shame! Now, next year, I won't be watching!

[redjd6]

I am disgusted with CBS allowing this to get by their censors. After all, CBS is a public broadcast network; not a pay per view or cable special.
I thought Nicki Minja's performance was horrible not to mention extremely disrespectful to the Catholic Church.
This was Nicki's personal attempt at bringing out her alter ego and not an attempt to be entertaining. She entertained herself; something that a true artist would not do.
The class acts of Sir Paul McCartney, Tony Bennett, Taylor Swift, Foo Fighters, Jennifer Hudson, Civil War, Beach Boys, Maroon 5 and others, were entertaining.
We don't need shock value or culture shock. This is a different age and even though it is very important to maintain the freedom of speech and expression, this does not give the right for a celebrity to act bizarre and appalling to a live audience.

SHAME ON YOU CBS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[valleygirl93]

My opinion on all of this is why is it such a big freaking deal. Okay so it is okay to have movies about exoticism but someone can't make a someone skit of it. Makes no sense. If you understand what was going on you would know that she was not making fun of any religion. When you watch those exorcist movies who is the person performing the exoticism. A Catholic priest. But they weren't making fun of the Catholics. So if she was a professional actress in a movie it would be okay. Hmm..... Makes me think about who we decided to pick on and who not to pick on.

[thehngrgms]

First of all the exorcism movie was not approved by The Catholic Church. And to see a movie you make a choice and you walk into the theater. That was on public Television.

[dejahthoris2]

I wasnt offended by it at all. Lots of people have parodied the the Catholic Church and this was a ho-hum parody. I just thought it sounded like total crap. McCartney and the Beach Boys stole the show.

[annmac38]

@mtgirl65---Since when was it OK to 'make fun of God and religion?" For years people were civil enough not to argue about politics or religion. Now Minaj's type of sacrilege and freakishness is a result of the lack of decency and respect between individuals and their beliefs. Our triumph over "political correctness" has resulted in insults, name-calling and a complete breakdown in civility .

[annmac38]

@mtgirl65---Since when was it OK to 'make fun of God and religion?" For years people were civil enough not to argue about politics or religion. Now Minaj's type of sacrilege and freakishness is a result of the lack of decency and respect between individuals and their beliefs. Our triumph over "political correctness" has resulted in insults, name-calling and a complete breakdown in civility .

[ldhesq]

No, the Catholic bishops should be seen and not heard. Even their own don't hold with their extreme views. Sounds like a pity party.

[mtgirl65]

So, it's wrong to make fun or or bully all of the issues that are "politically correct", but it's okay to make fun of God and religion all you like. Do you see this hypocrisy here? We either need to be respectful of all things, or if you are going to cry freedom of speech, then you can't get after anyone disagreeing with gay rights, abortion, etc. I thought it was just plain weird anyway. Not a fan.