David Bowie is not an artist without controversy. Since the release of his first album in 1967, the sometimes androgynous performer has always possessed the ability to stir the pot, especially when the rock and roll needed it the most. One of, if not the first patron of Glam Rock, Bowie has taken music to another level that satisfied the ears as well as the other senses. unlike many of the transparent musician-songwriters of today, Bowie cannot be contained to a particular box of genre. In fact, just when you think you have him figured out, you find that he is just as much a mystery as he ever has been.

When you ponder his lengthy career, the only time that you might find Bowie without controversy is when he is absent from the music scene. Since the release of his 2003 album <em>Reality</em>, a few live endeavors and the appearance in the 2006 British film, <em>The Prestige</em>, not much has been heard from Bowie save a few occasional mentions that are usually attributed to an artist of his status. But with the release of his new album, <em>The Next Day</em>, and the accompanying video for the title track, Bowie is apparently attracting some controversial attention once again; this time from the Anglican and Catholic Church. But the question worth asking  lies in the validity of the controversy itself.

In the occasional instances that Christianity and pop culture cross paths, my interest and attention is always heightened. Although Evangelical Christianity has done is best to meld itself within the realms of post-modern culture, the success has been short-lived and in some cases destructive. The Christian concept of being <em>"in the world, but not of the world",</em> attributed from such verses as <em>John 15:19</em> and <em>Romans 12:2,</em> has become somewhat of an anomaly; not particularly appearing in either camp with much clarity. Post-Modern Evangelicalism has become somewhat of a caricature of itself, developing it's own image of culture, but not really obtaining a sustainable manner of functioning within it. ironically, it is usually from the secular that come challenging messages of faith and though provoking images of Christianity and the Church. So it is with <em>The Next Day</em>. <em>
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Whether considered controversial of not, the video for <em>The Next Day</em> is not without shocking and suggestive imagery. Upon it's release, The Catholic League attacked Bowie as being a <em>"switch-hitting, bisexual senior citizen from London" that "is strewn with characteristic excess." </em>

The League's President, Bill Donohoe, stated that "the video is strewn with characteristic excess: one priest bashes a homeless man, while others are busy hitting on women…The lyrics refer to the “priest stiff in hate” and “women dressed as men for the pleasure of that priest.” The song concludes with, “They can work with Satan while they dress with the saints.” In short, the video reflects the artist—it is a mess.
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