Halsey applauded following a negative Christian editorial written on their new album, If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power.
An article written by Portia Berry-Kilby in The Spectator, a Christian publication, argues that Halsey’s use of religious iconography and Catholic imagery and themes should be viewed as offensive and / or on par with the cultural appropriation.
“Halsey exemplifies the contempt that today’s pop culture shows for the fundamentals of Catholicism. Yes, Jesus died for all of us. But he did not die for us so we can all release the nipple and take poses her as Her Blessed Virgin Mother, “writes Berry-Kilby.
The author also criticizes Halsey for referring to various Catholic images on her album, including in the album cover If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power. (Halsey has previously used Catholic imagery in her visuals and music videos for her 2017 album Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.)
“The blanket depicts her and a baby in a pose resembling Fouquet’s Madonna and Child, topless and all. Aside from the awe-inspiring nature of this gesture – putting yourself in the place of the Mother of God requires a certain pride – such role-playing is not, in and of itself, blasphemy in the first degree, ”says Berry-Kilby.
In response, the “I’m Not a Woman, I’m a God” singer simply responded with a photo of her in her First Communion, meaning that Halsey is or was a practicing Catholic. First Communion is usually held in the third year for children raised in the Catholic faith or anytime for those who convert to the religion later in life as adults. The ceremony is the first reception by the person of the sacrament of the Eucharist: the body (host) and the blood (wine) of Jesus.
Halsey previously stated that the image on the cover of her album was meant to represent “the dichotomy of the Virgin and the Whore. The idea of me as a sexual being and my body as a vessel and gift to my child are two concepts which can co-exist peacefully and powerfully. “
While everyone has the right to have their opinion and the subject of cultural appropriation can be complex, as someone who has been brought up in the Catholic faith with a deacon as a father and has studied religions people in college, I’m not offended by Halsey’s work.
Halsey’s album and album art are works of art that do not blaspheme Christianity; it is simply her own artistic statements to which she is entitled and which are inspired by some of the works of art of religion, which are part of secular history in some aspects (including works of art, styles, historical events, etc.).
The only thing I can tell you is that practicing Catholics and Christians would not want to waste their time criticizing art that does not directly harm or violate their religion, but rather spend that time to do good for the world, like volunteering.
