Madonna: Mock-crucifixion was 'misinterpreted'

Madonna has spoken out about criticisms of her mock-crucifixion sequence that forms part of her Confessions world tour.The Material Girl has been slammed by various religious groups who branded the performance as 'blasphemous'.However, Madge said there had been 'many misinterpretations' over the routine, which sees her, wearing a crown of thorns, suspended on a giant cross.Speaking yesterday after concluding the Japan leg of her world tour, the 48-year-old star insisted that her show was not 'anti-Christian, sacrilegious or blasphemous'. The queen of pop explained that it was hoped that this part of her show could highlight the plight of children who are dying in Africa.In Madonna's words, it was designed to be a 'plea to the audience to encourage mankind to help one another and to see the world as a unified whole'. And in a statement likely to infuriate some religious leaders Madge added: 'I believe in my heart that if Jesus were alive today he would be doing the same thing.'Despite rumours that American network NBC might cut the offending scene from its broadcast of her show in November, the Confessions tour continues to break records.It has become the biggest ever grossing tour by a female performer, Billboard magazine reports, explaining that income from ticket sales has surpassed the £101 million mark.