Is Lady Gaga's new song a mantra for parents? For girls?

Sometimes I read blog posts and think to myself, "Seriously? You really believe that? Seriously?"

That was my reaction when I read a mom's blog about Lady Gaga's new song "Born This Way." Just to keep you in the loop, here are the lyrics:

It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M
Just put your paws up
'Cause you were born this way, baby

My mama told me when I was young
We are all born superstars
She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir

"There's nothin' wrong with lovin' who you are"
She said, "'Cause He made you perfect, babe"
"So hold your head up, girl and you you'll go far,
Listen to me when I say"

I'm beautiful in my way,
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regret,
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
(Born this way)

Ooo, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
Baby, I was born this way
Ooo, there ain't other way
Baby, I was born this way
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be!

Give yourself prudence and love your friends
Subway kid, rejoice of truth
In the religion of the insecure
I must be myself, respect my youth

A different lover is not a sin
Believe capital H-I-M (hey, hey, hey)
I love my life, I love this record and
Mi amore vole fe yah

I'm beautiful in my way,
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't hide yourself in regret,
Just love yourself and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

While I completely disagree with this parent's idea that this song is a mantra for modern-day parents (and I could list any number of reasons why), I can't help but feel sorry for this parent and her kids.

Did I just type that? Yes, I did.

I feel sorry for her. Because she has become a victim of a culture (and the father of Lies) that tells all of us that it doesn't matter what your actions, what you choose to believe, what you adopt as your belief system or your lifestyle, it's OK. You're OK. Just love yourself for who you are. Just accept yourself and express yourself (or flaunt yourself, in Lady Gaga's case).

The problem? It's completely unbiblical. And illogical. And dangerous.

Scripture tells us that we're not OK. We're dead objects of wrath because of sin (Eph. 2:1-3). It's by the grace of God—and only by the grace of God—can we find forgiveness and be restored to the creation He intended for us to be (Eph. 2:4-10). Apart from Him, we will never find the freedom from the regret, the lies, the sin that destroys. You can't just sing it away in a song.

Taken to its logical end, the song could endorse any number of behaviors, including pedophelia, beastiality, and even murder (if I'm born with a gene predisposed to murder, then that's just who I am). Obviously, such thinking is dangerous not only on a spiritual level, but also on a social, emotional, political, and cultural level as well.

So how do we who work with teen girls deal with a song like this? With a woman like Lady Gaga who holds so much sway in the culture (she won three Grammy Awards last night, by the way)?  Do we just tell girls not to listen to her? Do we have a Gaga-bashing party?

Part of me wants to, but I know better. Giving a blanket statement to girls is like fueling a fire. Instead, we need to help them think critically, to evaluate her lifstyle, her history (which is interesting) and her music. In reference to this song, you could ask questions like:

• What is the message of this song?
  
• What are the positive elements (ha!) of this song? What are the negative elements?
  
• Do you see any truths in this song? Do you see any fallacies or myths or incorrect messages?
  
• Why do you think this song is so popular? Why do you think it resonates with people?
  
• What is the logical conclusion if you were to live like this song proclaims?
  
• Would you want your daughter to adopt this song as her life's message? Why or why not?

Stephani Germanotta (a.k.a Lady Gaga) isn't going the way of the dinosaurs any time soon. Our goal is to help girls recognize for themselves that everything she says and does isn't as stellar, stunning, or socially acceptable as it appears. We need to help them turn on the spotlight to see the flaws hidden underneath all the glitz and glam.