After her music video for “Judas” leaked this morning, making Lady Gaga none too happy (she lashed out via a since-deleted tweet), it’s been officially posted ahead of schedule. So much for tonight’s E! News exclusive unveiling.

Well before a single still of the “Judas” video appeared, religious groups were incensed after word spread that Gaga had cast herself in the clip as Mary Magdalene. Think they’ll take kindly to Jesus and his apostles being portrayed as a biker gang, or Gaga bathing with the J-Men?

Such thorny issues are unlikely to present themselves as full-throated outrage, as all the biblical imagery in the video (and there’s enough of it) isn’t all that controversial (tying the “Judas kiss” to a lipstick gun?). For her part, Gaga says the clip isn’t meant to be a religious statement or biblical lesson, but a socio-cultural statement. Yet I know I’ve seen a more interesting appropriation of Christian iconography in pop music before, but, like, a prayer can’t take me there at the moment.

Fans of AMC’s zombie series The Walking Dead might recognize Norman Reedus, who plays the titular character in the “Judas” video.

Lady Gaga’s Born This Way album is out May 23, available in original and special edition flavors.

Purchase Lady Gaga – “Judas” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.