Jesus On the Cross as a Scarecrow Causes an Uproar in England During Town Festival (PHOTOS) Jeannie Law Jun 25, 2014 12:04 PM EDT

People in Godmanchester are in the midst of a major uproar due to a scarecrow designed to depict Jesus on the cross.

The English town is divided over the portrayal of Jesus, by means of a scarecrow, which was erected on a main village road. The scarecrow was created to be a piece for the Godmanchester Scarecrow Festival, which runs until July 4.

This year's theme happened to be music, and reportedly the creators chose to recreate the rock opera, "Jesus Christ Superstar." The image of Christ as a scarecrow has some neighbors labeling the act as "disgusting."

According to Cambridge-News the 10 foot construction was mounted on the side of a lamppost next to London Road cemetery in Godmanchester. The debate over the scarecrow erupted after pictures of it were placed on community Facebook page, Godmanchester Living, on Sunday night.

Neighbors posted their thoughts on the matter via Facebook, one said, "For me Jesus as a scarecrow is just disrespectful. I was horrified when I came home earlier." adding, "It's absolutely disgusting and needs taking down now. If you want to be so disrespectful, put it up at your own house and not on the side of the road."

Some one else said, "Scarecrows traditionally have tended to be figures of fun, rather stupid and not to be taken seriously, and as I personally believe Jesus to be the Son of God I would not like to see this disrespected."

Another neighbor disagreed, saying, "If you go to a Roman Catholic country, their celebratory processions have lots of Jesus' and Marys - I wonder why we are uncomfortable with this?"

An atheist chimed in on the matter calling for unity, "Isn't this scarecrow competition about bringing the Godmanchester community together whilst getting us out of our homes to walk round our wonderful town?" The comment continued, "I live on the Stokes Drive estate, I am an Atheist and my wife is a Christian - this offends neither of us. I really don't understand why people think it is so offensive or disrespectful?"

Cllr Sarah Wilson, of Godmanchester Town Council, told News reporters, "This Jesus Christ scarecrow is very striking and I think partially what has upset people is where it is - on the roadside. Somebody has made it with the intention of participating for the village, sticking to the theme, and not with the intention of causing upset."

Godmanchester Scarecrow Festival organizer Mary Stokes said it should not have been placed where it was and the scarecrow has been move back onto the property of the creators.

Stokes told Cambridge-News, "We understand neighbors were concerned that it was on a public highway, and highways were also not happy it was attached to their lamp post. The festival is a bit of fun throughout town and people enjoy taking part. It is sad that this particular scarecrow has caused a problem."

Again, the English town is split by conflicting opinions on whether or not the scarecrow is in any way sacrilegious.

Click here to view photos of the scarecrow.