Jesus scarecrow moved by Christian Godmanchester woman who created it
After an international outcry, a Godmanchester, England woman made some changes to her Jesus Christ scarecrow, and took it off of a lamppost near a cemetery.
Radka Shaw and her children made the figure for the town's annual Scarecrow Festival, whose theme this year is musicals. She claimed that the scarecrow represented the famed play "Jesus Christ Superstar."
The 10-foot tall scarecrow featured Jesus on a cross with his arms outstretched, and a crown of thorns on his head.
Many found the portrayal offensive.
"For me, Jesus as a scarecrow is just disrespectful," Sarah Kate Fairclough wrote on Godmanchester's Facebook page. "I was horrified when I came home earlier.
"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."
However, some commenters defended the scarecrow.
"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?" Amanda Last asked.
Shaw issued a statement stating that she is a Christian, and denied that she meant any offense.
"I made the scarecrow with the intention of joining in with the community spirit," she wrote. "There was never any intention to upset or offend anyone. I am still at a loss to understand all the commotion and discussion about it."
She also told Facebook commenters that "He will resurrect somewhere else."
The scarecrow has been moved to a fence near Shaw's home. The cross and crown of thorns have also been removed.
Godmanchester Scarecrow Festival organizer Mary Stokes said that it was unfortunate that the festival was drawing negative attention because of the Jesus Christ scarecrow.
"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," she said, according to Cambridge News.
"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."
