We are all accustomed to seeing sculptures of Jesus crucified on the cross… but how about asleep on a park bench?

A recently installed statue in the wealthy neighborhood of Davidson, N.C. depicting just that is raising holy heck.

There is no glistening robe, no halo, no arms stretched out to the sky above. 

This statue is a modest depiction: Jesus is huddled under a blanket laying on a park bench. Unless you look closely and see the crucifixion wounds on his feet, you could easily write him off as a typical homeless person. 

In fact, this statue is so realistic that a woman actually called the cops on this “homeless man.” 

The statue sparked controversy in the neighborhood as many call it an offensive and inaccurate depiction of Jesus.

One woman stated in reaction to the statue that,

“Jesus is not a vagrant, Jesus is not a helpless person who needs our help. We need someone who is capable of meeting our needs, not someone who is also needy.”

However, Rev. David Buck of St. Alban’s church claims that, 

“It gives authenticity to our church. This is a relatively affluent church, to be honest, and we need to be reminded ourselves that our faith expresses itself in active concern for the marginalized of society.”

Is this statue an offensive misrepresentation, or is it an accurate and refreshing depiction of prominent religious figure?