While her crucifiction may have created a furore around the world, pop diva Madonna seems to think that she has done no wrong saying it was not "anti-Christian, sacrilegious or blasphemous" - but a plea to people to help one another.
Several religious groups, including the Roman Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox Church, have complained that the scene was insulting, reports ABC Online.
Madonna, in a statement made as the Confessions tour ended in Japan today, said: "There seems to be many misinterpretations about my appearance on the cross and I wanted to explain it myself once and for all.
"It is no different than a person wearing a cross or 'taking up the cross' as it says in the Bible. My performance is neither anti-Christian, sacrilegious or blasphemous. Rather, it is my plea to the audience to encourage mankind to help one another and to see the world as a unified whole."
She added, "I believe in my heart that if Jesus were alive today he would be doing the same thing."
In her statement, Madonna said the specific intent of the scene was "to bring attention to the millions of children in Africa who are dying every day (or) are living without care, without medicine and without hope. I am asking people to open their hearts and minds to get involved in whatever way they can."
{{/usCountry}}In her statement, Madonna said the specific intent of the scene was "to bring attention to the millions of children in Africa who are dying every day (or) are living without care, without medicine and without hope. I am asking people to open their hearts and minds to get involved in whatever way they can."
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