David Bowe released a new religion-themed music video for his single The Next Day and the footage may not sit well with some Christians.

The track, off of his first studio album in 10 years with the same name, has controversial religious imagery and stars Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard and Oscar-nominated actor Gary Oldman.

The video, directed by Fiona Sigismondi, opens with a priest (Oldman) punching a street beggar in the face and then entering a club, while staring at the backside of the scarcely clothed women around him. Cotillard plays a prostitute-turned-saint while Bowie dresses Christ-like in robes, while nearly-naked folks dance provocatively around him. In the background, a Cardinal deals cash and a nun prays.

The video, deemed "a bloody battle between the sacred and the profane," was banned from YouTube for "violating terms of service" just a few hours after its release on Wednesday, according to Fox News. The clip returned with an age restriction shortly after.

Musician Norman Matthew said Bowie knew that using religious imagery in his video would get people talking, and that is exactly what he wanted.

"This type of imagery in music videos going back to Madonna's Like A Prayer is so popular because it ruffles so many feathers and let's face it, controversy creates cash," he told the news station. "David Bowie wouldn't be on the lips of everyone at this very moment if he didn't break some new ground and unfortunately, flowers on the doorstep just doesn't get it done these days."

The Catholic League attacked the singer's new video on Wednesday, calling it the work of a "switch-hitting, bisexual senior citizen from London" that "is strewn with characteristic excess."

Bowie's album was released in March.

Tags: David Bowie