CBS, NBC Reject Church Ad

[Jonbo298]

CLEVELAND - A liberal-leaning church said CBS and NBC rejected a national spot because it alludes to condemnation of gay relationships by some churches.

The 30-second spot launched Wednesday highlights the Cleveland-based United Church of Christ's welcoming stance toward gays and anyone else who might feel shunned elsewhere.

The networks said the spot was too controversial to broadcast because it implied exclusion of gay and lesbian couples by other groups, according to the UCC.

A CBS spokesman said gay relationships were a matter of public debate and "we have a long policy of not accepting advocacy advertising." Messages seeking comment were left Wednesday at NBC's New York and West Coast offices.

The ad was accepted by ABC Family, AMC, BET, Discovery and TBS, among others, the church said.

The ad, part of a 3 1/2-week, $1.7 million campaign, shows a muscular bouncer working a rope line outside a nameless church and deciding who is eligible to enter and worship.

"No, step aside, please," he says to two men holding hands.

Across the screen comes the message, "Jesus didn't turn people away. Neither do we." The final scene shows two women embracing.

"We're doing it because we made a discovery: There are lots of people out there who don't know we exist," said Ron Buford, who is coordinating the program for the 1.3 million-member denomination, down from 1.7 million in 1989.

The UCC has 6,000 congregations.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...ch_advertising

Too many words to say. But I'll keep it short. Sad, very sad and shame to CBS and NBC.