Tennessee Newspaper Lifts Ban on Word 'Christian'

A Gannett-owned newspaper that banned an advertisement because it contained the word "Christian" has reversed its decision and apologized following a storm of protest.

Tennessee's Knoxville News Sentinel refused to accept ad promoting a sale at the Cedar Springs Christian Stores chain because "Christian" was on its offensive words list, the Christian Post reports.

"My wife . . . was told that the ad did not go through because it had an offensive word in it. She asked what was the offensive word and the lady told her 'Christian,''' store owner Curtis McGinnis told The Post.

The newspaper was inundated with complaints from readers who called the publication anti-Christian.

The News Sentinel has apologized and is now running the ad, claiming the rejection was due to a technical "system failure."

To make amends, the ad will be published for "an extended period at no extra charge," the newspaper said.

According to Catholic Online, Publisher Patrick Birmingham told readers, "The News Sentinel does not have a bias against Christianity or any other religion."

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