'Jesus Is Lord' Ads Causing Stir In Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4 - Some advertisements that have been on bus benches for three years are now under scrutiny in the City of Colorado Springs.
The ads read "Jesus is Lord" along with the name of the church that placed the advertising, Charis Christian Center.
"I asked them why we could no longer use the name of Jesus. They said because, 'If you use the name of Jesus we must allow hate messaging,'" said Charis Christian Center Pastor Lawson Perdue.
The Mountain Metro Transit said a recent complaint put the advertising policy under review.
The organization released this statement regarding the advertising: "The City of Colorado Springs is carefully reviewing the advertising policies of Mountain Metro Transit in light of the advertising by Pastor Lawson Perdue of the Charis Christian Center. The City takes First Amendment issues very seriously, and strives to fully comply with Constitutional Law. This commitment requires that advertisements and policies are regularly reviewed for content and legality. Mountain Metro Transit recognizes that it acted hastily in asking Pastor Perdue to change his messaging. The city attorney's office is working diligently to ensure that the advertising policies comply with the law. During this review, no action will be taken and Mountain Metro Transit will continue Pastor Perdue's advertisement as they currently appear."
Lawson said he was told he could use the name of his church, just not the name Jesus. He plans to fight the policy. All of the ads remain on display.
