Britain's Digital Cinema Media Bans Lord's Prayer Ad
Movie theaters in Britain are refusing to air an advertisement from the Church of England featuring the Lord's Prayer over concerns it could be offensive.
The 60-second ad, which shows people from all walks of life praying the Lord's Prayer, was set to air before screenings of the new Star Wars film, which opens Dec. 18.
The British film classification and advertising agencies approved it for airing, but Digital Cinema Media, which handles ads for major film chains in Britain, turned it down.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby told The Mail on Sunday people should be "deeply saddened" by the decision.
"I find it extraordinary that cinemas rule that it is inappropriate for an advert on prayer to be shown in the week before Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ," Welby said. "Billions of people across the world pray this prayer on a daily basis."
"I think they would be astonished and deeply saddened by this decision, especially in the light of the terrorist attack in Paris where many people have found comfort and solace in prayer," he said. "This advert is about as 'offensive' as a carol service on Christmas Day."
