Hey, Coyote: Haven't seen the commercial, but on balance, I can't see a good reason to ban it. All churches should be inclusive, and perhaps the only gripe I'd have with the commercial if I saw it is the implication that other churches turn away blacks, latinos and gays. That kinda strike me like the staments that "they" do this, whithout ever being able to figure out just who "they" are. Rioght of hand, I can't think of a church I've attended in my life that would turn away blacks or latinos or gays. The four churches I attend on as regular a basis as you can attend four churches are mainstream Baptist... three are primarily black congregations and the fourth is mostly white, with a reasonable balance of blacks. Many of the Lutheran and Baptist churches I've been a member of over my life have had gay members, and there is a gay couple who sing in the Male Chorus at the black church where I am currently a member.

As a general rule, I think it's better to concentrate on what you're doing positive. I commend your church for its openness. Is it necessary to generalize in a negative way about other churches in order to get your message across? I realize that there are individual churches (and certainly members of almost every church) who are prejudiced and unwelcoming. But, I tend to get nervous about negative generalities...

Just my respectful opinion..

Jerry