Sign of the Times: Why 'Jesus' Was Temporarily Removed from Easter Message - CBN News Emily Jones

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Sign of the Times: Why 'Jesus' Was Temporarily Removed from Easter Message

03-19-2018

CBN News Emily Jones

A church in New South Wales was forced to remove the word "Jesus" from its Easter signs at a local shopping center out of fear non-Christians would be offended by the word.

Elim Church paid to display a sign that read "The Greatness of His Power - Jesus is Alive" at the Erina Fair shopping center. However, church leaders were shocked when they were told by the shopping center's management company Lendlease that the word "Jesus" could not be included on the sign, even though it was advertising an Easter event.

Instead, the church had to change the sign from "Jesus" to "Christ."  Lendlease told Pastor Martin Duffy the word "Jesus" could have offended non-Christian shoppers.

"The phrase 'Jesus is alive'... is the core message of the Duffy told 2GB Radio. "I think there's a minority group out there that are constantly distorting the message of Jesus Christ. It's just going on and on."

Lendlease has since changed its mind and will allow the word "Jesus" on the sign as previously requested by the church.

'It was an error of judgment to ask Elim Church to change its messaging, and we apologise unreservedly," a Lendlease spokesperson told Daily Mail.

'Lendlease values diversity and inclusion, and we welcome people of all backgrounds at our shopping centres.'

CBN News has reached out to Elim Church and Lendlease and has yet to hear back.