Ellen DeGeneres commercial for J. C. Penney angers Christian group

A J. C. Penney Christmas commercial featuring openly gay talk show host Ellen DeGeneres has angered a Christian group called One Million Moms, which called for a boycott of the retailer.

“JCP has made their choice to offend a huge majority of their customers again,” the group said in a statement. “Christians must now vote with their wallets.”

“We have contacted J C Penney’s several times in the past with our concerns, and they will not listen,” the statement continued. “They have decided to ignore our complaints and so we will avoid them at all costs.”

The group -- which is affiliated with the ultraconservative American Family Assn. -- has criticized J. C. Penney several times this year for ads or commercials including lesbian or gay people.

In February, One Million Moms urged shoppers to boycott Penney’s after the company first named DeGeneres as a spokeswoman, but later dropped the campaign after several critics, including Fox News host Bill O’Reilley, attacked the group’s efforts.

A Father’s Day ad this summer depicting two dads playing with their kids prompted the group to accuse Penney’s of “promoting sin.”

On Twitter, many users were confused by the outrage.

“Ellen DeGeneres ad for J. C. Penney Co. offends customers, say Christian moms group,” one tweet said. “why? why not peace on earth folks?!”

Another tweeted: “Love the new ad with Ellen. I will continue to shop at JC Penney’s.”

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