HAMILTON TWP. — Controversy over a church's plan for a “Hell House” display that depicts damnation for a gay man who died of AIDS prompted a Christian radio station Friday to pull the church's ads for the youth event.

        Vern Baldwin, general manager of WNLT (104.3 FM) in Fairfield, said paid ads placed by Kings Point Church of God in Warren County will be put on hold until he has a chance to review them upon his return from Florida next week.

        Reached in Fort Myers on vacation, Mr. Baldwin said that he had not heard the ads, but acted after questions were raised about their content. The radio spots were running three times a day.

        The station's decision came days after Stonewall Cincinnati, a gay rights organization, criticized the church's radio ads and the event, which will run for two weekends beginning next Friday.

        Doreen Cudnik, Stonewall executive director, said she thought the ad — which encourages people to “Come see the funeral of a homosexual AIDS patient” — was “blatant gay bashing.”

        Mr. Baldwin said he was not bowing to pressure from Stonewall because the group had not contacted the station.

        “We're not out to offend anyone. We're not necessarily pulling the ads because of (Stonewall). I don't know them,” Mr. Baldwin said.

        “I guess if you had some relative die of AIDS, it could be offensive. I doesn't mean that (the church's) motives were meant to be offensive.”

        The Rev. Randy Ballard, pastor of the church at 5600 S. Ohio 48, said Friday afternoon that WNLT had not contacted him about pulling the ads.

        “We never anticipated this at all — not that we are even considering backing down,” he said. “But, it is a surprising response. It certainly was not our motive to offend anyone. But we know the truth offends a lot of people, so why shouldn't this church?”

        The Hell House event is meant to show teens the “effects of sin,” the Rev. Ballard said. It involves a 10- to 20-minute tour through five scenes in hell, including the funeral of a gay man who has died of AIDS; a young woman who has had an abortion (complete with a fake fetus in a jar); a teen who has committed suicide; a drug overdose at a party; and a car crash involving a drunken father and his children. The tour ends in a scene of heaven.

        Ms. Cudnik said she has received several calls from WNLT listeners who think the ad is inappropriate.

        “To single out a homosexual and say this person is dying of AIDS and is going to burn in hell is blatant gay-bashing. It's wrong and it's offensive,” she said.

        The Rev. Mr. Ballard countered, “We are not saying all homosexuals with AIDS die in hell. We are showing the effects of sin — what happens when, in a hypothetical situation, a homosexual has AIDS and dies and has not repented their sins.”

        Ms. Cudnik said Stonewall will attempt to place “counter-ads” with WNLT featuring other church leaders speaking of their acceptance of gays and people with alternative lifestyles.

        Mr. Baldwin was noncommittal, saying the station would have to review any ads and has discretion on what it accepts.

       Cindi Andrews contributed to this report.

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