OWENSBORO, Ky. (AP) — A large, lighted cross displayed over Owensboro every Christmas season for four decades won't be on view this year.

Texas Gas Transmission decided not to put up the cross, which is more than 50 feet high and 30 feet wide. Texas Gas president H. Dean Jones II said the cross is a religious symbol that isn't accepted by everyone and the company didn't want to alienate people of other faiths.

"I want all employees and visitors to feel welcome in our building," Jones said. "It's that time of year when emotions for symbols and things important to us surface."

Jeff McKeown of Pleasant Ridge, a state employee and small business owner whose wife works for Texas Gas, criticized the decision.

"I think they're caving in to public pressure to not put anything out there that brings recognition to Christ," McKeown said. "I think the world is going overboard with that."