A college student in the United States has expressed surprise and distress after discovering that her course textbook described Christianity as a “U.S.-based white supremacist group."

The textbook, International Public Relations: Negotiating Culture, Identity, and Power, was published in 2007 by Thomas Gaither of Elon University and Patricia Curtin of the University of Oregon.

Kelbie Murphy, a Christian student at the University of North Georgia, purchased the assigned textbook for $100 (around £75) for her International Public Relations course.

In Chapter 8, the opening passage reads: “An internet search produces the following modifier for identity: corporate, sexual, digital, public, racial, national, brand, and even Christian (a U.S.-based white supremacist group).”

Speaking to Fox News Digital, Murphy said: “It listed several marginalized groups, but then only called Christians to be white supremacists. The scariest thing is that the book was written in 2007.”

Murphy, who was baptized in March, added that she doesn’t want people "who don’t know who Jesus is or who don’t know what Christianity is to take this and run with this and see Christians as a U.S.-based white supremacist group."

After Murphy posted a video about the issue in September, which quickly went viral, the university issued a statement saying the reference "was not describing Christians or Christianity."

“After fully reviewing the concern, we want to be clear: the reference in question was not describing Christians or Christianity. The passage refers to an extremist group that misuses Christian symbols to promote hate," they said.

Murphy’s TikTok video has received nearly 150,000 likes. She said the university contacted her after the video gained attention and apologized for any offense caused, after she voiced concerns about being “canceled."