Let me start by saying this: Seeking the divine is akin to searching for answers on a computer with a magnifying glass. It’s a flawed analogy, but it captures the essence of how perplexing religion can be. Despite being deeply involved in church for most of my life and experiencing what I believed to be genuine faith, I still find myself questioning the validity of the religion I once embraced.
On Super Bowl Sunday 2024, I was left deeply confused, perplexed, and then angry — all in that order, of course. I loved all the ads this year including Oreos, Pringles, Doritos, T-Mobile, Disney, and DoorDash. I loved all of them, except for one set of ads.
I found myself bewildered, then frustrated, by the “He Gets Us” ads sponsored by a group known as the Servant Foundation, also known as the Signatry. While many Christians easily grasped the reference to “He” as Jesus Christ, others like myself, who do not adhere to any religion, were left puzzled.
NPR provides a breakdown of this “He Gets Us” campaign:
The ads revolve around the concept that “He Gets Us,” portraying Jesus Christ as a refugee who detested hypocrisy and faced unfair judgment, much like marginalized individuals in today’s society.
One commercial uses a black and white slideshow depicting Central American migrants fleeing persecution, revealing at the end that it’s the story of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
The campaign was financed in part by the family behind Hobby Lobby, a notably religious craft store chain, and other evangelical groups like The Signatry, with some donors choosing to remain anonymous.
Despite its inclusive messaging, the campaign’s donors have connections to conservative political agendas and far-right ideologies, as noted by CNN’s AJ Willingham. Research compiled by Jacobin reveals that the Servant Foundation has donated substantial amounts to the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal group known for its efforts against LGBTQ rights and non-discrimination legislation.
Jesus didn’t condemn sinners. He never hated the LGBTQIA+ community, and in fact lifted them up in his obscure message on Eunuch’s. He stood up for women, and even talked openly with them. He touched people with diseases, like the lepers. He fed the hungry and lifted up the poor, telling them that being poor was okay, and was certainly better than being rich. He defended the innocence of children, instead of driving them away. He never once preached about abortion being a sin.
Contrary to the divisive actions of some religious organizations, Jesus’ teachings centered on love, acceptance, and compassion. Since distancing myself from organized religion, I have found solace in simply being kind to others. We call this solace, “decency,” and decency is the purest religion that one can follow.
In so many instances, Jesus is the embodiment of a person who lives their life with no cares in the world for what anybody else thinks. This is exactly what my life has been like, as of late. I haven’t looked back, because I don’t care, and I hold no regret in doing so.
As for Easter and other religious holidays, I have no need for well-wishes that don’t resonate with true happiness. These days are simply opportunities to relax without the burden of work or obligations.
Regarding the “He Gets Us” campaign, it’s a reactionary attempt to address the decline of Christianity in the United States. However, given the church’s historical prejudice towards marginalized groups, particularly the LGBTQIA+ community, many young people are increasingly disenchanted. Unless the church adapts its stance, it risks further alienating future generations.
