TEXAS, USA — If you watched Super Bowl LVIII, you might have seen the 'He Gets Us' Christian campaign commercials.
The advertisements are taking over social media after two commercials ran on Super Bowl Sunday, with some people saying those behind the campaign aren't what they seem.
In one of the commercials, people are having their feet washed, along with one woman outside a family planning clinic. It's supposed to show a directive given by Jesus, to Love Your Neighbor.
6 News asked Greg Miller, a spokesperson for the 'He Gets Us' campaign, the following questions:
Who is behind the campaign?
A newly formed charitable organization (established in 2023), Come Near, is now fully managing He Gets Us initiatives. Come Near has a growing expert-led, full-time staff and an established network of partners and supporters.
The Servant Foundation is no longer involved in management or oversight of He Gets Us.
What does this group stand for?
Come Near is committed to sharing the life and love of Jesus in thought-provoking new ways. Come Near leads all aspects of the He Gets Us movement.
Many Christians say this campaign was created by people who get Jesus the least and are doing everything antithetically to his teachings. What is your response to this?
He Gets Us was created to see if the story of Jesus could disrupt and interrupt our cultural conversation. We believe Jesus used all methods available to him to share messages of love, generosity and kindness. Our hope is to familiarize people with Jesus and show how he is not only relatable, but relevant to their lives today.
How much money was spent on the Super Bowl advertisements and explain in your words the purpose of it all. What was the campaign's intention? What do you think about the backlash?
We wanted to show that when we think more about our neighbors like Jesus did and begin to follow his example – loving all who are around us – change is possible.
The reaction to bringing Jesus into the conversation around last year’s big game was tremendous. It is clear that the American people appreciate messages of love and kindness, and our hope by returning He Gets Us to the big game this year was to connect with more and more people to see and experience Jesus’ love. The commercials you saw on Sunday kick off a year-long focus on loving your neighbors, which He Gets Us will demonstrate through service events, art, advertising and engaging content, and experiences that bring people together.
Critics of the advertisement say the welcoming message is deceptive.
Some claim it does not line up with the campaign's Christian funders, who they say have supported anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-abortion causes.
"The ads are preaching love," Rachel Laser, the President and CEO at Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said. "But the shadowy organizers are funding hate. Hate against our neighbors who are women, LGBTQ people and non-Christians. This is a typical page from the playbook of Christian nationalists in this country."
Last year, the 'He Gets Us' campaign was overseen by the Servant Foundation. This group reportedly donated millions to Alliance Defending Freedom.
"Alliance Defending Freedom has been called a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center," Laser told 6 News. "They are working hard to dial back progress towards LGBTQ equality and to institute abortion bans. Alliance Defending Freedom is the group that brought the Masterpiece Cakeshop case, the 303 Creative cases, these cases that have gone before the Supreme Court to try to allow businesses to undermine the civil rights of LGBTQ people and turn customers away. Just because of who they love. That is not loving your LGBTQ neighbors. That is treating them differently, excluding them and treating them as lesser."
The family behind Hobby Lobby also reportedly contributed to the campaign.
"They have done everything that they can to stand in the way of women's access to birth control," Laser said.
Critics like Laser hope this ad is a wake-up call.
"Every single American, and maybe more than anyone, Christians, should be concerned about this misuse of Christianity to license harm to others," Laser said.
6 News reached out to the Alliance Defending Freedom for comment. Alliance Defending Freedom SVP of Corporate Engagement Jeremy Tedesco sent 6 News the following statement: (Editor's note: The links provided to 6 News in the following statement deal with sensitive and potentially disturbing content)
Alliance Defending Freedom is among the largest and most effective legal advocacy organizations dedicated to protecting the religious freedom and free speech rights of all Americans. Our record includes 15 Supreme Court victories since 2011 and over 400 victories protecting the free speech rights of students on college campuses. The Southern Poverty Law Center is a thoroughly discredited, blatantly partisan activist outfit known for sexism, racism and condoning domestic terrorism. Their end game is tyranny, not tolerance. ADF will continue to work every day to build a society where life is cherished and protected and everyone can freely share their ideas, exercise their faith and live together peacefully despite different beliefs, opinions and backgrounds.
More from 6 News: