California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) probably thinks it is pretty clever to strip one verse out of the Bible to slap on pro-abortion billboards.
In a couple of tweets, the California governor’s account tagged Republican governors and revealed billboards would be going up in “7 of the most restrictive anti-abortion states.”
Newsom said the billboards would “explain how women can access care–no matter where they live. To any woman seeking an abortion in these anti-freedom states: CA will defend your right to make decisions about your own health.”
Some billboards had short and basic messages such as, “Texas does not own your body. You do.”
“Learn more at abortion.CA.gov,” it added.
@GregAbbott_TX this will be launching in your state today. pic.twitter.com/mpFdtlAO4o
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 15, 2022
You can argue it is offensive for Newsom’s campaign to put up those billboards in other states, or a waste of money. You can even argue that it is morally wrong.
But those billboards are far less ghoulish than the ones designed for Mississippi and Oklahoma.
Those billboards stated, “Need an abortion? California is ready to help.”
And then, in a sick twist, in italic letters, the billboards included the verse Mark 12:31, which reads, “Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment than these.”
@GovStitt this will be going up in your state. pic.twitter.com/snPcTIZaPv
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 15, 2022
On a basic level, there is something quite obviously missing here. While the verse implies there are multiple commandments, the billboards only include one.
To get a fuller picture, you need to include verses 29 and 30, which state that the most important commandment is, “‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’” Then comes Mark 12:31.
There are some Christians who believe abortion is acceptable. But for those who believe it is wrong and murder, they understand you cannot fulfill the first commandment in this section of the scripture while violating the commandment prohibiting murder. Likewise, you cannot love your neighbor by allowing them to sin — or even supporting it.
Loving your neighbor is not simply smiling and patting someone on the back and supporting them in whatever they do.
The billboards understandably drew a lot of strong reactions:
One pastor responded, “This is satanic.”
https://twitter.com/FrHilderbrand/status/1572685209568694273
Meanwhile, Catholic Answers wrote, “Imagining the devil in his advertising office at the top of the highest skyscraper in hell giggling to himself as [Newsom] uses Jesus’ own words to support killing babies.”
Imagining the devil in his advertising office at the top of the highest skyscraper in hell giggling to himself as @GavinNewsom uses Jesus’ own words to support killing babies pic.twitter.com/pMo5qa1WmS
— Catholic Answers (@catholiccom) September 21, 2022
Check out some of the other reactions below:
Unbelievable! Isn’t killing your closest neighbor the exact opposite of the verse he cites from Jesus about loving your neighbor as yourself? https://t.co/ghmvjI1rKN
— Josh S. Clark 🇺🇸 (@JoshClarkGA) September 23, 2022
This is a disgusting use of scripture. https://t.co/5zAD1DPjf9
— Chris Crawford (@CrawfordStuff) September 21, 2022
"Good Catholic" @GavinNewsom is now using Bible scriptures to encourage women to come to California to abort their babies. A truly shameful display.
— David Giglio (@DavidGiglioCA) September 15, 2022
Meanwhile, in CA crime continues to skyrocket, the cost of living is out of control, and the state can't even keep the lights on. https://t.co/lfpuGRSwDG
STOP SPENDING MY MONEY TO PROMOTE KILLING BABIES https://t.co/WDxWh6FojC
— Jennifer Van Laar (@jenvanlaar) September 15, 2022
Using Bible scripture to promote killing babies tourism. Abhorrent and evil, @GavinNewsom! https://t.co/4VM5BT6PWz
— Buzz Patterson (@BuzzPatterson) September 15, 2022
Hard to imagine anything more vile than using a Bible verse to advocate for killing children.
— Hunter Estes (@realHunterEstes) September 15, 2022
Mississippi will pray for California. https://t.co/FHodKjciRp
It is one thing if Newsom and his campaign want to pay for billboards advocating for abortion access.
But don’t use a Bible verse poorly taken out of context to promote access to abortion. That’s twisted.