Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., has consistently had her name in the news since her 2016 election. Her progressive political views and anti-Trump stance have earned the former Somalian refugee a place as the darling of liberals. This week, however, she faces a wave of negative publicity after a failed attempt to school Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla, on the Bible, reports Fox News.
The debacle began when Rubio joined other Republicans in criticizing Georgia Senate candidate and pastor Raphael Warnock for 2011 comments that included, “America, nobody can serve God and the military.”
Rubio wrote on Twitter, “Not shocked #Georgia Democrat Senate Candidate Raphael Warnock said “You cannot serve God and the military” at the same time,” adding a comment about the beliefs of the “radicals who control the Democratic Party.”
Not shocked #Georgia Democrat Senate candidate Raphael Warnock said “You cannot serve God and the military” at the same time. These & even crazier things is what the radicals who control the Democratic party’s activist & small dollar donor base believepic.twitter.com/bQyBuKLwjb
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) November 18, 2020
In response, Omar posted a verse from the book of Matthew, misspelling “Matthew” and adding her own interpretation of the Gospel passage.
Mathews 6:24
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and dmoney.”
The lies and smears of the GOP have no boundaries, but this is a disgrace and shameful. https://t.co/1G6OhsL2B5
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) November 18, 2020
But Omar wasn’t finished. A follow-up tweet reads, “as a Muslim I know that @ReverendWarnock is quoting scripture in his sermon, so I am sure Rubio does too, but he is willing to lie and make mockery of himself.”
The verse to which Omar referred says, “No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Most exegetes see this as a commentary on priorities, with no visible or implied reference to military service.
Rubio has apparently declined to engage in further debate, but that didn’t stop others from commenting on Omar’s gaffe. In response to the social media discussion, one commenter tweeted, “The day I listen to Ilhan Omar for bible exegesis is the day I return my theology degree.”
The day I listen to Ilhan Omar for bible exegesis is the day I return my theology degree.
— Seth Ewoldt (@EwoldtSeth) November 18, 2020
Others had equally disparaging words:
The Book of Chris Matthews. https://t.co/2v3xHbje6n
— Noam Blum (@neontaster) November 18, 2020
First word of the tweet and she misspells the first book of the New Testament as “Mathews.” https://t.co/2aGVzoBwnt
— Students For Trump (@TrumpStudents) November 18, 2020
One Twitter user even added to the commentary with “I love the book of “Mathews.” The book of Marx is good, too!”
I love the book of “Mathews.” The book of Marx is good, too!
— J.T. Melton (@JTMelton_) November 18, 2020