The Last Supper Olympic Conservatives are offended by a drag act at the opening ceremony that looked
“Last Supper” Olympics Drag Queen Performance at the Opening Ceremonies Arcs Christians’ Fury
Last Supper Olympics
Christians all throughout the world took issue with a dancing group that was part of the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony because it seemed as though they were making fun of Jesus and the Last Supper.
The customary parade of nations was part of the program, which took place on Friday along the Seine River in the French capital. For the first time in the history of the Olympics, the ceremony took place outside of a stadium.
But when a group of 18 performers, including three “Drag Race France” queens, made poses behind what appeared to be a long table with the Eiffel Tower in the background, the celebrations, which featured singers Celine Dion and Lady Gaga, sparked uproar.
A lavishly attired dancer with a silver headpiece that resembled a halo, as seen in the well-known Renaissance painting by Leonardo da Vinci of Jesus and his apostles, which was finished in 1498, stood in the center of the table. Before the dancers executed a planned performance, the dancer grinned and created a heart shape with her hands.
“This is absurd. Podcast host Clint Russell wrote on X, “Open your event by substituting men in drag for Jesus and the disciples at the Last Supper.” “Apparently the Olympics wanted to loudly declare right out of the gate NOT WELCOME to all 2.4 billion Christians on the planet.”
The Last Supper is the last dinner that Jesus had with his apostles in Jerusalem prior to his crucifixion, according to the gospel accounts. Christians celebrate the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, which serves as the scriptural foundation for the Eucharist.
The performance, according to Paris 2024 organizers, was a “interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus” meant to “awareness the absurdity of violence between human beings.”
Millions of people watched the ceremony all over the world. The Summer Games officially began on that day and will end on August 11. Less than a week has passed since Notre Dame Cathedral reopened following a fire in 2019 that destroyed much of the building’s interior and spire.
French bishops apologized for “scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we deeply deplore” in a statement released on Saturday.
The statement also said, “We are grateful to the members of other religious denominations who have shown their support.” “This morning, our thoughts are with all Christians worldwide who have suffered because of the indignation and provocative nature of some scenes. We hope people realize that celebrating the Olympics is about far more than the personal ideologies of certain musicians.
The U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis chair, Bishop Andrew Cozzens, wrote a letter urging Catholics to respond with fasting and prayer. The Last Supper, according to him, was “depicted in heinous fashion.”
Politicians in France concurred that the group and the Olympic organizers had made fun of Christianity.
Marion Marechal, a French member of the European Parliament and the granddaughter of right-wing politician Jean Marie Le-Pen, stated, “Know that it is not France that is speaking.”
The act was carried out by “a minority of the [political] left ready for any provocation,” according to Marechal, a devout Catholic.
The last dinner that Jesus Christ had with his twelve apostles prior to his crucifixion is known as “The Last Supper.” Additionally, it’s a common theme in Christian art. Da Vinci is most known for painting a scenario that shows the apostles’ response to Jesus revealing his treachery.
At a press conference on Saturday, Thomas Jolly, the opening ceremony’s artistic director, defended the production in response to questions on some of the criticism. Jolly claimed not to be aware of the criticism and that he was just trying to show “inclusion.”
“Questions are raised when we want to include everyone and not exclude anyone,” he stated during a press conference hosted by the International Olympic Committee.
“Subversiveness was not to be our topic. We had no intention of being subversive. Our topic of conversation was diversity. “Diversity calls for unity,” he said. “It was simple: we wanted to involve everyone. We enjoy artistic and creative freedom in France. France is a fortunate country to live in. I didn’t want to convey any particular messages. This is what I wanted to get across: we are a republic in France, and we have many rights, including the freedom to love whom we want and the freedom not to be worshipped.
In an Instagram post, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker referred to the image as “crazy” and cited the book Epistle to the Galatians in the New Testament, cautioning that “what a man shall sow, those also shall he reap.” During a commencement speech in May, Butker drew criticism for his perceived sexism and homophobia after telling a graduating class of college students that being a homemaker is one of the “most important” jobs a woman can have.
