Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony Sparks Global Outrage
The Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony has ignited controversy worldwide, with one act in particular drawing severe backlash from social media users. Held on Saturday (AEST), the four-hour spectacle featured athletes parading down the River Seine, accompanied by various performances from dancers and musicians. However, a specific segment involving drag queens has stirred significant outrage, particularly among the Christian community.
Controversial Act
The contentious moment occurred when the broadcast shifted from the river scenes to a table of drag queens, with one centrally positioned, adorned with a crown, and standing before DJ equipment. This setup was a modern recreation of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous mural, “The Last Supper,” featuring Jesus and his twelve apostles. Social media erupted, accusing the performance of mocking Christianity and offending Catholics globally.
Reactions and Criticism
Catholic Bishop Robert Barron condemned the act, questioning the treatment of the Christian faith and comparing it to how other religions might be depicted. “They felt the right thing to do was to mock the Christian faith,” he stated. “Would they ever have dared to mock Islam in a similar way?”
AFL legend Corey McKernan and American podcaster Clint Russell also criticized the act. Russell pointed out, “There are 2.4 billion Christians on earth, and apparently the Olympics wanted to declare loudly to all of them: NOT WELCOME.”
Author Matt Walsh and NFL star Harrison Butker echoed these sentiments, with Walsh describing the act as a “demonic mockery” of Christianity. French politician Marion Marechal added her voice, stating, “It is not France that is speaking but a left-wing minority ready for any provocation.”
Further Controversy
The scene evolved with a man painted in blue, covered only by a string of flowers and fruits, said to represent the Greek God Dionysus. Viewers speculated that he was portrayed as a dish for the Last Supper, adding to the perceived mockery.
Organizers’ Defense
Organizers defended the performance, claiming it aimed to highlight the absurdity of violence between humans through humor and poetry. Despite this, the opening ceremony faced additional criticism for a pre-recorded scene hinting at a ménage à trois in France’s National Library. The Olympic Games’ official X account shared an image from this segment, quoting Victor Hugo: “The freedom to love is no less sacred than the freedom to think.”
Public Response
Presenter Beth Fisher remarked, “Only the French could squeeze a threesome into an opening ceremony.” With the Games officially underway, fans hope the sporting events will overshadow the controversial opening, which many have labeled as one of the worst in history.
Conclusion
The Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony has sparked a global conversation about cultural sensitivity and respect for religious beliefs. As the Games progress, the focus will likely shift to the athletes and their performances, but the controversy of the opening ceremony will remain a topic of discussion for some time.
