Drag queens re-enacting a Leonardo da Vinci painting portraying Jesus and his disciples at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics sparked outrage on social media on Friday. Last Supper. The controversy quickly made the word “Christians” the second most talked about topic on X (formerly Twitter), behind “Olympics,” and slightly ahead of the third-place topic, “The Last Supper.”
In the scene, which aired briefly on NBC primetime but in its entirety on the live world feed, drag queens stand behind a table depicting Jesus and his disciples, then a few minutes later, dancers sashay provocatively down a runway in front of the table, eliciting cheers of applause.
This sparked backlash from all quarters, including politicians, sports commentators and religious leaders.
“God is not mocked,” ESPN’s Jimmy Dykes wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
God is not mocked…
— Jimmy Dykes (@CoachJimmyDykes) July 27, 2024
Skillet frontman John Cooper wrote on Instagram: Said The ritual was a “mockery of Christianity.”“
“The 2024 Olympics are mocking the Lord Jesus.“ Pastor Ted Traylor of Olive Baptist Church in Florida wrote:
The 2024 Olympics are mocking the Lord Jesus. Worse than the Awakened One! https://t.co/FuqsKD6wrn
— Ted Traylor (@tedtraylor) July 26, 2024
“Not only are Christians the only people for whom it is socially acceptable to be ridiculed, but when ridicule does occur, it is celebrated and put at the forefront.“ Shane Pruitt, director of Next Generation Evangelism for the North American Mission Board, writes: “Remember the words of Jesus: ‘If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you.John 15:18).” “
Drag queens mocked Christianity at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics by attempting to recreate Da Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper.”
Not only is it socially acceptable for Christians to ridicule, but ridicule is actually celebrated and promoted… pic.twitter.com/xgwYz0It0x
— Shane Pruitt (@shane_pruitt78) July 26, 2024
Lyne Putman, a professor of theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, writes: “‘Why are the nations raging, and the peoples plotting vain schemes? The kings of the earth rise up, and the rulers conspire against the Lord and against his anointed.Psalm 2:1-2)”
“Why are the nations outraged?
Will the people’s conspiracies be in vain?
The kings of the earth will rise,
And the rulers conspire
to the Lord and to his anointed” (Psalm 2:1-2). pic.twitter.com/zQEyMhs0JC— Rhyne Putman (@rhyneputman) July 26, 2024
Senator Marco Rubio also quoted the Bible, writing: “‘In the end times there will be scoffers who will live according to their own desires in rebellion against God.‘ Jude 1:18.”
“Imagine the outcry if the Olympics mocked Muhammad in the same way they mock our God.“ “I am heartbroken by the senseless hatred of someone who would do something like this,” Live Action founder and president Lila Rose wrote.“
“And now they are openly mocking Christians at the 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony.“ Kristen Waggoner, president of the Alliance Defending Freedom, wrote: “There are billions of Christians around the world. Christians competing in the Olympics. This kind of mockery is sickening.”
And now they are openly mocking Christians at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics.
There are billions of Christians around the world, including some who compete in the Olympics.
This ridicule is unpleasant.
pic.twitter.com/KgbeajyRpx— Kristen Waggoner (@KWaggonerADF) July 26, 2024
“To mock a global ancient religion in a World Ancient Game is a surprising choice, Christianity aside.“ I have written Glenn Packiam, senior pastor of Rock Harbor Church in California;
Others pointed to history, noting that there was great opposition to Christianity during the French Revolution.
“France was the first Catholic kingdom in Europe. Church Eldest daughter,” “ Radio host Chris Rossini writes, “In 1789, a momentous revolution took place in France, and today, in France, for the whole world to see, the war against God continues.”
Photo credit: ©X/Shane Pruitt
Michael Faust He has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years, and his work has appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star and Knoxville News Sentinel.
