Millions of Christians watched the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, expecting to see an exciting display of art and entertainment that they could watch with their families. Instead, they witnessed an offensive display of hedonistic mockery under the guise of inclusion.
I was hesitant to write concerning this event because I know that writing about offense will cause some who read to be offended. However, it is not my intention to offend, to seem judgmental or to be accusatory. My intention is only to encourage those who may have been offended to continue to allow the light of clarity to shine brighter, and to shine not only on others, but also upon ourselves.
On the opening night, in what was called an attempt to display inclusion, the world was exposed to a blending of the celebration of the Roman festival of Bacchus, the Greco-Roman god of wine, freedom, intoxication and ecstasy, which was based on the Greek god, Dionysus. This display should not have surprised anyone considering the actual history of the Olympics having its roots within Greek culture. However, in the name of inclusivity, the display blended and blurred the festival of Bacchus with a representation of “The Last Supper,” painted by Leonardo da Vinci. This purposeful blending of inclusion offended those Christians watching the opening ceremony.
By the next morning, the media, especially social media, was buzzing with comments, accusations and cries of “blasphemy” and “Christian persecution.” While I understand the reason for offense, I also believe that Bible believers are constantly under attack—in the media and in the world of politics—by those who reject our faith in their attempt for some utopian idea of inclusion, which seems to include everyone except those who hold to biblical beliefs and values. I have to say: This level of outrage by those who call themselves Christians did somewhat surprise me.
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It surprised me first, because the Olympics were never a Christian event; the Games were from their foundation a hedonistic display of humanity. Second, because da Vinci’s “Last Supper” in fact was a blending of Roman/Italian culture and Jewish culture in the same way the Olympic display was.
Think about the painting. The Last Supper takes place in broad daylight, not at night as the Bible says. The participants, including Yeshua (Jesus), are sitting on chairs, not reclining on the floor during their meal, even though the Bible says to eat it while reclining. If you look at the table, you will see loaves of leavened bread placed prominently there, while Passover is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. I won’t continue to list the many other ways da Vinci blended Catholic/Gentile culture with Jewish culture in his painting.
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