The Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony sparked controversy with a performance that looked like Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” painting. But it featured drag queens instead of Jesus and his disciples. This upset many Christians, including actress and film maker Candace Cameron Bure.
Thomas Jolly, the ceremony’s designer, claimed he was inspired by Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and fertility. But the organizers later admitted that “The Last Supper” painting did influence the show. This inconsistency added to the confusion and frustration.
Candace Cameron Bure, a devout Christian, spoke out on Instagram. In a powerful video, she said, “To watch such an incredible and wonderful event that’s going to take place over the next two weeks and see the Opening Ceremonies completely blaspheme and mock the Christian faith with their interpretation of the Last Supper was disgusting.” She expressed both sadness and anger over the performance.
Bure quoted Bible verses to explain her strong reaction. She reminded us of Galatians 6:7, which warns, “God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows, He will also reap.” She emphasized the seriousness of this issue as a believer.
Following her initial post, Bure shared a follow-up message addressing the responses she received. She wrote, “Since posting, many have tried to correct me saying it wasn’t about an interpretation of DaVinci’s The Last Supper, but a Greek god and the festival of Dionysus; who is a god of lust, insanity, religious ecstasy, ritual madness etc.” However, Bure remained unconvinced by this explanation, stating, “I still don’t see how that relates to unifying the world through competitive sports and acceptable for children to watch. In any case, I’m not buying it.”
Bure also addressed Christians who might downplay the incident. She read from Revelation 3:16 about being “lukewarm” in faith, “You’re neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I’m going to vomit you out of my mouth.” “Don’t be lukewarm” Bure said.
But Bure didn’t just voice her concerns. She also shared a message of hope, inviting non-Christians to consider faith in Jesus. She read Revelation 3:20: “See, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Bure added, “God wants your heart so badly. God loves you so much.”
Despite her disappointment with the opening ceremony, Bure said she would still watch the Olympics. She explained, “I’m going to watch the Games. I want to support our athletes. There are a lot of great Christian athletes competing as well. But I want to cheer them on, I want to see God getting the glory.”
Let’s pray for the Olympic athletes and for opportunities to share Jesus’ message. And let’s ask God to help us be strong in our faith. As Bure said, “I pray for my heart to break over what breaks God’s heart.”
WATCH: Candace Cameron Bure Expresses Outrage Over Paris Olympics ‘Blasphemous’ Ceremony
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