Olympic Ceremony Sparks Global Outrage: 'Last Supper' Segment at Paris Games Draws Fire for Perceived Disrespect to Christianity

The segment in question featured a nearly nude French actor, Philip Catherine, playing the role of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and fertility. The scene was meant to promote inclusivity and acceptance of different genders and sexual identities, but some viewers took offense to it, seeing it as a blasphemous portrayal of the Last Supper.

US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was among those who expressed outrage over the segment, tweeting that it was "shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world who watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games." He added that the "war on our faith and traditional values knows no bounds today," but reassured his followers that "truth and virtue will always prevail."

Other users on Weibo, China's version of Twitter, also weighed in on the controversy. @漆园隐吏在巴黎 (Ink Garden Hidden Officer in Paris) wrote, "Some people like to say 'we can't compromise on the majority's interests for the sake of the minority,' but shouldn't we also consider the opposite: 'we can't compromise on the minority's interests for the sake of the majority'?" The user seemed to be arguing that while the ceremony's intention was to promote inclusivity, it ultimately ended up offending a large number of people.

Another user, @攀谈攀谈 (Chatting and Chatting), wrote, "Equality is equality, not seeking special treatment." This user appeared to be suggesting that the ceremony's attempts to promote inclusivity had gone too far and had become a form of special treatment for certain groups.

Despite the backlash, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reported that the opening ceremony received widespread acclaim, with 88% of global viewers giving it a positive rating. The IOC also stated that 76% of viewers considered it one of the most memorable opening ceremonies in Olympic history.

However, not everyone was convinced by the IOC's numbers. @九派新闻 (Nine Party News) wrote, "The IOC is trying to whitewash the controversy, but the facts speak for themselves." This user seemed to be implying that the IOC was attempting to downplay the negative reaction to the ceremony.

In response to the criticism, the Paris Olympics organizing committee issued an apology, stating that they had not intended to offend any religious groups. The ceremony's director, Thomas Joly, also denied that the segment was meant to mock the Last Supper, but rather to promote inclusivity and acceptance.

As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how it will impact the rest of the Olympics. While some have called for greater sensitivity and respect towards different cultures and religions, others have defended the ceremony as a celebration of diversity and inclusivity. Ultimately, the debate surrounding the opening ceremony serves as a reminder that the Olympics are about more than just sports – they are also a reflection of the values and cultural norms of the host country.