Southern Baptist Convention Condemns IOC’s Olympic Opening Ceremony as “Deeply Disturbing”

The Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) has expressed strong disapproval of the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, which it described as “deeply disturbing.” The event, held on July 26, 2024, featured a scene that included a French lesbian DJ named Barbara Butch, who was portrayed in a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.” In this depiction, Butch was positioned as Jesus, surrounded by drag performers and transvestite men, which many Christian observers found offensive.

In a letter to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach, ERLC president Brent Leatherwood condemned the imagery, stating it was an attempt to mock Christianity and marginalize believers. He noted that the ceremony, intended to promote global unity, instead became a platform for ridicule. Leatherwood expressed dismay that such content reached billions of viewers worldwide, including families gathered to watch the Olympic Games.

The ceremony also included a bearded drag queen, exposed male genitalia, and a depiction of a pagan Greco-Roman god, Dionysius, associated with orgiastic rituals. These elements, along with the portrayal of Butch, sparked widespread controversy among Christians. Leatherwood highlighted that he had previously raised concerns about the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022, particularly regarding the alleged downplaying of the Chinese Communist Party’s treatment of the Uighur Muslim minority.

The incident has drawn criticism from various quarters, including prominent figures like billionaire Elon Musk. In response, Paris 2024 spokesman Anne Deschamps stated that there was “clearly never any intention to disrespect any religious group.” However, the ERLC and other Christian leaders argue that the imagery was perceived as a deliberate affront to religious beliefs.

Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the ceremony, defended the presentation, stating his intent was to convey a “message of love, a message of inclusion.” Despite these assurances, the Southern Baptist Convention and its affiliated organizations continue to express their concerns over the perceived disrespect toward Christian values and the broader implications of such imagery in a global event meant to foster unity.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)