Olympic Opening Ceremony (scrrenshot)
CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – Every two years, for the summer and winter Olympics, we’re all encouraged to follow and cheer for sports we know nothing about. I couldn’t tell you the first thing about ski jumping or figure skating for the winter games. I know nothing about the best beach volleyballers or the elite water polo players. I suppose if they wear the American flag on their uniform, my jingoism is supposed to kick in and I’m supposed to chant “U-S-A, U-S-A” at the top of my lungs – or else one of those blood-doping Russians might win.
I’ve thought for years that the opening and closing ceremonies border on ridiculousness. Aside from the athletes parading in behind their flags, the big choreographed event are more like a Cirque du Soleil performance than anything to do with sport.
But this year, the choreographers of the opening ceremony chose to offend rather than celebrate. They created a scene that mimics the Last Supper using drag queens. The character at the center of the table, in the Christ position, was a fat women wearing a blue sequined dress, simulating the breaking of bread.
The organizers of the opening ceremony say the scene was intended as a demonstration of tolerance. Ah, I get it now. I’m supposed to tolerate my religion being debased. So why not a scene were a cow is slaughtered? Well, that would be offensive to Hindus. Why not Moses eating a ham sandwich? Offensive to Jews. Why not an image of Muhhmaed? We know, Muslims – who now make up 40-percent of the population in Paris – would riot. But mocking the Christian sacrament of Holy Communion is not only acceptable, it is celebrated. On that night Christ told the apostles that bread, broken, is His body – given for you. Wine, the new covenant in Christ’s blood, is poured out for the forgiveness of sin. These holy acts are now paraded around as a punchline before the world.
No, Olympics, I have no interest whatsoever in your games. If this is what the world chooses to celebrate, leave me out.
Chris Conley
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