Dutch Politicians criticize depiction of Christianity at Olympics opening ceremony

Christianity was "ridiculed" by the depiction of Jesus' Last Supper in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, according to some Dutch politicians. "So ridiculing Christianity is okay, but if I publish some Mohammed cartoons, the left will call it sacrilege, and radical imams will issue fatwas," according to PVV leader Geert Wilders. According to him, double standards are being applied.

So mocking Christianity is ok but when I publish some Muhammad cartoons the left cries blasphemy and radical imams issue fatwas. Double standards of the worst kind. #OlympicGames #Olympic2024 pic.twitter.com/PFgFHfUOGV

— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) July 27, 2024

Wilders had previously spoken out against the "woke nonsense" at the ceremony, at which drag queens also performed. The reference to the Last Supper, which has many well-known satires in pop culture, was also performed by drag queens.

The allusion to the important biblical scene - the most famous depiction of which is Leonardo da Vinci's mural - desecrates a sacred moment, Christian Union MP Don Ceder said on X, linking it to the persecution of Christians. The politician spoke of a "kick against the most persecuted group of people on earth." Christians are being murdered, unjustly imprisoned, raped, kidnapped, hunted, and expelled in many parts of the world simply because they are Christians". Ceder described the moment as "cowardly" and "also not inclusive and not innovative at all." According to Ceder, Christians look at the Olympic Games as a sign of unity and solidarity, "but in return they experience alienation and ridicule of the organization," he wrote on X.

Een aantal gedachten over de openingsceremonie van de Olympische Spelen 2024

Ik snap het. Ik kan mij best voorstellen dat de creative director van de openingsceremonie van de Olympische Spelen in Parijs dacht: ‘laten we op het wereldtoneel laten zien hoe gewaagd en moedig we wel… pic.twitter.com/gpZgfpxnub

— Don Ceder (@DonCeder) July 27, 2024

Like Wilders, VVD MP Ulysse Ellian also draws the comparison with criticism of Islam. "Whether you like it or not, the essence of freedom of expression is that you are allowed to make fun of someone else's religion, and fortunately, taste is debatable," said the VVD MP on X. "The point is, of course, that you don't dare to do this with Mohammed or the Koran because then the world would literally be too small."

Leuk of niet, de essentie van vrijheid van expressie is dat je andermans religie belachelijk mag maken en over smaak valt gelukkig te twisten.

Punt is natuurlijk wel dat men dit niet durft te doen met Mohammed of de Koran want dan was de wereld letterlijk te klein geweest... pic.twitter.com/mMqL3OJc4T

— Ulysse Ellian (@UlysseEllian) July 27, 2024

The Catholic Church also expressed criticism. The head of the ceremony, Thomas Jolly, said that the intention was never to "offend" but rather to be inclusive. "In France, people are free to love how they want, to love who they want, to believe or not to believe," Jolly continued.

Although many viewers recognized the Last Supper, the organizers of the games mentioned another element in a tweet on Friday night: the Greek god Dionysus, who was responsible for wine and civilization, among other things. The actor who played him, Philippe Katerine, responded laconically to BFMTV: "Without controversy, there would be no fun. Wouldn't it be boring if everyone on the planet agreed?"