Crosswalk.com

Drag Queens Portraying Jesus and Disciples at Opening Ceremony Spark Outrage

Michael Foust

The Opening Ceremony at the Paris Games sparked outrage on social media Friday after featuring drag queens portraying Jesus and the disciples in a reenactment of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting The Last Supper. The controversy quickly led to the word “Christians” trending as the second most-discussed topic on X (formerly Twitter), just behind “Olympics” and a few slots ahead of the No. 3 trending topic, “Last Supper.”  

The scene, briefly broadcast on NBC Primetime but shown in full on the live world feed, depicted drag queens behind a table portraying Jesus and the disciples. Moments later, dancers pranced provocatively down a runway in front of the table while the drag queens clapped in applause.

It sparked pushback from across the spectrum, including from politicians, sports commentators, and religious leaders. 

“God will not be mocked,” ESPN’s Jimmy Dykes wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Skillet frontman John Cooper, on Instagram, said the ceremony “mocked Christianity.”

“The 2024 Olympics are mocking the Lord Jesus,” wrote pastor Ted Traylor of Olive Baptist Church in Florida. 

“Not only are Christians the only people that it is socially acceptable to mock … it’s actually celebrated and put front and center when it happens,” wrote Shane Pruitt, director of next-gen evangelism for the North American Mission Board. “Remember the words of Jesus: ‘If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you (John 15:18).’”

Rhyne Putman, a professor of theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, wrote: “‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand, and the rulers conspire together against the Lord and his Anointed One’ (Ps 2:1-2).”

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio also cited Scripture, writing, “‘In the last time there will be scoffers who will live according to their own godless desires.’ Jude 1:18.”

“Imagine the outcry if the Olympic Games mocked Muhammad the way it is mocking our Lord,” wrote Lila Rose, founder and president of Live Action. “My heart is sad for the mindless hatred that one must have to do this.”

“And now they are openly mocking Christians at the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony,” wrote Kristen Waggoner, president of Alliance Defending Freedom. “There are billions of Christians across the world -- Christians who will compete at the Olympics. This mockery is repugnant.”

“Mocking a global ancient religion at the global ancient games is kind of a stunning choice—Christianity aside,” wrote Glenn Packiam, lead pastor of Rockharbor Church in California.

Others pointed to history, noting that during the French Revolution, there was significant opposition to Christianity.

“France was Europe’s first Catholic kingdom; the Church’s eldest daughter,’” wrote radio host Chris Rossini. “In 1789, a pivotal revolution took place in France. And today, we see (in France) that the war against God is still being waged for the whole world to see.”

Photo Credit: ©X/Shane Pruitt

Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. 

Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.