Conservative figures in Hollywood, such as Rob Schneider and Candace Cameron Bure, are outraged by the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics for showing a tableau that seems reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’, but the religious figures of the painting have been replaced by drag queens and more. The Catholic Church in France labeled the image a “mockery and mockery of Christianity.”
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Schneider said he would boycott the rest of the Paris Games over the controversial scene.
“I’m sorry to say to the world’s greatest athletes, I wish you all the best, but I cannot watch an Olympic Games that disrespects Christianity and openly celebrates Satan,” the comedian wrote. “I sincerely hope that these Olympic Games attract as many viewers as CSPAN.”
Schneider later posted a still from the tableau, writing: “Boys with their genitals in front of children?! Drag queens?! I wasn’t sure if I was watching the Olympics or a school board meeting…
“Full House” alum Bure was also outraged in a video post shared to her Instagram, where she said: “To watch such an incredible and wonderful event that will take place over the next two weeks and to see how the opening ceremony completely slanders and mocks the Christian. faith with their interpretation of the Last Supper was disgusting. And it made me so sad. And someone said, ‘You shouldn’t be sad. You should be angry about it.” And I’m like, ‘Trust me. It makes me angry.’ But I am sadder because I am sad for the souls.”
Olympic organizers said the segment in which the tableau appeared was intended to raise awareness “of the absurdity of violence between people.” Artistic director Thomas Jolly spoke French outlet BFMTV after the opening ceremony and denied that “The Last Supper” even served as a reference. Instead, Jolly said the idea was to have “a grand pagan festival connected to the gods of Olympus,” as the tableau prominently featured a version of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine.
“It was pretty clear: it’s Dionysus coming to the table,” Jolly added. ‘Why is he there? Because Dionysus is the Greek god of festivities (…) and wine, and is the father of Sequana, the goddess of the River Seine.”
Olympic Games spokesperson Anne Descamps told the AP that “there was clearly never any intention to show disrespect towards any religious group,” adding: “We believe this ambition has been achieved. If people have been offended, we are truly sorry.”