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Drag queens shine at Olympics opening, but 'Last Supper' tableau draws criticism

56 Comments
By THOMAS ADAMSON

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Why is mocking religious opinions off-limits?

It is not!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

The world is liberal mate.

This is your conceit. Your world is liberal. My world is one of traditional liberalism (That was not written to make you gag, but so be it.) which acknowledges that that stance does not automatically make me right. The world at large is not liberal.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

I saw pictures of that so-called last supper thing and coud not give a T. I have never been religious and never will be, the whole thing was laughable with all the so-called chistians getting on their high horses about it.*

If you’re not a Christian then you wouldn’t understand

I thought "true" Christians all believe "life begins at conception"...

That's what all my evangelical friends say...

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Radical woke liberal nonsense

Yawn.

Tell us about virtue signaling again.

4 ( +9 / -5 )

I’m quite interested in the fact that the Western world happily mocks christianity, but when it comes to Islam it would be bigoted to do so.

Fair point.

I think the answer to that is more to do with fear of violent reprisals.

There is also the sense of mocking the historical culture of your country. Being able to laugh at yourself is a very important quality.

what happens when Islam and LGBTQ is finally forced to reckon with the fact that they cannot coexist in the Western world?

It does coexist. Same-sex marriage is on the books in many European countries with large Muslim populations.

Some Muslims and other religious groups don’t like it.

Live with it.

Countries worth living in are not run under religious law. Resist anyone who wants to enforce it.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Hey friend, if hairy bearded guys in fishnets and high heels rock your boat, cool, that's your private business

Oh wait! Elementary school stuff. I like a bit of nostalgia but this is an adult conversation. The walls should close in on this.

.dont see why it should be in the Olympics opening ceremony.

Opinions, eh? I don’t think football should be in the Olympics.

Why is mocking religious opinions off-limits?

It is not!

Agree. Bad phrasing on my part.

Why do some think mockery of religious opinions should be off-limits?

I’ve never come across a good answer to this.

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Honestly, it's enough to make you go shoot a beer can in impotent fury! Aren't the pearl clutching Karens on here the ones always telling us nobody cares if you're offended?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

People mock political opinions. People see this as acceptable. You can mock tastes in media, music, film, fashion etc.

Why is mocking religious opinions off-limits?

The answer seems to be the religious see their religious opinions as somehow privileged and special.

They can see their religious opinions as privileged and special if they want.

Don’t expect others to.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

I guess some of you would be proud parents if that little girl was your daughter. Yes or no?

And you want me to think that mocking Jesus Christ and 2.4 billion people is perfectly normal and acceptable.

And you’re telling me that I should glorify those weirdos, what they do and how they do it.

What the…

“ The message of the show is freedom. “

Forget your values, your humanity, change your beliefs, let’s all behave (and think) like animals because, hey, “freedom”.

SMDH.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

What you say is irrelevant really.

Another decision you don't get to make.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Exactly, respect the right of others to enjoy the opening ceremony without the shrill whining. Tolerate the opinions of people who don’t share your particular religious sentiments.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

The opening ceremony had some ridiculously cheap, pathetic and disgusting moments. Fact.

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Maybe, but it’s my opinion, we should respect each others opinions and be tolerant right?

Tolerance,is good,Steve.

I mentioned the religious sensibilities of an old Indian coworker. His particular Hindu belief included a vegan diet.

I’m not sure he or anyone else would see your choice of quote on a vegan diet as very tolerant:

 I think Del said “vegan food is for wimps Rodney”, lol

Did Del actually say this?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Woke left

Yawn.

Tell us more about virtue signaling.

Have you read half of the material ever written on this?

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Among their bold performances was a scene that seemed to evoke Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” featuring the drag queens and other performers in a configuration reminiscent of Jesus Christ and his apostles. This segment drew significant attention — and mixed reactions.

The conservative evangelical rightists supporting authoritarians who are upset about this probably will clap their ears and scream when they hear most scholarly research concludes da Vinci was LGBTQ.

1 ( +11 / -10 )

Drag queens clearly hold a lot more appeal to the woke at large, but not the world at large.

The world is liberal mate.

It's literally so mainstream it's even in the Olympics. We all think you guys are weird for being all freaked out.

1 ( +10 / -9 )

“To all the Christians of the world...

It's not your business (or mine)

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Drag, LGBT and the Olympics all existed long before Christianity. Just like Islamists and other religious extremists, Christians don’t get to tell the rest of us what to do or how to think.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

I guess that’s why they’re called drag queens. The guy showing his junk didn’t have enough of them to mock Mohammad. We all know why.

It reminded me of a very bad B movie. No imagination or meaning. Just useless meaningless sensationalist dog poo.

1 ( +8 / -7 )

I’m sure your joking but a bit worrying if you didn’t see that as a joke about an 80’s and 90’s TV character.

Of course,I’m joking,Steve.

Any Brit would see that straight from the face-off.

I’m sure Del would’ve seen anyone taking posts seriously about a comedy character from the 80s or 90s as a ‘plonker’, a ‘dipstick’ or a ‘tart’.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Aw, they poor baby evangelicals can dish it out but can't take it.

0 ( +13 / -13 )

Banthu

Oh yeah, they wouldn’t say anything about the Koran or the Tora or they’d be in fear of their lives. BTW, I’m not religious at all, just gets on me wick how childish everything has become.

0 ( +11 / -11 )

Strangerland

Doubt they do hold more appeal actually. Maybe in yours and your mates world. In many parts of the world that kind of stuff is banned, not that I’m saying that’s right as it isn’t.

0 ( +10 / -10 )

Im talking about worldwide, you know how most of the world thinks.

I know what the part of the world that matters thinks.

Are you maybe including the likes of Russia and North Korea into your considerations?

They don't matter.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

well. I guess we both have a different moral compass.

Yes, I have hence my reputation for my unimpeachable ethics and morals.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

Drag queens clearly hold a lot more appeal to the world at large.

Drag queens clearly hold a lot more appeal to the woke at large, but not the world at large.

0 ( +10 / -10 )

I recall the left crying and whining about Trump, in a private conversation, grabbing something. But balls hanging out and mocking a religion? A-OK. Sic people. They need help.

0 ( +9 / -9 )

woke

Yawn.

A bit disappointed we haven’t had ‘woke mind virus’ and ‘go woke go broke’ yet.

Is ‘SJW’ still doing the rounds?

0 ( +7 / -7 )

Hey friend, if hairy bearded guys in fishnets and high heels rock your boat, cool, that's your private business

Your far-right extremist buddies are making it their business even when it's not.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Remember, the world likes drag queens. I

Whatever rocks your boat queen.

Oh, sorry, I don't fit into your binary box where you pigeonhole everyone into left/right. I'm not into drag queens myself; I don't like musicals, and I'm not much into story telling, and I'm a centrist, not a far-lefter.¥

I simply point out how myself, like most of the world, wonder if the people who are freaking out about drag shows are ok, or if this is the sign of some deep mental disease? The sane world realizes it's no big deal. These people are afraid the sky is falling, and that chicken little isn't being extreme enough.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

The issue many don’t see to be seeing is this is supposed to be promoting tolerance, that was the supposed message of this stunt. A lot of these people demand you respect their beliefs and choices and use right pronouns etc yet find it ok to mock others.

The Olympics are not the place to make this type of commentary, it’s supposed to be for all, not some and be inclusive of all people.

0 ( +6 / -6 )

It was intended to be a high kitsch, light-hearted parody. The blue guy was an interpretation of Dionysus, Greek god of wine and pleasure. As mentioned, the Olympics predates Christianity, and the Greek gods likewise. God botherers don't get to choose what secular France does, nor what the wider world is allowed to see or do. The irony here is that the message was indeed tolerance, and the religionists fell at the first hurdle. They complain that 'you'd never do that to mohammed' - you sound exactly like any other religious extremists. We get it- your religion is your favorite toy, enjoy it, love it, celebrate it, follow the rules you make up for the games you play- but don't force the rest of us to play with your toys and don't try to make us follow the rules of your games, These are the same people who would have been protesting Life of Brian when it was released. Get a sense of humor and relax, you sound ridiculous.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Self appoints him/herself to speak for " most of the sane world ", thinks it somehow makes it credible.

Just speaking the truth as someone who gets out and about in the world. Sorry it doesn’t fit into your far right world view, but neither does most of the world. The world is very liberal. Only a very tiny yet vocal minority are far right extremists hung up on American right wing culture wars.

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Using government money for a ceremony that should showcase the country to intentionally insult one group is irresponsible and immature.

Imagine some fat, hairy old guys dancing around making fun of feminism. not to many would be praising that

-1 ( +8 / -9 )

Doubt they do hold more appeal actually.

They do. They are actually quite popular, and outside far-right extremists most people are baffled why the extremists have their panties... er... briefs in a knot.

-1 ( +10 / -11 )

Funkymofo

What you say is irrelevant really. It’s poor form for an Olympic opening. Secular France has a responsibility to promote the Olympics to all not a selected audience. It’s not where controversial matters should be aired.

The event has been the shambles you’d expect from France at this point in its history.

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Can’t people just get on. Anyone who takes sides is as bad as extremists on either side, seeing the world in black and white and not using their loaf rationally

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

rcchJuly 29  08:23 pm JST

*The opening ceremony had some ridiculously cheap, pathetic and disgusting moments. Fact.*

Wouldn't be the first time either. Wait until the Olympics closing ceremonies and see how dumb they get.

falseflagsteveToday  12:14 am JST

Can’t people just get on. Anyone who takes sides is as bad as extremists on either side, seeing the world in black and white and not using their loaf rationally

That's what America (and apparently people elsewhere) have become. Scream! Screeeeaaammmm!!!! Screeeeee-eeeeeeaaaammm!!!!! Eeeeeee!!!! Eeeeeeee!!!!! Eeeeeeeee-****eeeeeee-EEEEEEE!!!!!

A bunch of prissy-misses who wet themselves in public, then they SCREAM hatred and violence.

And that can go for the left wing as well as for the right.

bass4funkJuly 29  12:09 pm JST

You know, I've heard talk, maybe it's just talk that there's some performances of the musical 'Godspell' where the males play females and vice versa. Genders reversed. 

Yeah, we all saw it.

Some people do things their 'funny' ways. After all, God isn't male or female. But that's not the point here.

That's because many of these Scream Queens/Drama Queens howling about drag queens actually are that in secret. One such evangelical in Alabama was exposed to be one and he killed himself. 

And?

That loudmouth talking hate trash was exposed, that's what. He couldn't even stand himself.

Da Vinci was gay and one of the most talented and brightest **men **in history. 

OK, and???

Has anybody noticed about how Gov. Ron DeSassy of Florida was explicitly negligent and derelict during the Covid lockdown?

Yup.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/11/desantiss-covid-gamble-paid-off/672063/

Then all of a sudden he starts screaming like a prissy-miss about how 'drag queens and gays' are 'infecting our education' and such. 

I thought in Americans we have the right to do that? Liberals call conservatives and Christians all kinds of foul names

This has nothing to do with Christianity here. Ron DeSassy is a Scream Queen/Drama Queen/probably Closet Queen. He's using 'projectionism' to divert attention from the FACT that he's been a derelict governor. A sorry excuse for one. So that loudmouth lunkhead takes it out on the gays, drags and the 'good ol' illegal immigrants' for good measure. And he certainly is not a Christian by any sense of the word.

Ever read 'The Emperor's New Clothes'? How about 'The Scarlet Letter' where the local preacher is the adulterer man, with an 'A' carved onto his chest! 

Let’s leave Biden out of the conversation for once.

I didn't even bring Joe up. He's just another guy, and sure as hell doesn't promote hatred or violence. Nor does he nitpick and scream like a fanatical geek like these loudmouth evangelicals do all the time.

Joe speaks softly and carries a big stick. And he certainly doesn't pop off the chops faster than a starship engine, like the Incestuous Iscariot Caligula Don.

That leads me to believe that Ron DeSassy is a Scream Queen/Drama Queen/Closet Queen who uses projection as a method to divert us from recalling what a derelict in duty he is. And he is. 

I’m sorry, come again? Why do libs hate free speech again?

It's not a matter of 'free speech' here. Yes, Ron has his free speech, and his juvenile antics show once again that he really is a Scream Queen/Drama Queen/Closet Queen who uses projection as a method to divert us from recalling what a derelict he truly is. Once again, he shows what a Robespierre rabble-rousing crap-stirring oaf he truly is. Once again, he has mud on his face, big disgrace. Observation.

This opening ceremony can be interpreted any way we want to. Remember the 'Piss Christ' art sculpture?

Disgusting. 

That's a photograph floating above a sea of human waste, not getting submerged into it. Even a Catholic nun once said that. It's not 'Piss On Christ' BTW. Still, we always have people on both sides of 'the fence' always looking for something to badmouth, nitpick, judge and blabba blabba about. And there's always these jokers who intentially do these things knowing that people got their minds in the gutter and want to find fault with anything at all. They do it on purpose.

It's just like that one video of 'Listen Like Thieves' by INXS where the lead singer Michael Hut4chince is wearing a sweaty shirt with the slogan 'Watch the world argue' on it. And here's another big example of that! Once again.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

If these people truly believed in tolerance and diversity, they wouldn't intentionally denigrate Christians and ridicule their values.

If Christians weren't trying to force their book club on us, people wouldn't have any reason to fight back.

Remember, the world likes drag queens. It's the oppressive church trying to control our thoughts.

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

You know, I've heard talk, maybe it's just talk that there's some performances of the musical 'Godspell' where the males play females and vice versa. Genders reversed.

TaiwanIsNotChinaToday  06:59 am JST

Aw, they poor baby evangelicals can dish it out but can't take it.

That's because many of these Scream Queens/Drama Queens howling about drag queens actually are that in secret. One such evangelical in Alabama was exposed to be one and he killed himself.

dagonToday  06:59 am JST

Among their bold performances was a scene that seemed to evoke Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” featuring the drag queens and other performers in a configuration reminiscent of Jesus Christ and his apostles. This segment drew significant attention — and mixed reactions.

The conservative evangelical rightists supporting authoritarians who are upset about this probably will clap their ears and scream when they hear most scholarly research concludes da Vinci was LGBTQ.

Da Vinci was gay and one of the most talented and brightest men in history.

Has anybody noticed about how Gov. Ron DeSassy of Florida was explicitly negligent and derelict during the Covid lockdown? Then all of a sudden he starts screaming like a prissy-miss about how 'drag queens and gays' are 'infecting our education' and such.

Ever read 'The Emperor's New Clothes'? How about 'The Scarlet Letter' where the local preacher is the adulterer man, with an 'A' carved onto his chest!

That leads me to believe that Ron DeSassy is a Scream Queen/Drama Queen/Closet Queen who uses projection as a method to divert us from recalling what a derelict in duty he is. And he is.

This opening ceremony can be interpreted any way we want to. Remember the 'Piss Christ' art sculpture?

Those who scream the loudest and the most often are what they scream against in the first place.

-2 ( +5 / -7 )

You know, I've heard talk, maybe it's just talk that there's some performances of the musical 'Godspell' where the males play females and vice versa. Genders reversed. 

Yeah, we all saw it.

That's because many of these Scream Queens/Drama Queens howling about drag queens actually are that in secret. One such evangelical in Alabama was exposed to be one and he killed himself. 

And?

*Da Vinci was gay and one of the most talented and brightest men in history. *

OK, and???

Has anybody noticed about how Gov. Ron DeSassy of Florida was explicitly negligent and derelict during the Covid lockdown?

Yup.

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/11/desantiss-covid-gamble-paid-off/672063/

Then all of a sudden he starts screaming like a prissy-miss about how 'drag queens and gays' are 'infecting our education' and such. 

I thought in Americans we have the right to do that? Liberals call conservatives and Christians all kinds of foul names

Ever read 'The Emperor's New Clothes'? How about 'The Scarlet Letter' where the local preacher is the adulterer man, with an 'A' carved onto his chest! 

Let’s leave Biden out of the conversation for once.

That leads me to believe that Ron DeSassy is a Scream Queen/Drama Queen/Closet Queen who uses projection as a method to divert us from recalling what a derelict in duty he is. And he is. 

I’m sorry, come again? Why do libs hate free speech again?

This opening ceremony can be interpreted any way we want to. Remember the 'Piss Christ' art sculpture?

Disgusting. 

Those who scream the loudest and the most often are what they scream against in the first place.

gosh, I hope you remember that line, because I sure as heck will.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I’m quite interested in the fact that the Western world happily mocks christianity, but when it comes to Islam it would be bigoted to do so.

what happens when Islam and LGBTQ is finally forced to reckon with the fact that they cannot coexist in the Western world?

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Imagine some fat, hairy old guys dancing around making fun of feminism. not to many would be praising that

No. That's why no one would ever be stupid enough to put something like that in the opening ceremonies. Drag queens clearly hold a lot more appeal to the world at large.

-3 ( +10 / -13 )

Why is mocking religious opinions off-limits?

The answer seems to be the religious see their religious opinions as somehow privileged and special.

Incredibly illogical.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

lot of these people demand you respect their beliefs and choices and use right pronouns etc yet find it ok to mock others.

The anti-trans crowd described to a T.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Jimizo

I’m sure your joking but a bit worrying if you didn’t see that as a joke about an 80’s and 90’s TV character.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Funky

Maybe, but it’s my opinion, we should respect each others opinions and be tolerant right?

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

I’m quite interested in the fact that the Western world happily mocks christianity, but when it comes to Islam it would be bigoted to do so.

what happens when Islam and LGBTQ is finally forced to reckon with the fact that they cannot coexist in the Western world?

Exactly,! and the LGBTQ groups would be chased down, shunned, murdered in the Muslim, Jewish and even Hindu world, as to why they side with these groups is beyond me.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

Strangerland

Eh? Sorry, I’m confused about your response to me.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

Strangerland

Im talking about worldwide, you know how most of the world thinks. Many parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East they are illegal due to religious reasons. Yes, I would call them extremists too, but that’s the facts.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

I'm highly disappointed that Tokyo 2020 Olympics opening ceremony, (as well as Beijing's), didn't feature any LGBTQ+ themes, especially ones like this, featuring motifs evoking traditional spiritualism and iconic artworks. I wonder why not? Samurai drag-queens -- bring it on!!

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

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