Did They Actually Apologize To Christians for the 2024 Olympics Opening?

Can community tolerance coexist with religious sensitivity, or are they forever at odds? This question takes center stage as we dissect the controversy around the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony. Critics argue that a scene resembling the Last Supper mocks deeply held Christian beliefs, despite director Thomas Jolly's intentions of celebrating Dionysian joy. We scrutinize the backlash, the organizers' response, and the wider implications for media portrayal of religious themes. Drawing insights from a notable video by Ruslan on the Bless God channel, we highlight the complex interplay between traditional journalism and modern content creation.

Moving beyond the controversy, our discussion pivots to a heartfelt exploration of sin, righteousness, and God's boundless mercy. Using 2 Timothy as our guide, we reflect on staying true to faith amidst a world that often glorifies sinful behavior. We challenge listeners to practice self-examination, grounded in scripture, and to show compassion rather than condemnation towards those lost in sin. Emphasizing prayer and empathy, we underscore the transformative power of God's grace and the importance of loving others as Christ loves us. Join us for a thought-provoking dialogue that encourages both steadfast faith and a compassionate heart.

Chapters

• 0:00 Controversy Over Parisis Olympics Opening Ceremony
• 9:54 Examining Sin and Righteousness
• 17:34 Understanding God's Mercy and Grace

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

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Speaker 1: 0:33

So here is the official statement. So thomas jolly now I don't know if that's his actual name or stage name, that sounds a little too on the nose, but that's just my opinion. Uh, the opening ceremony director insisted in an interview that, with francis, the last supper was not the inspiration behind the scene explaining the dial. Not dionysus arrives at the table because he is a g god of celebration, adding that the particular sequence was entitled Festivity. Well, it is the Last Supper. The idea was to create a big pagan party in link with the god of Mount Olympus. Is that any better? I mean, this is what I was talking about. Are we getting mad at the wrong thing? Yes, obviously, if someone is mocking god mocking jesus, but at the end of the day, no matter which one they were doing, whether true or not true on their on their apology, excuse me, it still was aired on national tv and someone thought this was okay for anybody watching children. That doesn't matter. Matter of fact, there was a child involved. The interpretation of the greek god dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of the violence between beings. Oh really, because you just said you wanted to be a big pagan party. Don't see? This is the morality clause, where they try to paint morality on their perception of what morality is. And you can't do that without god. You end up looking like an idiot. Hold on, somebody just texted me that's prayer team.

Speaker 1: 2:07

But religious conservatives from around the world uh, decreed or what is it? Yeah, decried the segment. I guess I've never heard that word before anyways, so that's pretty much. They are saying that they did not intend right here. Clearly there was never an intent Clearly. Clearly means there is a clear intent. There was no clarity to any of it, or people would not have been able to on the bandwagon so quickly that it was the Last Supper, because that's exactly what it looked like. Exactly what it looked like. That was not an accident. Clearly, there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious groups.

Speaker 1: 2:48

On the contrary, I think with thomas jolly, we really did try to celebrate community tolerance. Community tolerance means that they get to do and say whatever they want, and we just have to take it and be tolerant. Looking at the result of the polls that we shared, we believe that this ambition was achieved. I don't know what polls they're talking about, never mind, my brain went somewhere else. If people have taken any offense, we are, of course, really, really, really sorry, my goodness.

Speaker 1: 3:19

My wish isn't to subversive, nor was to be subversive, nor to mock or shock. I don't think you are telling the truth. Most of all, I wanted to send a message of love and a message of inclusion, and not at all to divide. I do not believe that any further than I can throw a house. I do not believe that any further than I can throw a house. So there's another take on this same topic that we've watched. This guy, bless God, channel. His name is Ruslan, and then we're going to wrap this segment up with the scripture, and this is just blatant disrespect. But let's listen to what he has to say. To it. I think he has some good points.

Speaker 2: 4:02

All right. So, in light of the controversy at the 2024 Parisis olympics, because he's one of the guys.

Speaker 1: 4:07

When I say christian youtuber, he's one of the guys that's on the bandwagon immediately and you know, obviously you're trying to get the first word out there, just like journalism. I mean, that's pretty much. Sometimes what youtube has become is journalism. I mean, I'm literally reporting on an event that happened in the 2024 olympics, and ideas and topics, and looking at the materials and the facts and things like that. So it's a form of journalism. That's what podcasting kind of is. It's information given to you, which is journalism. So he's on the bandwagon. That's why I didn't Even on the assassination I didn't, but the next video is going to be about that and why I didn't. So let's finish this.

Speaker 2: 4:46

They put out a statement, they gave a fake apology and what they were saying was like well, you know it's not. We're not trying to mock the Last Supper. We're not trying to mock two billion Christians across the world. We were really it was really a callback to like a Greek mythology-esque type of art piece, and that's what we're really trying to do. And we're not. We're not. We're not trying. We're not trying to offend you and your religious views. We're not trying to be shocking and get and get christians angry. We can get people to talk about it so that we just drive more clicks and then we issue a fake apology and then scrub it from our own youtube page. We're not trying to do any of that. That's what they said, but then something leaked. Something leaked. You guys may have not caught this, one of the people from this we all recognize.

Speaker 3: 5:30

We all recognize.

Speaker 2: 5:31

Justin Paris Olympics organizers issue apology after they mocked Christianity during their opening ceremony. Organizers say they're really sorry if they offended anyone, which is not an apology, Really, really, really Saying there was never an intention of offending Christians. Clearly there was. Clearly, Clearly.

Speaker 1: 5:47

That's what I said, yep.

Speaker 2: 5:50

Clearly. Clearly. There was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group at the opening ceremony Tried to celebrate. This is such a pretentious apology. Clearly, if we're all being adults here, clearly we're never going to. We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense, we are really sorry. The apology is hard to believe considering the self-described gosh. They said it. I'm just reading along the self-described, obese Jewish. Lg TV who played Jesus, labeled the performance New Testament on their IG page.

Speaker 3: 6:30

So I'll play this for you guys Pulling up Applause.

Speaker 2: 6:33

She thinks she did something.

Speaker 3: 6:34

She thinks she did something. She thinks it's also this is before or after. Kisses wifey and then. So I think that was before.

Speaker 2: 6:40

Okay, that's clearly like like a callback to a catholic yeah, a catholic iconography, yeah, iconography.

Speaker 3: 6:46

We see what's going on here. And then there's the kid. We see a guy being weird with the kiddos. Oh, they're coming.

Speaker 2: 6:51

So this is what she posted, she put, she posted, she posted this this isn't christians losing their mind.

Speaker 1: 6:58

This isn't us overreacting she so this is from her actual account. Okay, so this is a leak of their apology was saying no, it was not this. I, even the even the guy from my church sent a post of another guy and was saying you know this, it doesn't look like that's actually what it was. It maybe people had gone a little bit, but here it is right here. In writing from this person's own Instagram account.

Speaker 2: 7:23

He posted this oh, yes, oh yes, the G-A-Y New Testament at Barbara Butch.

Speaker 1: 7:31

Okay, now just go up, so we can see whose handle that is at the very top.

Speaker 2: 7:34

Okay, so now she shared that, right? Yeah, so that's the girl.

Speaker 3: 7:40

That's the lady. You can see her right in the. She got the. Oh, she already changed her profile picture.

Speaker 2: 7:44

She changed her profile picture.

Speaker 3: 7:45

She's collecting them clout tokens Yep, right, she's sharing the parallel. That was Twitter. She's doing this. Yeah, yep, so they cut this up. They made the parallel and then she shared it as confirmation. So this whole like oh, it wasn't what it was, it's exactly what it was. This is 100% exactly what they intended. Crazy business.

Speaker 2: 8:08

And so does this invalidate the apology? Do we need to come out and do a better apology?

Speaker 3: 8:13

Yep, yeah, I mean, do we even want an apology? Do you want an apology?

Speaker 2: 8:17

I think if there was a genuine apology like guys we dropped the ball, we should have been more sensitive. We're sorry and you know.

Speaker 1: 8:30

So this is when he said that. And like they say the apology, like this is the only voice I hear in my head we are so sorry for what you have seen. Please don't pay attention to our sinful nature anymore. We are just loving, that's all I hear. Like it's fake, like straight up evil trying to paint itself as good, like, oh man, we didn't mean to. We didn't mean to.

Speaker 1: 8:58

How many, how many children's shows to date have we found online that have been trying to push this agenda into our children's minds, to get it inside of their head that it's okay, there's just normal life. And I'm not saying this for homosexuality, I'm saying this for all sin. Like church members love to point out homosexuality while they watch the show Friends let's just name one. That's pretty easy and they laugh and giggle about it when it's an entire show based on debauchery and sexual immorality. But we want to say those drag queens are disgusting. I can't even believe they did that. Oh my gosh, did you see what was on Friends last week? Oh my gosh, I bought the whole box set. For some of y'all who are younger, you don't know what the box set is. Now you can just download things or live stream it. But my point is we like to nitpick and pull other people's sinful nature apart, but we don't take the time to actually examine ourselves because we don't care to. We're not bothered by our sin, we're bothered by theirs.

Speaker 2: 10:09

We're going to tone it down the remaining of the thing. I don't know how much that would work or help, because I think the line in the sand has been drawn right yeah, and I think this is again they they wanted this in terms of the, the, the shock around it, or they're just completely tone deaf and completely checked out from reality yeah, I, I partially don't even care, because it's like, okay, this is what time it is like this, or it's it's mock jesus hour on on the national stage or not?

Speaker 3: 10:43

national, international stage worldwide worldwide stage. Yeah, so like there's nothing you can say that's going to make two billion people less angry at you? Yeah, but like, at least we know where you stand. Or is the olympics separate from france?

Speaker 2: 10:57

so I I think how the olympics work is that countries put in bids anyways.

Speaker 1: 11:02

So let's look at a scripture. So this is, uh, second timothy, chapter three and the dangers of the last day. So look at this. In verse one it says you you should know this, timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. Now, the reason I wanted to pull this scripture and kind of wrap up this, this episode, with this specific scripture, is because I want you to understand that, if you're a believer or if you're not, this is the way things are going. This is the way things have to go. That's just the way that it is. It is going to be a setup and prime time for God to return, when evil has flipped and is now being painted up as good. That is going to be when Jesus has to return because there is no more hope left in the world, which is a sad thing. So you should know this, timothy, that in the last days will be very difficult times, for people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and they will be proud. What's that? What was that parade thing from last month, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents?

Speaker 1: 12:11

I'm going to read this to my child children and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving. They will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good and this right here unloving and unforgiving is that culture that was in that 2024 Olympics opening. They painted up as loving, but they have no love for anybody but themselves. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride and love pleasure rather than God. I don't know about you, but that sounds super familiar. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that can make them godly. Stay away from people like that. They are the kind who work their way into people's homes and win the confidence of vulnerable women who are burned with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth. These teachers oppose the truth, just as janus and jambres opposed moses. They have depraved minds and counterfeit faith. This is getting awful close to describing church people today, the modern church, but they won't get away with this for long. Someday, everyone doesn't matter if they believe or not will recognize what fools they are. Just as with Janus and Jambres, so someday everyone will recognize what fools they are.

Speaker 1: 13:56

If you don't recognize, as a person, that you are in need of a Savior and that you are living in your sin and that you've been a slave to sin. You will never truly submit yourself completely over to God. You will not actually give every decision, every thought, take that thought captive and make it subject to christ, as the word tells us to do. You won't do it because you're not willing to fully submit to god. So then, we're going to read these next few verses paul's charge to timothy but you, timothy, certainly know what I teach and how I live and what my purpose in life is. You, you know my faith, my patience, my love and my endurance. You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch and Lystra, but the Lord rescued me from all of it.

Speaker 1: 14:51

Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil people and imposters will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived. But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught and saying. Stay true to what you know. Stay true to God's truth. Don't let culture manipulate you into making excuses for sin. You know they are true. You know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy scriptures from childhood and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

Speaker 1: 15:37

All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our own lives. So when the Ten Commandments was given to the children of Israel, when Moses came down the second time, after he didn't break them, it was given as a spiritual reflection from God, as a standard of what we should look like a spiritual mirror. And this is what Scripture is supposed to do for us, the believers. And Scripture comes alive to those who don't know Christ, and the Spirit draws them in to the Word. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. So, closing thoughts you know it's very easy, like the first video we watched with the guy from the channel. What Do you Mean? It's very easy to get super upset. Now, I'm not saying we let sin slide, we don't affirm, we don't undermine sin and say nah, it's fine, you're good, you're fine, I'm sure God will let you in. He is a God of love. He's also a God of justice. He's also a God of righteousness, and we have to recognize every single one of us.

Speaker 1: 16:56

I use the example often with my wife. I love her so much and she, she's never got drunk, she's never smoked. She's never, I don't know she's ever said a curse word. I have no clue. I doubt she's ever has. Uh, she's been mad at me plenty to probably want to say some, but she's never actually said any out of her mouth that I've ever heard.

Speaker 1: 17:17

But that being said, no matter how good of a life she lived as far as like a good example, a good, godly woman she has stayed close to God her entire life. She never strayed. And I went the opposite way, I went stupid. She's never strayed from God.

Speaker 1: 17:34

But the fact is, no matter how good her life was, next to Christ, next to God's righteousness is filthy rags. So even someone who has been a good person still needs salvation, and so we have to remember that. How much greater these people we just watched in the depths of their sin, how much greater is God's mercy and God's love and God's grace. All it takes is for them to recognize that they need a savior, and so, with us looking at them in that way, through what I believe is the eyes of Christ, with the heart of Christ full of compassion and love towards the sinner the reason he came sometimes we forget that. I believe we should be praying for them and not just making videos about them to bash them, making posts about how terribly disgusted they are. If we're all honest, sin is disgusting, but it's very thickly sugar-coated so that we will first try to partake of it. So I want you to think about that, and I will see you next time.

Speaker 3: 18:40

Faith and Failures Podcast.