Biden and Harris criticized by religious group for silence on 'insulting' Last Supper parody at Olympics

WASHINGTON, DC: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are facing criticism from a conservative Christian group for their silence over a drag tableau at the 2024 Olympics opening ceremony in Paris, which evoked Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' in the minds of many viewers.

As many Christian leaders have deemed the demonstration "insulting" and part of a "war on our faith," the incumbent who has often been vocal about his Catholic faith is yet to comment on the event, reported Fox News.

What did the drag tableau signify?

The Olympic Games committee has notably explained that the tableau on the Debilly Bridge over the Seine was an "interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus" who "makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings," through a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

French actor and singer Phillippe Katerine, semi-naked and painted blue, portrayed Dionysus, shared CBC.

According to the opening ceremony artistic director Thomas Jolly, the performance was supposed to celebrate diversity and pay tribute to feasting and French gastronomy.

Catholic leader's criticism of the White House

Addressing the drag performance, Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote, a conservative, nonprofit political advocacy group, stated, "We call on President Biden to condemn the sacrilegious mockery of the Last Supper portrayed at the Olympics’ opening ceremony. Our leaders, especially one who self-identifies as Catholic, should have no trouble denouncing such hateful attacks on Christianity."

"You can be sure the Biden-Harris administration would not remain silent if Olympic organizers had mocked Jewish or Islamic believers or any other religion other than Christianity. Their silence speaks volumes about their respect for Christian believers in a country they hope to lead for the next four years," he added.

The act has also evoked strong reactions from political leaders of faith, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La), who wrote on X the day after the ceremony, "Last night’s mockery of the Last Supper was shocking and insulting to Christian people around the world who watched the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The war on our faith and traditional values knows no bounds today. But we know that truth and virtue will always prevail."

Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini expressed in a statement, "Opening the Olympics by insulting billions of Christians around the world was a really bad start, dear French. Seedy."

Internet riles up over complaints

Netizens were divided into two groups over the complaints arising from religious Christians. While one of them portrayed the Biden administration as inept, the other hit back by pointing out that the tableau was not intended to represent 'The Last Supper' at all.

"Of course the Administration remains silent. This outrageous spectacle is not so unlike some of productions sponsored and hosted by the Biden Administration on the White House grounds," wrote a user.

"They stayed silent because they are trying to play both sides against the middle. Something spineless wonders do. No morals," shared another.

"How many times does it have to be said, ITS NOT THE LAST SUPPER!!!!" exclaimed a third.

"What is crazy about this is that it wasn't about the Last Supper at all. You would think by now people would know this. It has been explained dozens of times already. It is based on a painting of the Greek Gods and has nothing to do with Christianity," explained a fourth.

"While MAGA posts this daily and Republicans are silent," pointed out a fifth user, sharing images of Trump being featured as Jesus in paintings.

"What can we expect from inept people," jibed another.

 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.