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Is it Christian to take offence?

The Olympics opening ceremony was watched by millions of viewers, but one part upset some Christians who saw a parallel with da Vinci's The Last Supper painting.

Did you enjoy the Olympics opening ceremony? The four hour extravaganza was remarkable in its ambition and execution - and delighted billions around the world who tuned in. But one group wasn't terribly happy with one aspect of it. Christians were apparently outraged by a scene that evoked Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper painting, with drag queens, a transgender model and a singer made up as the Greek god of wine.

The organisers apologised saying the scene was intended to interpret Dionysus and raise awareness of violence between human beings - and that any interpretation of it being a parody of the Last Supper was unintentional.

A delegate of the bishops of France for the Games said some French athletes had trouble sleeping because of the controversy.

France has a rich Catholic heritage but also has a long tradition of secularism and anti-clericalism. Blasphemy is legal and is considered by many to be an essential pillar of freedom of speech.

What does this tell us about Christianity's ability to see beyond the obvious, to sometimes laugh at itself, or is the whole episode another example in the so-called culture wars between Conservatives and Liberals in the world right now?

Audrey discusses with theologians Dr Elaine Storkey, Dr Tina Beattie and Professor Laurence Kirkpatrick.

1 hour, 27 minutes

Last on

Sun 4 Aug 2024 08:30

Broadcast

  • Sun 4 Aug 2024 08:30