A Response to the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony

A Response to the 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony

Resist the Disguised “Angel of Light”

Written by Elder Luo Wenqiang, translated by Wu Simin

        The Paris Olympics commenced on 26 July 2024. At the opening ceremony, a drag queen-themed parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” and crude performances, including a naked singer made up as the Greek god of wine Dionysus caused an uproar in public opinion and the media.

        How should Christians view and respond to such public acts and events that clearly blaspheme Christianity? Should we accept the organizers’ apology and take it that they “meant no disrespect”? If Christians protest, will we be seen to be lacking in humour, aesthetic taste, and overly sensitive? Will this make people frown upon Christianity and make Christianity more marginalised? Why should we be bothered by this incident, since the LGBTQ culture is nothing new and is already widely publicised in mainstream media and in public places?

        If Christians remain silent because of these concerns and thoughts, it goes to say that we have fallen right into the enemy’s trap. The devil Satan wants to fill this world with sin and depravity, to make Christians timid, tired, and lazy to deal with it. When ugliness becomes the norm and shame is regarded as glory, it will be difficult for truth to prevail in this world.

        We cannot remain silent in this crooked and depraved generation, for God is holy and He has given us saints the identity as prophets. Gender identity and sexual orientation are by no means insignificant personal choices. In the round of 16 women’s boxing 66kg weight class competition on 1 August, Italy’s Angela Carini had to abandon her game midway because her opponent was a boxer who was disqualified from the 2023 boxing world championships for failing gender qualification tests. Allowing athletes who are biologically male to compete in women’s sports is not only disrespectful to women but also physical violence against them. Similarly, many underage teenagers who have been enticed by LGBTQ culture and have undergone sex reassignment surgery or taken puberty blockers may also suffer massive and irreversible damage to their bodies, minds and souls.

        In the last days, people will confuse and reverse right and wrong, just as the prophet Isaiah predicted, “who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter”. (Isaiah 5: 20) Under the disguise of “DEI diversity, equity and inclusion” advocated by liberals, we see the undermining of the most basic human nature and morality and the destruction of marriage and family which are the cornerstone of society, the Bible is scorned as an outdated revelation and our faith is vilified and stigmatised.

        If saints remain silent, not only will many people be confused and misled, but this will also allow sin to spread and atrocities to increase until they fill the earth. Voltaire once said, “Those who can make you believe absurdities can also make you commit atrocities.” When lies and absurdities prevail in this world, justice and truth will be engulfed, and eventually, atrocities will run rampant, and upright Christians will no longer have a place in this world.

        After World War II, a German pastor, Martin Niemöller, wrote a confession in poetic form to describe how German intellectuals and pastors succumbed to Nazi power and watched in silence as the Nazis purged group after group of innocent civilians until the final persecution came upon them and they were no longer able to resist.

“First, they came for the Communists,

and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the Socialists,

and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists,

and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,

and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me,

and there was no one left to speak out for me.”

        When the light of truth is dim in the world, no Christian can remain righteous alone. Therefore, let us saints no longer be the silent majority. First, let us speak out bravely on our personal social media platforms, and do not think that this is the responsibility of pastors and churches only.

        Secondly, when our relatives and friends talk about related issues, let us be prepared to bravely and wisely express our Christian views and communicate with them honestly.

        Thirdly, clearly boycott products, sports events, film and productions, art performances that contain LGBTQ culture, and support individuals, institutions and businesses that uphold traditional values.

        Finally, we should also see that many LGBTQ people are also victims of today’s decadent “woke” culture. Treating LGBTQ as a normal lifestyle is just deceiving oneself and others. There is no happiness to be found; instead, it brings about much physical, mental and spiritual confusion, pain and helplessness that cannot be told to others. Let us pray for them to bravely walk out of this misunderstanding of life, repent and turn to Jesus, and find true freedom and relief in Christ! What can truly “promote a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity” is not a global sporting event but the truth of the Gospel.

        “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)