"Did you get upset when The Simpsons did it?"— Internet reacts to mass outrage over The Olympics' parody of The Last Supper

A drag queen-led parody of The Last Supper on Friday, July 26, 2024, at the Olympics opening ceremony in Paris sparked controversy online. As per The Guardian, the tableau seemingly parodied Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper painting, which depicts the moment Jesus Christ declared that one of his apostles would betray him.

The parody, which included the Greek god of wine Dionysus, and drag queens, received backlash as several believed that it seemingly resembled the biblical narrative. Once the pictures and the news of the same went viral, netizens shared their mixed reactions on the internet. Some criticized the outrage and pointed out that no one batted an eye when The Simpsons or The Sopranos did the same, whereas others supported the outrage and claimed that no one has the authority to mock God.

“Did you get upset when the sopranos did it? Did you get upset when The Simpsons did it? You know the last supper was painted by a man widely believed to be homosexual or at least bisexual as he surrounded himself by young men. Beautiful painting but it's just a ceremony,” wrote one X user.

A netizen referred to Thank God It's Doomsday, episode 19 of The Simpsons' season 16. This installment focused on Homer, who, after watching a movie and observing what he interpreted to be indications of the Apocalypse, believed that the Biblical end of times was near. The characters then supposedly created the scene in a bar.

Many other netizens were also against the outrage.

“The original mockery was when DaVinci an Occultist, disillusioned with the church , filled it with Occult symbolism. The church had and still has no idea,” said another one.

“Jesus already won over the ways of this world. Inanity is the sport of fools, and they never seem to tire of it. —M. Le Berchier,” another user commented.

“Colonists masquerading as Jesus and his disciples….. worshiping a lie,” another X user wrote.

However, some supported the protest and voiced their approval.

“None of you have the authority to mock God,” wrote one X user.

“They can mock but In the end we always win,” said another one.

“Every knee will bow,” one netizen commented.

“God will not allow this. There was a pastor who dreamed the Olympics was bombed,” warned another one.

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The French Bishops' Conference released a statement after the Olympics opening ceremony

The Simpsons version of The Last Supper (Image via the 20th Television)

Social media users criticized the performance that was featured during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, arguing that it seemingly made fun of one of Christianity's key moments, The Last Supper.

During the opening ceremony at the Olympics, several performers, including three well-known Drag Race France queens, took poignant positions behind what appeared to be a long table, with the Eiffel Tower and the Seine River in the background.

A performer appeared to represent a dish being served at the feast, while another donned a huge silver headgear that resembled a halo.

At the end, the showcase transformed into a dance floor as Drag Race France presenter Nicky Doll walked across the stage. Paloma and Piche, two contestants from the show, also participated.

Apart from netizens, the parody was also criticized by several bishops. The French Bishops' Conference denounced the "scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity" in a statement that was made public on Saturday, July 27, on X.

"We would like to thank the members of other religious denominations who have expressed their solidarity with us. This morning, we are thinking of all the Christians on every continent who have been hurt by the outrageousness and provocation of certain scenes," they wrote.

It is important to note that the performers and the organizers of the Paris Olympics did not confirm that they were re-enacting The Last Supper. Anne Descamps, the Paris 2024 spokesperson, addressed the situation in a press conference, and said that "there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group."

"[The opening ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance. We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence we are really sorry," they said.

Thomas Jolly, the artistic director of the Olympics opening ceremony, also said in a press conference that his intention was not "to be subversive, mock or shock," but to "talk about diversity."