Candace Cameron Bure Slams Paris Olympics Oopening Ceremony over Alleged Mockery of Christian Religion

The 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony is facing backlash on social media, including criticism from actress Candace Cameron Bure. She expressed her disappointment in an Instagram video, claiming the ceremony mocked Christian beliefs, as it included a portrayal reminiscent of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”

In the clip, Bure initially hesitated to comment on the Olympic opening ceremony because she didn’t want to become a headline. However, she felt the issue was too important to stay silent, so she decided to share her thoughts despite the risks.

Bure mentioned her connection to the Olympics, noting that her husband, brother-in-law, and father-in-law are all medalists and that they all love the Games. She also fondly remembered watching marathoners during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a child.

Reflecting on this year’s Olympics, she said, “So, to watch such an incredible and wonderful event that’s going to take place over the next two weeks and see the opening ceremonies completely blasphemed and mock the Christian faith with their interpretations of the Last Supper was disgusting. And it made me so sad.”

Bure’s statement came after the Olympic Games explained the opening ceremony’s meaning in a post on X, formerly, Twitter. They said, “The interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings.”

Following this clarification, Bure stated that many people have attempted to “correct” her views. But she later claimed that Dionysius was “a god of lust, insanity, religious ecstasy, ritual madnes etc.”

Although the real interpretation has been explained, Bure remained unconvinced. “I still don’t see how that relates to unifying the world through competitive sports and acceptable for children to watch. In any case, I’m not buying it,” she said. Other celebrities also voiced their concerns.

Comedian Rob Schneider criticized the inclusion of drag performances and public nudity. “Guys with their genitalia hanging out in front of children?! Drag Queens?! I wasn’t sure if I was watching the @Olympicsor if I was watching a school board meeting…” he posted on X.

Schneider also followed up with another post. He wished the athletes well but said he could not support an Olympics that he believed disrespected Christianity and “openly celebrates Satan.”

Fitness expert Jillian Michaels also weighed in, calling for respect and sensitivity. “Dear fellow gays… We demand tolerance and respect but then make a mockery of something sacred for over 2 billion Christians,” she said on X.

She also expressed another concern on the platform. “This type of hypocrisy and lack of understanding is a bad look… What kind of reaction do you think they will have towards the LGBTQ+ community after this. This is NOT how we break down barriers it’s how you build them,” Michaels added.

In response to the backlash, Paris Olympics 2024 organizers issued an apology during a press conference. Spokesperson Anne Descamps clarified, “Clearly, there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. On the contrary, I think that really tried to really intend to celebrate community tolerance.”

Thomas Jolly, the Olympic Games Creative Director, emphasized that they aimed to showcase France’s diverse cultural heritage. “I did not intend to be subversive, or to mock or shock,” Jolly stated.

He emphasized that the event was made to showcase ideas like kindness, generosity, and solidarity. These are the values he believes are crucial in today’s world.

He also underscored the freedoms celebrated in their country. “In France, we can believe or not believe. In France, we have a lot of rights and I wanted to convey those values throughout the ceremony,” Jolly explained.

Despite Paris 2024’s apology and clarifications, the controversy shows the tough balance between artistic expression and respect for different beliefs. The strong reactions from Candace Cameron Bure, Schneider, and Michaels highlight the challenge of handling cultural sensitivities on a global stage.