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Is anyone else confused about JD Vance’s pronouncement that women without children are “Miserable old cat ladies who are dragging down our country.”? He’s said that childless women are so “bitter that their aim is to make everyone else in America as miserable as they are.” J D Vance is Catholic. I always thought Catholics admired their nuns! Am I wrong? Do Catholics actually hold nuns in disdain? I remember when Mother Teresa was a Catholic hero and on the cover of every magazine. She was almost considered to to be a Saint because of all the work she did for the poor. I must admit I find this all very confusing, but then again, I’m not a Catholic.
Janet Linn,BrideofChrist,
I’m more disturbed that these are the people running out of a country of 350 million.
All of them will say anything to boost their base…
https://www.deseret.com/faith/2024/07/25/ryan-burge-church-closing-the-nones/?fbclid=IwY2xjawERBmtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHTrg_kgZfhX7Ao-3qfVpZLenvWhXCQOV7oMcBhErJ0szqjTiX1hmWsP8vg_aem_ibJUCTnyq6bom8KmHJPVmQ
I wasn’t watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, but understand that there was a blasphemous exhibition involving drag queens and the Last Supper.
The only interesting thing about this is I’ve noticed more and more mockery of the Supper…might have some significance…might not…
I didn’t see it other than a few stills, but I’ve seen the counter argument that Christisns are overreacting and it was representative of a bachanalian feast. It was more than 13 people.
The Lord’s Supper is mocked whenever the words of Christ are rejected. It happens every week in America in thousands of Christian churches.
“Dearest Gentle Reader, I’m about to step on some toes in regard to the Opening Ceremony at the Paris Olympics. The headless woman was Marie Antoinette. She ruled over France and was found guilty of treason, conspiracy, and stealing from the country.
Sound familiar?
Also, it was not the Last Supper. It was a depiction of an ancient Greek Bacchanal… because, you know, the Olympics are ancient and Greek. Surprise!
And if you didn’t know, a Bacchanalia is an uncontrollably promiscuous, extravagant, and loud party. The parties often spanned several days which honored the god of wine, Bacchus (the blue guy covered in grape vine). He is also known as Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility, later known as the god of wine and pleasure.
And finally, it was not Death on a pale horse. It was Sequana, Goddess of the Seine, the River in which the boat precession took place. She was meant to be the representation of the Olympic spirit and of Sequana.
If some of you weren’t so busy trying to end the Dept. of Education, you might know this.
Loosen the clutch on your pearls.
Yours truly,
Lady Francis
MarLa Francis”
To all that have accused French Olympic organisers of ridiculing religion after ‘drag queens at the games’ opening ceremony in Paris appeared to parody Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’.
This is for you.
I really cannot understand how anyone could possibly have so little knowledge of French and Greek history that they instantly interpreted this to be blasphemy.
What did you do in school?
Clearly you weren’t paying attention.
Firstly I will start by announcing the Olympics first started in Greece in 776BC.
Please remember that point,- it will be useful as you read further.
The ceremony was divided into thematic chapters-
Enchanté (enchant)
Synchronicité (synchronicity)
Liberté (liberty)
Égalité (equality)
Festivité (festivity
Obscurité (darkness)
Fraternité (fraternity)
Sororité (sorority)
Sportif/Sportive (sportsmanship)
Solidarité (solidarity)
Solennité (solemnity)
and lastly Éternité (eternity)
The scene that has everyone losing their minds over is created by the performers showing an ornately dressed woman at the center of a long table wearing a halo crown and making a heart shape with her hands.
The scene culminated with a scantily-clad man painted from head to toe in sparkling blue curled up on a silver platter.
This was France’s depiction of an Ancient Greek Bacchanal.
What is a Bacchanal? I hear you gasp.
Get ready to clutch your pearls!
A Bacchanal is an intoxicating, flamboyantly promiscuous, extravagant, raucously loud celebration.
Yep, it’s an orgy.
Those Greek’s were wild!
Wild, I tell you!
These celebrations would span several days.
The focus would be to honour the god of wine, Bacchus (the scantily clad man painted in blue with a grape vine covering his modesty).
He was also known as Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility, later known as the god of wine and pleasure.
We’re you aware one may be a Bacchanalia and hold Buchanal Celebrations?
It is nought to do with ‘The Last Supper’.
For those clutching their pearls, still upset over seeing ‘men dressed in drag’, you are doing so regarding a renaissance painting by da Vinci.
A painting of da Vinci’s interpretation.
An INTERPRETATION of a painting.
Yep, a painting…
All of you that are aghast, – were you aware most scholars believe that da Vinci was a homosexual due to his penchant for surrounding himself with young men, with many records of his life noting he was bisexual?
He painted many young men in very provocative positions and maintained long-lasting relationships with two pupils who were apprenticed to him as children.
But go ahead, continue to interpret this incorrectly and be offended.
The headless woman was Marie Antoinette.
Marie Antoinette was an Austrian princess and the wife of King Louis XVI.
She remains one of the most iconic characters in Versailles’ rich history.
She arrived at the French Court aged only fifteen.
She ruled over France.
Eventually she was found guilty of conspiring with foreign powers, depletion of the state treasury, and committing high treason by acting against the security of the French state. The prosecution requested, and was granted, the death penalty.
And finally, it was not Death on a pale horse.
It was Sequana, Goddess of the Seine, the River in which the boat procession commenced.
She represented the Olympic spirit.
Lastly, we’re you aware you may read all about the ancient history of Greece and France in an item known as a book?
Or you can do what I did after I left school, study The Great Masters of Art for 4 years.
Loosen the clutch on your pearls.
It’s not about you.
Written 28 July 2024.
Copyright ©️ Katy McIvor
Alex,
Considering most of the people appalled are from the US, it is not surprising. They are completely ignorant of their own history, so it is even worse for topics in European or Ancient history. And worse, most of the one screaming are either a) Fundegelicals (who are even more ignorant, including of their own Christianity) or b) politicians/evangelical leaders trying to score political points with group a).
The scandal of the evangelical mind (to quote Mark Noll) is that there isn’t one. And that has been the case for decades and even more so since their Orange Messiah descended from the escalator in 2015.
I agree with both of the Bacchanal posts above, that the ceremony was rich in Greek and French historical references. I will also say that there was some mischief with how they staged the feast table. They knew exactly what they were doing and the effect it would have, intentionally to shock and offend. Celebrating the god of hedonism with ab orgy and mocking moral values is not mutually exclusive. Yes, I’m having it both ways. Get used to nuanced, multi-sided issues and situations because its going to be nothing but that from here on.
But then 56% of Americans (and a higher percentage of Republicans of which most Evangelicals are) said that Arabic numerals should not be taught in school.
https://www.cato.org/commentary/whos-afraid-arabic-numerals#
Terry nailed it…
R’as al Ghul @ 9:59 am,
Well put, and I concur.
They don’t want a democracy, they want a dictatorship.
Richard Bauckham’s new little memoir The Blurred Cross has been worthwhile reading. I’m only halfway through it.
Caped Crusader hits in a few days and I’m on the fence about it. I try to give things Batman a chance but while some of the ideas seem like they could be cool some of the ideas don’t seem like they sit easily the 1940s retro setting.
It’s hard to shake the sense that Jerome and Tertullian would say if we were paying attention to the games at all that’s on us, not on heathens for being heathens.
It was a golden escalator orange Jesus descended from. Let’s not forget that.
Didn’t watch the ceremonies, don’t care who it offended. My mind has changed quite a bit the last year about people’s feels getting hurt over the slightest thing. It happens, and suddenly people want legislation. It just gets boring. Cancel culture is canceling itself out.
I’m looking forward to seeing recaps of the skateboarding stuff, that’s about it.
Reuben, I agree. It’s become so predictable and boring.
Thank you Alex and Terry and everyone for that informative exchange. It is ipso facto, so who knows what the intent was. They weren’t trying out for the Traveling Wilburys. God marks those who are saddened and dismayed by that display. I couldn’t even have my kids watch it. That paired with the confessed child rapist playing on the volleyball tournament, I am done with the Olympics. It was my dream when I was a younger man. I’m glad it didn’t pan out
The spectacle of Jesus being parodied by the French at the Olympics, by now we’ve all seen it. . The Christ image being co-opted by the spirit of the games where ‘everyone’ is invited. How shall we who worship Jesus respond to this? Rage is invited by the imaging and it is easily justified but we know deeply within ourselves that it is the wrong response. We know that it is Christ at the table offering himself to sinners. We know that he is the lion making himself into a lamb.
Jesus went to the cross silently. Perhaps silence is the only response. He does not need our defense. He certainly does not need our rage. The table of Christ can be parodied by demons but the demons do not thereby occupy it.
The ultimate hypocrisy is pretending the Olympics are all-inclusive. It is the most elite gathering on earth. It is the apotheosis of meritocracy. No one comes to that table without being supreme. It is the essence of humanity to profane holy things. Let them beclown themselves unmolested. However, let them beware. One does not drink the cup without being consumed.
Every believer is aware that the table of the LORD has only one who is worthy. Every believer knows that we come to the table offering nothing but our sin. At the table we receive his grace. At the table we we receive toleration in the cause of transformation. No one who truly partakes can leave the same. So let them come. Let everyone come. Whosoever will, “Come!” If you drink the blood of demons you become demonic. If you truly drink the blood of Christ…Yes, indeed, “Come!”
France must be French and Jesus likewise must be Christ. In the kingdom the loser wins all.
Using the Last Supper as a prop to make a point is nothing new. For the older folks here read the book or go watch the original ‘Mash’ movie. It uses a depiction of the ‘Last Supper’ to help a Dentist who hadn’t had s*x and was worried.
If that isn’t historic enough, in the Louvre, across from the more famous Mona Lisa, is a huge picture known as the “Wedding Feast of Cana.” It depicts a lone Jesus surrounded by all sorts of things.
Having spent time walking through the Louvre I noticed most “religious” artwork use Jesus, NT Characters and stories as a prop for political comments of the day.
These days we have a TV show, ‘The Chosen’ doing the same thing.
The sexually perverted people use the religious to make their point. I have heard many times the love between David and Jonathan used to justify s*x between people.
However, maybe we all use and twist Biblical imagery, characters and stories to justify our own behaviors.
TMD,
I’d be interested to know how exactly ‘The Chosen’ is using “Jesus, NT Characters and stories as a prop for political comments of the day.”
Kevin
The Chosen spins the NT stories in a modern cultural thought. It is not an accurate representation of the 1st Century Israel and Judaism.
It is a religious drama.
Kevin
Don’t conflate or confuse political with only far left or right. Anytime there is more than one person things become political.
‘The Chosen’ should never be used as a basis for understanding a particular doctrine, Christian sect, denomination or biblical truth. It is a drama using the 1st Century Jesus and the NT stories to bring the show’s producers, writers and staff’s positions on current human cultural and political situations in a manner they believe their particular Christian faith teaches. They bring valid and good moral questions to light, and that is a good thing.
Do they strive to be fairly accurate? Maybe, but like most Western images of Jesus, the Disciples and stories, it isn’t meant to be an accurate depiction or even possibly Interpretation of what went on.
For instance I will always picture Moses as Charlton Heston and Jesus from ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told.’
Watch ‘The Chosen’ for the moral of the story.
TMD,
“It is a drama using the 1st Century Jesus and the NT stories to bring the show’s producers, writers and staff’s positions on current human cultural and political situations in a manner they believe their particular Christian faith teaches.”
Can you share some concrete examples where they have done this?
Thank you, Alex. It certainly helps to know what one is talking about before posting, as you illustrated so well for us! My daughter had a dual major in college; Art History and Communications. She also has post-graduate degree in Information Technology. And she’s a Christian! We raised our children to be Christian and to be well educated. We can’t just wipe out everything that came before us as Christians. Bible scholars know this, and it should be true in every context.
I didn’t see the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, so as a Christian, I don’t know what my emotional reaction would have been. I do know that there are some very unpleasant passages in the Old Testament that are very hard to read, but as a Christian I believe it is important for everyone to read the Bible in its entirety. There are passages in the Bible that aren’t meant for children as well.
The Olympics are meant for children.
Looks like someone has two big O’s
Olympics
OCD
Kevin
“ Can you share some concrete examples where they have done this?”
The first thing you should notice is over the season of “The Chosen” the writers have written more dialog, conversations and situations than is in the NT text. Word count alone is huge.
Second, here’s a quote from the Show,
“ When we chose to make tax collector Matthew one of The Chosen’s main characters, two incredibly important decisions were made: one, to portray Matthew as having Asperger’s Syndrome; and two, to cast Paras Patel to play him.
The results have humanized Matthew and drawn audiences to him beyond our expectations.”
If that doesn’t convince you I don’t know what will and therefore your question is really not asked with honesty. Maybe in the same manner as is depicted of the Pharisees in the Show.
TMD,
My questions were asked in complete honesty and yet your answers do not in any way answer the questions I asked.
Using your own exact words, I asked:
I’d be interested to know how exactly ‘The Chosen’ is using “Jesus, NT Characters and stories as a prop for political comments of the day.”
and,
“It is a drama using the 1st Century Jesus and the NT stories to bring the show’s producers, writers and staff’s positions on current human cultural and political situations in a manner they believe their particular Christian faith teaches.”
Can you share some concrete examples where they have done this?
Your first example is that the show’s writers add dialogue, conversations, and situations not included in the NT text. Okay, so in what way whatsoever does this give a concrete example displaying that they are using the characters as props to make political comments of the day or are showing their positions on current political situations? Your answer gives nothing of the sort in supporting your assertions that I quoted. There is only assumption or insinuation that by adding dialogue and situations they are doing this, but nothing that shows they are actually doing it.
Your second example is that the show admittedly gave Asperger’s Syndrome to Matthew in order to help humanize him. So again, what at all in this “concrete example” does this display the using of characters as a prop to make political comments of the day or shows the show’s creators and writers positions on current political situations? Again, this shows absolutely nothing in regards to your assertions about bringing in politics.
You may need to re-think your assertions that they are bringing in current day politics and also ask yourself why you, yourself, are reading politics into it, when you can’t actually even point out what these supposed politics are.
Kevin
If you can’t see the clearly cultural/political points and emphasis of the show by what the writers themselves say about it, well then you are lost in your own world of ideas and assertions.
You have clearly proven it by your absurd conflated questions neither designed to get an answer or dialog to further understand. Rather they (your questions) and your responses are designed to show your superiority, dominance and test the orthodoxy of others in comparison to your own.
Yep you are a modern day Pharisee.
PS If you are demanding exact examples of dialog, visual and other out of many seasons and episodes, well others have done that work. So here ya go, enjoy:
https://www.letstalknationblog.com/post/the-chosen-and-its-pride-controversy#:~:text=Many%20Christians%20questioned%2C%20%22What%20is,not%20detract%20from%20the%20gospel.
So why did you ask Jesus about His Disciples eating gathered grain on Shabbat?
TMD,
You answered Kevin’s specific question with an article decrying that a pride flag was seen on set…then call him a Pharisee.
You did not demonstrate that the aforementioned flag affected the shows content at all.
I have a low tolerance for this kind of argumentation…very,very, low…
TMD,
I don’t think you understand what a Pharisee is. Also, I don’t think you understand the simplicity of this process.
You made an assertion – The Chosen is bringing in current day politics into their show.
I asked you to support your assertion by giving examples or concrete evidence of this.
Yet all you have done is give examples that are not applicable to your assertion, or speak in generalities as if they definitely prove something (they do not – generalities never prove anything definitively). Even your latest attempt at an “exact example” fails to address your assertion that The Chosen is bringing politics into the show. So it is known that one person… yes, one… who works on the show is apparently a supporter of LGBTQ+ culture. What in the world does that prove anything as to what is actually in the show? – It doesn’t. Please point out to me how The Chosen in anyway whatsoever has brought LGBTQ+ issues into the show? You can’t, because it doesn’t.
So you can continue to make all kinds of accusations of me and my supposed motives (which I have not done to you – I have only continued to point out that you’re failing to support your assertions and are showing a lack of understanding), or you can actually look at the simple logic and reason of my question and your answers, and see that you have repeatedly failed to answer my question and support your assertions in any relevant way. And then you can again ask yourself why do you keep insisting that The Chosen has brought current day politics into it’s show, but cannot actually give a single example that demonstrates such.
And Michael is much more concise than me. 🙂
Kevin and Michael
Let’s be honest, your questions and responses don’t really indicate a desire to know how I actually feel about the Show at all. If you did you actually would ask, why do I feel that way about it?” Instead you want chapter and verse.
It seems to me, you immediately went into defense mode about the Show as you do with almost every topic presented here on PP.
Kevin to answer your insult about my knowledge of 1st Century Pharisees, well I may know more than you think.
The history is deep and continues to this day. However, let me put it this way, you seem more like the Shammai side of the debates than Hillel. Which may also answer the question of which school of thought the Pharisees were who asked about the grain came from.
Hey, I’m glad you asked about my feelings and impressions of ‘The Chosen.’
Hugely well written drama, great costumes and sets, I love the actor playing Jesus and yes they hit on culturally relevant material.
Has it drawn people to God and a confession of Jesus? I have no idea.
You two get the last word as always.
TMD,
You came and made not an expression of feelings about The Chosen, but rather an assertion of accusation against it. Believing your assertion to be incorrect, I asked you to give evidence to support it. Subsequently, you failed miserably at providing any evidence whatsoever to support your assertion.
Meanwhile, you get all up in arms about being questioned and start demeaning and attacking those who are questioning you. Then you want to turn it into a sob story that we didn’t instead ask what you “feel” about the show.
It is highly ironic that for someone who came here under the moniker, Too Much Drama, provoking the claim that there was too much drama here in the way we presented and discussed things, that you have taken the drama to even higher levels than they were before your presence.
All the more, as to the going into “defense mode” (as we supposedly do on almost every topic here), I can tell you that ordinarily I am very wary, if not outright critical of most Christian “entertainment”. However, I have found The Chosen to be much different than most, one of the main reasons being because it avoids the Christian and church politics and dogma that so much of other Christian entertainment gets itself mired in. So it was quite ironic when you came here making an accusation of the show for something that I am actually quite attuned to and find troublesome in many other Christian media entities, but not this one.
As for Michael, I doubt he has ever even watched one episode of the show, so he probably has little knowledge or experience to know if politics get dragged into the show or not and has no horse in the race, but yet he is able to spot and point out a baseless and ludicrous argument.
So one last time I ask you to ask yourself, why are you seeing politics somewhere where you cannot even point to one single example of the existence of said politics? I’ll give you a hint as to what may be the answer to the question – Partisan politics are poison to the soul.
Kevin,
I watched part of one episode…and nodded off.
I’m still waiting for TMD to answer your question…seems like it would be easy to point out.
It was probably those dreaded politics which caused you to nod off. 🙂