Remember during the Summer Olympics opening ceremony when conservative Christians were over-the-top offended by what they thought was making fun of the Last Supper? This was my response to that.
Oh, bless their trembling spirits—Christians clutching pearls over the Olympics, as if Zeus borrowed the Upper Room for a kegger and Jesus forgot to RSVP.
Joe, you're not wrong. But you stopped just short of the divine roast these tantrums deserve.
Let’s be honest: the only thing more fragile than the average American Christian’s faith is their Wi-Fi signal. The opening ceremony could feature a plate of hummus and they'd be in the comments screaming "BLASPHEMY!" because it wasn’t served with Wonder Bread and a MAGA flag.
You’re right that offense is a choice. But it’s also a drug—cheap, legal, and handed out in church bulletins next to the “pray for rain” requests and bullet points about why drag queens are somehow more dangerous than assault rifles.
The irony? These folks worship a brown-skinned, foot-washing, empire-resisting rabbi who said, “turn the other cheek”—and they interpret that as, “punch first in the name of liberty.”
If the sight of performance art referencing Dionysus makes your theology collapse, your theology might have the structural integrity of a Walmart folding chair.
Anyway, I salute your Appalachian wisdom and the Elsa reference. But let’s not forget: Jesus didn’t just say “let it go”—he flipped tables. Sometimes love is offensive. Especially to empire. Especially when it’s drunk on its own reflection.
May your sandals be dusty, your ego exfoliated, and your sacred cows served medium-rare at the next opening ceremony.
I remember all the bat shit craziness over this. But, thankfully I also saw people on FB trying to calm the crazies down with what they had ACTUALLY seen be recreated. (I didn't watch the ceremony myself.) So I was only cofused for a nanosecond. Though I could see how parallels were drawn, sadly. It also doesn't surprize me how quickly we can make ourselves look more like Pharisees when an offense is made, because I see it in myself. Thankful for the grace of Jesus. I'm working on it.
You've just touched on some things I've been going through and I'm glad to have read what you wrote, because it has reinforced decisions I have made. Recent decisions.
Just as a reminder to some who might not understand. Being offended can be a choice, but when one is bullied, that is not a choice. When one is harassed, that is not a choice. But the decisions one makes in reacting to those abusive behaviors are a choice.
The idea that being offended is a choice is an important message. Thank you.
It’s ironic what we get offended at or outraged by. Straining a gnat but swallowing a camel!
Oh, bless their trembling spirits—Christians clutching pearls over the Olympics, as if Zeus borrowed the Upper Room for a kegger and Jesus forgot to RSVP.
Joe, you're not wrong. But you stopped just short of the divine roast these tantrums deserve.
Let’s be honest: the only thing more fragile than the average American Christian’s faith is their Wi-Fi signal. The opening ceremony could feature a plate of hummus and they'd be in the comments screaming "BLASPHEMY!" because it wasn’t served with Wonder Bread and a MAGA flag.
You’re right that offense is a choice. But it’s also a drug—cheap, legal, and handed out in church bulletins next to the “pray for rain” requests and bullet points about why drag queens are somehow more dangerous than assault rifles.
The irony? These folks worship a brown-skinned, foot-washing, empire-resisting rabbi who said, “turn the other cheek”—and they interpret that as, “punch first in the name of liberty.”
If the sight of performance art referencing Dionysus makes your theology collapse, your theology might have the structural integrity of a Walmart folding chair.
Anyway, I salute your Appalachian wisdom and the Elsa reference. But let’s not forget: Jesus didn’t just say “let it go”—he flipped tables. Sometimes love is offensive. Especially to empire. Especially when it’s drunk on its own reflection.
May your sandals be dusty, your ego exfoliated, and your sacred cows served medium-rare at the next opening ceremony.
In irreverent reverence,
Virgin Monk Boy
I remember all the bat shit craziness over this. But, thankfully I also saw people on FB trying to calm the crazies down with what they had ACTUALLY seen be recreated. (I didn't watch the ceremony myself.) So I was only cofused for a nanosecond. Though I could see how parallels were drawn, sadly. It also doesn't surprize me how quickly we can make ourselves look more like Pharisees when an offense is made, because I see it in myself. Thankful for the grace of Jesus. I'm working on it.
You've just touched on some things I've been going through and I'm glad to have read what you wrote, because it has reinforced decisions I have made. Recent decisions.
Just as a reminder to some who might not understand. Being offended can be a choice, but when one is bullied, that is not a choice. When one is harassed, that is not a choice. But the decisions one makes in reacting to those abusive behaviors are a choice.
You are a sanctimonious moron. But please don't be offended.
For me you shared wisdom and insight. If someone is offended that you were 'preaching' so be it. It was music to my ears.