Skillet frontman John Cooper has vocally criticized the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony for featuring a performance he deemed disrespectful to Christianity. In a video shared on Instagram, Cooper condemned the inclusion of drag queens and dancers in a segment he described as a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic painting, *The Last Supper*. He accused the Olympics of mocking Christianity and denounced what he views as the agenda of “global elites” who he claims are promoting values he finds objectionable.
Cooper’s reaction was strongly negative, framing the performance as part of a broader cultural shift he opposes. He argued that the depiction of religious themes in such a manner is not a reflection of genuine tolerance but rather a form of mockery. “Let me explain this to you,” he stated in his video, “This is what tolerance looks like in the new world.” He suggested that such performances are indicative of a wider agenda to undermine traditional values and beliefs, particularly targeting younger audiences. Cooper expressed his frustration with what he perceives as an assault on Western civilization’s moral and cultural foundations.
The opening ceremony’s performance featured Nicky Doll from *RuPaul’s Drag Race*, Paloma, Piche, and other models and performers. They recreated *The Last Supper* on the Passerelle Debilly bridge, an act the Olympics described as an interpretation of the Greek god Dionysus. According to the official explanation, the performance aimed to highlight the absurdity of violence among humans and was not intended to be a direct mockery of Christianity but rather an artistic commentary.
Despite this, Cooper’s reaction underscores a significant cultural clash, reflecting broader debates about the intersection of art, religion, and public entertainment. His comments resonate with those who feel that modern cultural expressions often challenge traditional values in ways that they find troubling. This controversy illustrates the tension between evolving artistic freedoms and longstanding religious and cultural sensitivities.
