While this specific part of what was an exceptionally boring overall opening ceremony has produced an apology to Christians from the organisers, the Christian Churches should not rest on any laurels, but should now build on this brief part of Christian unity which they have achieved.
What the Christian Churches must not do is follow my example when I attended a concert in Newcastle Upon Tyne by the hard-hitting, controversial comedian Jimmy Carr.
Ironically, Carr made a relevant point during his performance when ‘having a go’ at the Christian faith when he posed the serious question - what are you going to do?
Theologically, Carr has hit the nail on the head. Society can poke fun and even ridicule Christianity, but Christians in the 21st century seem powerless, or unwilling, to fight back.
Historically, Christianity over the centuries since the death and resurrection of Christ have had some pretty ruthless kickbacks - the Crusades of the Middle Ages, the Spanish Inquisition, and the Puritan witch finder trials to name but three.
Indeed, modern day television sitcoms have also had a field day with the Christian denominations from All Gas and Gaiters in the Sixties in terms of the Anglican Communion, to Father Ted for the Catholic Church, and the Protestant fundamentalist Pastor Begbie in Give My Head Peace, not to mention the bumbling vicar in the Dad’s Army TV series.
So where do the Christian Churches go having gained a token victory with an apology over the controversial section of the Paris Olympics’ opening? The reality check is that Christian denominations must not now revert to their age-old tradition of ridiculing each others’ theology with rows over petty differences, such as women wearing hats to worship, which translation of the Bible to use, and what musical instruments should be used in places of worship.
Here on The Pensive Quill, I’ve argued the case for Christian unity in terms of a common cause to which all denominations can sign up to.
While the deplorable scenes depicted in the Paris Olympics opening ceremony has caused a sizeable backlash in the Christian community, we should not forget the Christians athletes who have taken part with honour in the actual Olympics themselves.
The strategy which Christianity must adopt is to ensure that such scenes depicted in the opening ceremony are never repeated again. An apology is not enough. Society needs to understand that there will be severe consequences if the Christian faith is mocked like this again.
After all, if Jewish ceremonies had been mocked, it would be branded as anti-semitism; if the Muslim faith was mocked, it would be Islamophobia, with the more fundamentalist Islamics resorting to a terror campaign.
If Hinduism, Sikhism or the faith of the Roma community was mocked, it would be regarded as racism. Theologically liberal Christianity has pushed the ‘God Is Love’ agenda so hard that no one is scared of a backlash from Christians should the faith be mocked.
As a faith, Christians need to remember the Biblical New Testament example of Jesus Christ Himself when he confronted the money changers in the temple. He took positive action and physically threw them out of the temple.
I am not suggesting that Christians resort to violence and adopt the terror tactics of militant Islam, or revert to the draconian methods of the Inquisition or Puritan witch finders. In following Christ’s example in the temple, Christianity must lay to rest that it is a ‘roll over and lie down’ faith.
Many Christians are quite content to regard such displays as the Paris Olympics opening ceremony as further evidence that we are theologically in the ‘end days’ before the Second Coming of Christ and that we Christians should just accept this persecution.
However, if we do not follow Christ’s example and defend our faith, a time will come when worshipping in church or even preaching the Gospel as part of open air evangelism will be banned completely.
Using only democratic means, the situation must be created that those who wish to mock our Christian faith will think twice before attempting anything for fear of a Christian backlash.
In practical action terms, it means getting more evangelical Christians involved in politics whereby legislation can be passed which prevents such mocking rituals from happening in the future.
 |
| Follow Dr John Coulter on Twitter @JohnAHCoulter Listen to commentator Dr John Coulter’s programme, Call In Coulter, every Saturday morning around 10.15 am on Belfast’s Christian radio station, Sunshine 1049 FM. Listen online. |
There is no right for Christians to be offended by the opening Olympic ceremony nor can any other philosophical formation bear a similar right
ReplyDeleteAnd if they were offended so what? It's just a whinge.
DeleteI watched the opening ceremony and thought it was gaudy woke shite, and a world away from the taste and elegance the last time the French held an Olympics in 92. But maybe I'm just getting older.
Laïcité is an admirable concept, much more worthy of defending than religious opinions. I think Muslims have been targeted by French laws more harshly than the Christians. People should never be persecuted for their religious opinion. They should be allowed to practice it on themselves but not on anybody who does not want practiced on. And it should be kept well away from the public policy sphere.
DeleteSteve, the 1992 Olympics were held in Barcelona
ReplyDeleteYes I know, that's I said the French held "..an Olympics". They held the Winter Olympics in Albertville in 1992.
Delete