Paris Olympics draws ire for racy depictions and LGBT content
The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris is drawing the ire of Christians and their supporters around the world. The Opening Ceremony according to its director was an artistic expression to honor the game’s Greek heritage. The ceremony featured LGBT segments, and racy content, including a depiction of Leonardo Di Vinci’s painting “The Last Supper”, featuring drag queens. ‘The Last Supper’ depicts Christ and the disciples prior to Christ’s crucifixion. Critics swiftly called for boycotts and criticized the segment calling it distasteful and disrespectful to Christians around the world. Officials with the International Olympic Committee issued an apology in part saying they did not mean to offend anyone. Those involved in the segment claimed the live recreation was of ‘The Feast of Dionysus’, also known as ‘The Feast of the Gods painted by Dutch artist Jan Van Bijlert in the mid-1600s. Dionysus was a god worshiped in Ancient Greece. This Greek god was the god of frenzy, festivities, spiritual ecstasy, wine, and alcohol. The segment also featured a nude singer covered in flowers and fake prosthetics. Critics called the Opening Games, “woke, sexually charged” and that organizers failed to acknowledge that the Olympics tends to be a family friendly television event. Meaning young children may have been exposed to this adult content during prime-time television.
A pro-life protestor has been sentenced to jail time
A pro-life protestor has been sentenced to jail time for violating a New York state law. According to reports, Bevelyn Beatty Williams was sentenced for protesting in front a New York City abortion clinic. Beatty-Williams was arrested for violating the New York state Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. Beatty-Williams asked for leniency; the prosecutors and judge presiding over the case noted her previous charges for similar protests in three other cities. After being found guilty Ms. Beatty-Williams was sentenced to three years and five months in prison. There has been a rise in arrests of pro-life demonstrators at abortion clinics here in the U.S. Several have been recently sentenced to prison time for violations of federal laws for blocking entrances and access to abortion clinics.
Israel’s Prime Minister receives praise & criticism during US visit
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the US was deemed a success. The Prime Minister’s visit comes during that nation’s fight with two terrorists’ groups. The Prime Minister’s visit is seen as an effort to push for continued support from the United States, one of Israel’s biggest allies. Netanyahu received 57 standing ovations before Congress during his speech. The speech was marred with controversy as several congressmen who opposed Netanyahu speaking at a joint session of Congress voiced their opposition to his speech. The visit also sparked anti-Israel protests. The Prime Minister’s visit included meetings with former president Donald Trump and the Biden administration.
SNBC Health report: the nation’s top doctor and an expert psychiatrist are raising the alarm concerning a rising health issue.
According to the US Surgeon General loneliness is becoming a public health threat. Dr. Vivek Murthy says that people struggling with loneliness and isolation, especially since 2020 during COVID-19, has been on the rise. Dr. Murthy compared the effects of loneliness on the body to the same as smoking and obesity. Dr. Daniel Amen adds that social media is a part of the problem for young people. Amen says that this level of disconnect could lead to mental health and brain health issues over time. The doctor offered one major piece of advice: go back to church. Dr. Amen says that getting involved in the local church adds fulfillment by volunteering and building community, along with person-to person interactions. These are keys he calls important and says there’s no better place to build a sense of community than in a church. According to studies those who attend church have a better sense of community, lower risk of depression and suicide, less stress and longer life expectancy. The Bible reads in Hebrews 10:25 in the Amplified: “Not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.”