Turkish President Calls on Pope to Condemn "Perverse Propaganda" at Olympic Games
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Pope Francis to join him in condemning what he believes is "perverse propaganda" displayed at the Olympic Games’ opening ceremony. The ceremony featured dancers and drag queens reminiscent of the Last Supper, which sparked backlash from critics, including Erdogan, Catholic groups, and US presidential candidate Donald Trump.
Organizers claimed the scene aimed to portray a pagan feast, but Erdogan alleged that under the guise of freedom of expression, human dignity was trampled underfoot, and religious and moral values were ridiculed. The Turkish presidency stated in a statement that Erdogan believed "the undermining of religious values, the perverse propaganda and the moral collapse into which the world is drifting with the Olympic Games" was intolerable.
Erdogan was initially set to attend the ceremony but cited a warning from his granddaughter as a reason for his decision to pull out. It’s worth noting that the Turkish leader has previously criticized Turkey’s LGBTQ community and their rights.
The dispute has sparked debate about the blurred lines between artistic expression and religious intolerance, and whether the Olympic Games have become a platform for political messages rather than a celebration of athletic achievement.
Turkish President Erdogan’s strong reaction to the opening ceremony, and his appeal to the Pope to denounce the "immorality," raises questions about the role of morality in modern society and the balance between individual freedoms and collective values.
