Power outage in Paris? Netizens link blackout to mocking of Christianity at Olympics opening ceremony (WATCH)
By Sunita Iyer | First Published Jul 28, 2024, 10:01 AM ISTNumerous users on X have posted videos and pictures suggesting that Paris has been plunged into darkness following a supposed blackout amidst the ongoing Olympics.
Social media has erupted with claims that Paris has been struck by a major power outage, though official confirmation is still pending. Numerous users on X (formerly known as Twitter) have posted videos and pictures suggesting that the city has been plunged into darkness following a supposed blackout. However, amid the widespread blackout, the light continued to shine brightly upon the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus also known as the Sacre-Coeur, creating a striking and symbolic image against the night sky.
During the power outage in Paris, notice the thing that’s still fully lit: Sacre Coeur Church.
Zoom in on the dark photo.
Incredible find by , especially in context of the Olympics anti-Christian opening. pic.twitter.com/g1KPRzrone
: Olympic Games city of Paris faces a massive blackout a day after the inauguration. pic.twitter.com/iaD7xDUHot
— upuknews (@upuknews1)Pitch darkness Massive power outage in Paris pic.twitter.com/9LREV1ZIfJ
— S p r i n t e r (@SprinterFamily)The rumored outage comes just 24 hours after the controversial opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics, which many have criticized for mocking Christianity. The ceremony featured a segment with a 'naked blue man' in a scene some likened to the Last Supper, sparking outrage among Christians. This controversy has led to the trending hashtags #boycottOlympics and #boycottParis2024.
Whoa!!! There goes their story about the Paris power outage being caused by a random transformer accident…
Look at the clock at the top left. At exactly 23:00:00 the power goes out.
That’s a hack yall 👀 pic.twitter.com/BswoTLFhh0
🔥🚨BREAKING: The World Olympics organizers have removed the opening ceremony from YouTube due to the recent backlash.
The final straw appears to have been the dancing naked blue man featured in the 2024 World Olympic Games opening ceremony who was seen singing his single “Nu”… pic.twitter.com/ODwryNpsXz
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The segment, which the Olympic Games' official X account described as an "interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus," has been widely condemned. Dionysus, the Greek god of fertility, bears no relevance to the Last Supper, further fueling the backlash. French actor and singer Philippe Katerine, who portrayed the controversial part, dismissed the critics, stating, "It wouldn't be fun if there were no controversy. Wouldn't it be boring if everyone agreed on this planet?"
The opening of the Olympics in France recreated the Last Supper with an overweight woman as Jesus, a naked man painted blue, drag queens, and a child as disciples. Why is it acceptable to mock Christianity? And why is it suddenly the in thing to do?
pic.twitter.com/qiPuboYBRC
The French Catholic Church and international figures have also voiced their disapproval. The Conference of French Bishops released a statement deploring the mockery, while US Catholic Bishop Robert Barron expressed his dismay online, criticizing the depiction as a "gross mockery" of a central moment in Christianity.
"I love the Olympics, so I turn on the opening ceremony of the Olympics. This ceremony has unfortunately included scenes of derision and mockery of Christianity, which we very deeply deplore. And what do I see now? It's in Paris, France, a city I love, I spent three years as a doctoral student there," Barron said.
"I see this gross mockery of the last supper and I won't describe it any further. France felt evidently as it's trying to put its best cultural foot forward, that the right thing to do is to mock this very central moment in Christianity where Jesus at his last supper gives his body and blood in anticipation of the cross. It's presented through this gross or flippant mockery. France which used to be called the oldest daughter of the church," he added.
Many attendees were also displeased with the subsequent performance by the French heavy metal band Gojira, who played "Ah! Ca Ira," a popular song from the French Revolution. The band was joined by opera singer Marina Viotti and featured numerous beheaded figures representing the executed Queen Marie Antoinette.
In addition to the ceremony, the Paris Olympics have been plagued by other issues. Travel chaos ensued on the first day due to a 'massive arson attack' on the rail network, causing significant delays and impacting around 800,000 passengers. Fires at key installations halted trains and disrupted services at major stations, including the Gare du Nord, the main Eurostar station in Paris.
Heavy showers have further exacerbated the situation, forcing the postponement of several sporting events. Amid these challenges, the opening ceremony managed to draw significant viewership, with 28.6 million US viewers tuning in, according to preliminary data from Comcast's NBCUniversal.
As Paris grapples with these disruptions, the power outage rumors have added to the city's woes. While many videos and pictures online suggest a widespread blackout, doubts have been cast over their authenticity. Nonetheless, the symbolism of the alleged blackout following the controversial ceremony has resonated with many, leading to a flurry of reactions online.
"A major power outage / blackout has struck Paris. This comes just 24 hours after Christianity was mocked during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics. God will NOT be mocked," wrote one user on X.
Another added, "Paris thrust into complete darkness. Massive power outage hits Olympics. God didn’t think y’all’s little show was very funny."
A third user remarked, "Major power outage hitting Paris right now. God works in mysterious ways."
Here's a look at some of the reactions on X:
🚨 Major power outage hitting Paris right now.
God works in mysterious ways 🙌 pic.twitter.com/cX9wfSysq8
BREAKING: A major power outage / blackout has struck Paris.
This comes just 24 hours after Christianity was mocked during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics.
God will NOT be mocked. 🙏✝️ pic.twitter.com/vTDm8lyC9b
🚨🇫🇷BREAKING: Power Outage Hits Paris 24h After Olympics Ceremony!
Parts of Paris are experiencing total blackouts tonight, the reason is still unknown. The first clip below shows the moment of the outage.
God had enough with the Olympics satanism.💪 pic.twitter.com/nmlSmA59Y0
🇫🇷: MAJOR POWER OUTAGE IN PARIS!
This comes the day after the Olympic opening ceremonies featured transgenders, drag queens, a gay Smurf, and men with their testicles hanging out in front of children, mocking Jesus and Christianity.
Is this just a coincidence? 🤔✝️ pic.twitter.com/C0ltw20kU2
Paris experienced a power outage tonight, but the light continued to shine brightly upon the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
After yesterday’s blasphemous Olympic ceremony, could there be a more fitting symbol of how the light of Christ can’t be overcome by the darkness? pic.twitter.com/RIV7MK7z6e
Power outage all over Paris.
Lights only at Sacre Coeur.
You couldn't make this up. pic.twitter.com/LC7S0SnnRm
Paris is under attack … total darkness during power outage
This blue weirdo is to blame ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/Q7G54vWYcy
BREAKING REPORT: Massive power outages strike Paris during Olympic games..
GOD ALWAYS WINS.. pic.twitter.com/XmFgeXgmh4
🚨BREAKING: Reports of a massive power outage in Paris currently.
Jesus has spoken!
What's your reaction? pic.twitter.com/t6IbOxMFiw
🚨🇫🇷BREAKING: Power Outage Hits Paris 24h After Olympics Ceremony!
Parts of Paris are experiencing total blackouts tonight, the reason is still unknown. The first clip below shows the moment of the outage.
God had enough with the Olympics satanism.💪 pic.twitter.com/nmlSmA59Y0
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