Beautiful Egypt 566 – «When Freedoms Are Insulted, We Are All Insulted!» – 31/7/2024

“But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8); I was reminded of these words of the Lord Jesus, which warn of the dangers that humanity will face and lurk around us day after day, as I was reading comments on the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in France. Despite the excruciating pain, that shatters the heart, felt by Christians, and indeed all believers in the world, as they watched the utmost contempt for the holy and religious symbols in that ceremony, I was not very surprised! Yes, for the forces of evil seek tirelessly and relentlessly in a stream of attempts to draw people away from God; the scripture says, “knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts” (2 Peter 3:3), “Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason, God gave them up to vile passions.” (Romans 1:22-26).

Since the primal transgression, the devil has had no other goal than to drag people with him on a journey to the abyss; therefore, the scripture warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

What is interesting about this matter is the use of the word “freedom” to justify what they permit themselves of insulting actions!! Does freedom mean insulting others?!!! Is freedom justified by undermining the dignity of people and attacking their faith and sanctities?!!! Any freedom, no matter how great and vast, is limited and confined by not infringing on the freedoms of others, and as they say, “Your freedom ends where the freedom of others begins.” And insulting others is, in essence, captivity and imprisonment! Yes, for the offender is not truly free, but is a prisoner of himself, a captive of his thoughts, a slave to his emotions, which lead him astray into misguided and hateful actions. And as for those who accepted or welcomed those insults behind the curtain of freedoms, they, by accepting these behaviors, do not consecrate freedoms, but are far removed from the meaning of freedom and have never tasted it!! Here I am reminded of the words of the African leader Nelson Mandela: “To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” That ceremony is far removed from true freedom, which elevates itself above error and sin, to take it far into a swamp of vulgar insults that stain its pure garment and defile its pristine white robe.

Therefore, I am intrigued by a question for the organizers of the ceremony: what is the similarity, or the relationship, between sports and Christian or other religious sanctities, in a ceremony watched by the world, in which teams from all over the world participate with different cultures and religions, including atheists and others?!!! Does this reflect the meaning of civilization and respecting people’s dignity and humanity? Or is it a bullying in disguise, hidden behind the robe of torn and tattered freedom?!!! The messages of that ceremony were nothing but insulting fiery arrows aimed, not only at the religions, but at the entire human world.

Henceforth, it is necessary to point out that those insults witnessed by billions of people are rejected by every person who understands the true meaning of humanity. For global infuriation is increasing day by day following what was seen about the imitation of “The Last Supper” using transgender characters, and what it presented of shocking sexual innuendos!!! Angry comments poured in, such as: “This is unacceptable, disrespectful, and disgraceful!” Thus, a number of countries have risen up, demanding an apology to the entire world.

The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games has raised a reminder to us of the Lord Jesus’ words: “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” (Mark 13:33), “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Revelation 3:10); We must not forget the divine commandment that St. Paul has given us: “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock…Therefore watch”(Acts 20:28-29, 31).  

Let us pray and ask God to preserve the world and save it from that prowling lion who wants to devour it using … and … talks of “Beautiful Egypt” are endless….

The General Bishop President of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center