Olympics – Protest? Who does it hurt?

Was it messed up? Was it a persecution of Christians? Was it blasphemy? Was it Greek culture in art that got misconstrued? Was I offended? Were you?

Unless you are living off the grid, and even then, you have heard about the controversial portions of the Olympic opening ceremonies. And if you are online at all (which by reading this you are) than you have seen click baits and links to opinion a many. Some are calling for us to ‘let it go’ and some are calling for ‘burn it down.’ I will let you go down which ever avenue you decide.

What I want to discuss is a secondary result to boycotting the Olympics. I ask the question, “Who would it hurt?” There over 10,000 participants. (This is a little under the 11,238 record set in Rio!). There are over 200 countries represented (which is more than the number of countries represented in the United Nations!) There is even a category of Refugees without a Country.

I really didn’t appreciate all that France offered in the opening ceremony. I thought some was tasteless, amoral, and not necessary for it didn’t really deal with sports or the host nation of France itself. But I did like some … Celine, laser show, history, national comradeship, and more.

So let’s get back to the issue of a boycott, “Who would it hurt?” Did NBC put the show together? Did the athletes have a word in the program? Did the citizens of France have input at all? And would any large group of people not watching the NBC presentations impact their bottom line and the direction of their sports broadcasting after the Olympics?

Let’s look at a different angle to this topic. Have you ever been to a church and something set you off so you decide never to go back to church? I am not dealing with theological heresy and you just find a church that stays true to the Word. I mean you don’t go back there or anywhere?

Too many people get turned off to the church because their feelings were hurt, even if they were in the right. And while the relationship factor is important, you shouldn’t get totally turned off to an international organization because of one person’s mishap. A disagreement happens. An expectation wasn’t met. A church leader blows it. And the issue may or may not be serious.

But let’s say the issue is not covered up and that it is dealt with, why would you expect people to stay away. For staying away is not healthy for the one ‘boycotting’ church (Hebrews 10:25) and not good for the church as well. We need the church, and the church needs us. Boycotting because of the spat hurts others too.

So, back to my thoughts on the Olympics. I think boycotting the Olympics would hurt the athletes. They have put hours and years of training, often most of their life. This is everything to them … and the stupidity of the French Olympic Committee artists shouldn’t impact the other nations players.

Now, I am not saying we don’t voice our point of view. I am not saying don’t respond. As a Christian, I think it is a great topic to talk about what is appropriate and what isn’t. And I think we should be able to give an answer to what God’s Word shows us. But always in grace and for God’s glory, not ours.

---

Please note, this is not about boycotts in totality. Sometimes that might be the proper response. But I would rather be known for ‘what I stand for …. not what I am against.’

What about you?