Paris 2024 organizers apologized on Sunday to Catholics and other Christian groups angered by the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. It began with a mockery of what appeared to be The Last Supper by a host of freakish people taking the place of Jesus Christ and the apostles. Drag queens, a transgender, and a […] The post Paris 2024 Gave an ‘Apology’ for Their Decadent Ceremony appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

NFL kicker Harrison Butker reacted to the controversial opening ceremonies of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, which featured what’s being seen as a parody of The Last Supper recreated by drag queens. The 29-year-old previously went viral in May for sharing his thoughts on the role of women during a commencement speech at a Catholic college in Kansas. Butker published his reactions on social media. “This is crazy,” he wrote on social media, following that with a Bible quote. He also quoted scripture on X, writing, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting.” “Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7-8 pic.twitter.com/bhCHoO1HXk — Harrison Butker (@buttkicker7) July 26, 2024 The clip he shared included a clip of the performance, which has been slammed on social media and eventually was removed from the official Olympics YouTube page following intense backlash. Besides the Last Supper parody, there were several other moments during the opening ceremony that led to strong reactions from viewers, including a headless Marie Antoinette and a “pale horse” which drew comparisons to the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Thomas Jolly, creative director of the opening ceremony depictions, had this to say about his vision. “The extraordinary thing is that everyone in France and the rest of the world has an idea of what France is all about. And I want to play with that, that’s where I want to start from – breaking down clichés, because clichés come along other things,” he said, according to the Olympics website. “Above all, I want this ceremony to include everyone. We must all celebrate this diversity,” Jolly added.  He also said, “I was overwhelmed at first. I wondered how I could create a show where everyone can feel represented as part of this great union. This responsibility was ambitious, complex, but magnificent for an artist.” Jolly continued, “When we watch ‘Emily in Paris’ or ‘Amélie Poulain,’ we know it’s not quite the real Paris. We’re going to play with all those cliches, but we’re also going to challenge them. Paris is also a vibrant youth. Different cultures rubbing shoulders in the streets. I’ll be fired if I tell you anything. All I can tell you is that it will be very meaningful for the artists that will perform.”

“Full House” actress Candace Cameron Bure shared her thoughts on the opening ceremonies for the 2024 Olympics in Paris. “Hi friends. So I didn’t really wanna weigh in on the Olympics opening ceremony publicly because… I always risk it becoming a headline. But it felt too important not to,” the 48-year-old star told followers during her video reaction posted to Instagram. “I love the Olympic Games,” she said, mentioning that her husband Valeri Bure, a retired professional hockey player, and several other family members were Olympic competitors.     View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Candace Cameron Bure (@candacecbure) “The Olympic Games have always brought me so much joy. It’s the best of the best athletes in the world competing for the title,” Bure went on.  “So to watch such an incredible and wonderful event that’s gonna take place over the next two weeks and see the opening ceremonies completely blaspheme and mock the Christian faith with their interpretation of the Last Supper was disgusting,” she said. “And it made me so sad. And someone said, ‘You shouldn’t be sad. You should be mad about it.’ And I’m like, ‘Trust me. It makes me mad.’ But I’m more sad, because I’m sad for souls,” she said.  The outspoken Christian star went on to quote Scripture, choosing the same passage that NFL star Harrison Butker mentioned in his social media reaction.  “I pray for my heart to break over what breaks God’s heart. And I just think about all the people that have rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ or don’t know the gospel of Jesus Christ. And in the Bible in Galatians [6:7-8] it says, ‘God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap. Because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh. But the one who sows to the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit.'” “So, what do we do with this?” Bure continued in her video reaction. “I want to continue, believers, with what Paul is saying here. He continues and says, ‘Let us not get tired of doing good. For we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.'” “So this is my encouragement to you,” the “Full House” alum continued. “Don’t get tired of doing good. Keep sharing the gospel. And it’s not just for the people that like openly mock God. There’s so many people – there’s Christians out there that say, ‘Well I’m a Christian, it didn’t really bother me.’ Those people need to hear the gospel too. It’s the ones that are lukewarm about it that may think like, ‘Ah – I don’t want to ruffle any feathers. Live and let live. Let people do what they want. I’m just gonna stay in my corner and be quiet about it.'” Bure went on to encourage followers to either boycott the Olympics or “support our athletes,” which was the path she chose.  “There are a lot of great Christian athletes competing as well, but I want to cheer them on. I want to see God getting the glory. And I’m gonna watch,” she said while pointing out that the athletes didn’t design the opening ceremony events. The actress mentioned in the post caption that some followers believed the opening ceremonies were not mocking Da Vinci’s famous “Last Supper” painting, but said she’s “not buying it” and doesn’t “see how that relates to unifying the world through competitive sports and [is] acceptable for children to watch.”

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM South Africa enacted its first Climate Change Act, a comprehensive law that aims to tackle climate change by limiting greenhouse gas emissions and mandating municipal adaptation plans. The act seeks to connect South Africa’s climate efforts with its commitments under the Paris Agreement. National responses to climate change President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Climate Change Bill into law, marking a watershed moment in the country’s environmental policies. The new legislation creates a framework for a national response to climate change, which includes both mitigation and adaptation activities. According to a press release from the South African government, these initiatives are South Africa’s “fair contribution to the global climate change response.” Brandon Abdinor, a lawyer with the South African nonprofit Centre for Environmental Rights, highlighted the importance of this development, stating, “This is very significant in that it’s the first time that our climate change response is directly brought into domestic law. A lot of work needs to be done, but this act puts the basic architecture in place for that to happen.” Mandatory adaptation plans The Climate Change Act mandates all provinces and municipalities to examine the risks posed by climate change and prepare appropriate response strategies. These actions are critical because climate change affects many sectors, including water resources, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, human health, energy, industry, and biodiversity. The press release stressed that these repercussions “will disproportionately affect poor communities and vulnerable groups” and may impede South Africa’s development goals, such as job creation and poverty reduction. Sector-specific emission targets Every high-emitting government sector, such as transportation, agriculture, and industry, will have its own emissions target set. Each sector’s relevant minister will be in charge of implementing actions to meet these aims. Additionally, the Climate Change Act requires the environment minister to establish a carbon budget for large corporations, capping their emissions over particular periods. While carbon budget allocations have yet to be determined, Abdinor pointed out that it is not yet unlawful to violate these limitations, which is a source of disagreement among climate supporters. However, enterprises that exceed their budgets would most certainly face greater carbon taxes as a result. Increasing climate resilience The act intends to improve South Africa’s ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and strengthen climate resilience. It aims to reduce the danger of job loss while increasing opportunities in the burgeoning green economy. The legislation also harmonizes climate change response measures to ensure a smooth transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy and society. Harald Winkler, a climate policy expert at the University of Cape Town, urged active participation in the new law, saying, “The Climate Change Act is a tool for all South Africans. We call on citizens, businesses, and civil society to engage actively in using this law to push for urgent climate action. The Climate Change Act enshrines principles of equity and just transition. Let’s use this to prioritize the needs of vulnerable communities in our climate response.” South Africa’s Climate Change Act is an important step forward in the country’s attempts to tackle climate change. The law establishes explicit emissions objectives and requires local adaptation plans, creating a strong framework for lowering greenhouse gas emissions and developing resilience to climate impacts. This landmark legislation encourages all South Africans to actively shape a more sustainable and equitable future.The post South Africa enacts historic climate change act first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Summer vacation presents an excellent opportunity for children to disconnect from their digital gadgets and participate in stimulating screen-free activities… But anyone with kids these days will know that getting them to embrace this chance is quite the challenge. Parents can help their children transition from screen time to playtime by implementing effective tactics that promote creativity, physical activity, and real-world connections. Here are ten practical ways to give your kids a wonderful, summer, the old-fashioned way. 1. Establish clear screen time limits. Setting rigorous screen time limitations is key. Determine an appropriate amount of screen time per week and communicate it clearly to your children. For example, you might allow an hour of screen time on Sunday mornings or 15 minutes in the evening while dinner is being prepared. Consistency is critical—follow the rules to avoid endless negotiations and arguments. By setting clear limits, you let kids know what you expect of them and give them more freedom to choose alternative activities. 2. Confiscate the devices. Sometimes the greatest method to limit screen time is to eliminate the temptation entirely. Turn off iPads, phones, and extra laptops and store them out of sight. Unplug the television or, if necessary, cancel your cable subscription. By removing screens from the surroundings, children will be encouraged to seek out other forms of entertainment and creativity. 3. Get kids cooking Assign daily or weekly recipes to children to encourage them to help prepare meals. Cooking may be fun-time but it could also be a learning moment, allowing kids to hone their chopping, cooking, and baking skills. This will keep them occupied while also providing them with excellent prepared meals and a sense of achievement. 4. Sign up for lessons. Investigate local camps and classes that can keep your child’s time productive. Swimming, art lessons, tennis, and sports camps all offer scheduled activities and opportunities for socialization. During the summer, many communities offer a range of programs to ensure that there is something for every child’s interest. 5. Create a reading routine. Visit the library on a regular basis to replenish your children’s reading materials. Allowing youngsters to choose their own books fosters enthusiasm for reading. Create a warm reading nook in your home, whether it’s a hammock on the porch or a comfy area in the living room. Encouraging a love of reading not only provides a screen-free activity but also benefits cognitive development. 6. Have a kid swap with friends. Coordinate with other parents to swap children for playdates. For example, one day per week, all of the children can spend time at your house and another at a friend’s house. This alleviates the stress on each parent while keeping children amused with fresh playmates and circumstances. Establish safe travel routes for older children so they can visit friends’ houses alone. 7. Set a daily minimum for outdoor time. Set a minimum amount of outdoor time per day, whether it’s one hour or four. Crafting and reading, as well as sports and environment exploration, are all examples of outdoor activities. The idea is to make it a habit to spend time outside, take in fresh air, and move their bodies. 8. Incorporate microadventures. Microadventures are brief, impromptu excursions that fit into an average day. Plan an early-morning trek and breakfast picnic, or a weeknight camping trip with a bonfire and s’mores. These small but engaging activities break up the routine and create unforgettable experiences without requiring long periods. 9. Assign household chores. Doing jobs around the house should be added to your kids’ daily routines. Older children can assist with duties such as dishwashing, hanging clothes, vacuuming, and recycling. Outdoor tasks such as weeding the garden, watering plants, and mowing the lawn keep children engaged and busy. Plus, contributing to household maintenance instills responsibility and time management. 10. Create a challenge. Encourage children to take on a summer task, such as learning to ride a unicycle, perfecting skateboard tricks, or constructing a treehouse. These tasks offer a sense of purpose. Other projects might include opening a home bakery or lemonade stand, practicing chess, or making a DVD about their summer exploits. Challenges keep children engaged, teach them practical skills, and provide a sense of accomplishment. By putting these methods into practice, children will be able to limit screen time and participate in more engaging and useful activities. Parents can help their children have a healthy and satisfying summer by setting clear limits, providing alternatives, and encouraging creativity and physical activity. This digital detox not only minimizes screen time but also develops skills and memories that will benefit youngsters long after the summer is over.The post 10 effective ways to get kids off screens this summer first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'God, are you serious? Are you serious?'

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