So Pussy Riot got sentenced today to 2 years. On receiving the sentence they declared that they had won. Is it just me or are the parallels too much to ignore?
So far from being blasphemous Pussy Riot have protested in a way very similar to the biblical pattern. They performed a dissenting act in a place that should be a house of prayer and has become an arm of oppression. The powers that be heard about it and are seeking to oppose them because they are afraid of them and the crowd that is listening to them.
The actual song they sung calls on Mary which (leaving aside my protestant misgivings) I also believe to be theologically very insightful. I've been thinking a lot recently about the fact that the names Mary and Miriam mean rebel. Both are often painted as submissive, nice and obedient and these caricatures are then used to keep women in their place. But when you read these stories on their own terms, not the terms of patriarchy, both women creatively resist and rebel against said patriarchy.
So not only is Mary a feminist, I think God is and God a dissenting protesting one at that.
Bellow are the lyrics, minus one line which I can't reprint 'cause it is blasphemous, but the spirit of this protest cannot in the light of the gospel be described as blasphemous, while apathy and colluding can.
Punk-Prayer "Virgin Mary, Put Putin Away"
(choir)
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away
Рut Putin away, put Putin away
(end chorus) ...
Black robe, golden epaulettes
All parishioners crawl to bow
The phantom of liberty is in heaven
Gay-pride sent to Siberia in chains
The head of the KGB, their chief saint,
Leads protesters to prison under escort
In order not to offend His Holiness
Women must give birth and love
(Chorus)
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, become a feminist
Become a feminist, become a feminist
(end chorus)
The Church’s praise of rotten dictators
The cross-bearer procession of black limousines
A teacher-preacher will meet you at school
Go to class - bring him money!
Patriarch Gundyaev believes in Putin
Bitch, better believe in God instead
The belt of the Virgin can’t replace mass-meetings
Mary, Mother of God, is with us in protest!
(Chorus)
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away
Рut Putin away, put Putin away
Mark 11:15-18
15 Then they *came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling [b]doves; 16 and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. 17 And He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘ My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.” 18 The chief priests and the scribes heard this, and began seeking how to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, for the whole crowd was astonished at His teaching.
So far from being blasphemous Pussy Riot have protested in a way very similar to the biblical pattern. They performed a dissenting act in a place that should be a house of prayer and has become an arm of oppression. The powers that be heard about it and are seeking to oppose them because they are afraid of them and the crowd that is listening to them.
The actual song they sung calls on Mary which (leaving aside my protestant misgivings) I also believe to be theologically very insightful. I've been thinking a lot recently about the fact that the names Mary and Miriam mean rebel. Both are often painted as submissive, nice and obedient and these caricatures are then used to keep women in their place. But when you read these stories on their own terms, not the terms of patriarchy, both women creatively resist and rebel against said patriarchy.
So not only is Mary a feminist, I think God is and God a dissenting protesting one at that.
Bellow are the lyrics, minus one line which I can't reprint 'cause it is blasphemous, but the spirit of this protest cannot in the light of the gospel be described as blasphemous, while apathy and colluding can.
Punk-Prayer "Virgin Mary, Put Putin Away"
(choir)
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away
Рut Putin away, put Putin away
(end chorus) ...
Black robe, golden epaulettes
All parishioners crawl to bow
The phantom of liberty is in heaven
Gay-pride sent to Siberia in chains
The head of the KGB, their chief saint,
Leads protesters to prison under escort
In order not to offend His Holiness
Women must give birth and love
(Chorus)
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, become a feminist
Become a feminist, become a feminist
(end chorus)
The Church’s praise of rotten dictators
The cross-bearer procession of black limousines
A teacher-preacher will meet you at school
Go to class - bring him money!
Patriarch Gundyaev believes in Putin
Bitch, better believe in God instead
The belt of the Virgin can’t replace mass-meetings
Mary, Mother of God, is with us in protest!
(Chorus)
Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away
Рut Putin away, put Putin away
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