Blasphemy Riot?

Going through my previous blog posts it would seem that the recurring topic I choose to write about is the institutionalised Church cosying it up with the political regime and as a result ignoring the true message of the man they claim to hold at the centre of their work. This blog post, unfortunately, is another perfect example of this. This time however it is the Russian Orthodox Church rather than the CofE that is guilty of this most heinous of crimes (lovers of variety will be thrilled).

As most of you have no doubt heard by now the punk rock band Pussy Riot have been jail for two years on hooliganism and blasphemy charges. The story is that they were staging an anti-Putin demonstration, however because of their choice of location and their use of Biblical themes and characters the story has taken a theological/religious character which, I think, has distorted the original message of the band whilst also highlighting the problems of the relationship between church and state.

As I mentioned in a previous blog entryon Punk and Christianity, the lyrics of their song (see below) are not strictly blasphemous. In fact if read correctly they are more likely to show the band as believers and followers rather than critics. They invoke the Virgin Mary whilst giving her the title of Mother of God. Surely a blasphemous song would not have called upon her in aid but criticised or insulted her? They also recommend that the Patriarch of the Church turn back to God after straying from his beliefs. Not the kind of recommendation you would expect form a song described as blasphemous......

No, the blasphemy of their protest was the criticism of the organised church not Jesus or Mary or God, so is it really blasphemy? I wouldn’t describe it as such. It is no more blasphemous than Protestants denouncing the Pope or Orthodox Christians celebrating Easter and Christmas on different dates. All Pussy riot are guilty of doing is criticising the religious authorities of losing sight of God and straying from the path, something Christians will (should) recognise in the life of a man from Nazareth.

The organised Church having close links with the ruling regime is always a poisonous relationship. It inevitably results in one of the parties having too much influence over the other, manipulation and corruption. This time the Church is the one suffering the most. With its close support of Putin’s government it is inevitable that any political attack on his rule would also include the Church. The Russian government have been clever in their manipulation of the story where all political arguments against Putin have been ignored and drowned out by the Church’s outrage at a phoney blasphemous attack. The Church has also taken the flak from international outrage at the ruling. Whilst this international condemnation is valid, especially in light of the Church allowing the ruling to happen, we must not allow Putin and his government to escape unscathed. It was after all his government that was being attacked in the first place and so they who have the most to fear from the band. Pussy Riot’s message itself has also been watered down, instead of being seen as a political act and message it has been seen as anti-God and anti-church, something the band themselves never wanted to say. Finally Putin has used the Church’s outrage at blasphemy to cover up the imprisonment of political opponents; something we all thought had ended with the fall of communism.

It doesn’t matter what the members of the band have been charged with, be it for blasphemy or crimes against the state. Either way it should never have been allowed to happen and it just goes to show how little has changed in Russia since the fall of Communism. Another harrowing truth that has come to light is that a country in the post-enlightenment,  Western “civilised” world has imprisoned people on blasphemy charges; something we thought was reserved only for ultra conservative, 3rd world countries lagging behind the free-thinking, human rights governed countries.......

Thoughts and prayers go out to Pussy Riot, their friends and families and supports of the band worldwide.

[Update] After failing an appeal, two of the jailed members (after one was freed for not actually taking part in the protest) have been sent to two separate prison camps. Which camps they are being sent to is not known but apparently they are both former Soviet detention centres kept for the most serious offenders in Russia. Conditions are extremely harsh and in Russian law mothers shouldn't be jailed until their children are over 14, both defendants have young children. A little extreme for two people accused for hooliganism and causing a public menace don't you think?

The soviet state is not dead.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20026056

“Virgin Mary, Put Putin Away” Lyrics (translated from Russian)

Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away
Рut Putin away, put Putin away

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

Shit, shit, the Lord’s shit!
Shit, shit, the Lord’s shit!

Virgin Mary, Mother of God, become a feminist
Become a feminist, become a feminist

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!

Virgin Mary, Mother of God, put Putin away
Рut Putin away, put Putin away

The final countdown

Seeing as this blog is called Tales and thoughts.... I've decided to write a post about my current situation and where I'm about to go instead of my usual angry rant.

Soooooo two weeks today I'll be moving to Manchester to start my new job as a parish assistant. It's a job that's designed to test vocation and calling by throwing people out of their depths into a Church and parish scenario and seeing if they can cope with it. Should be interesting to see how well I cope with 6 day working weeks, dealing with difficult people in difficult situations, handling admin and the masses of public speaking. I'm sure I'll be fine, I've only shied away from any contact with the public, avoided talking in front of people I don't know, have a terrible phone manner, am rubbish with money and counting and have becoming incredibly lazy of late. What could possibly go wrong?

I do take solace in the fact that, having been in contact with my soon to be fellow parish assistant, (who I'm sure is also reading this at the moment, hi if you are) I know it's not only me who's feeling a little worried.

Still enough worrying, Manc's guna offer me loads of new fun and possibilities, not only job wise but also, hopefully, socially, musically and otherally that I can't think of right now.

There's a big anarchist scene up there too, as well as a Food Not Bombs group and other green/anarcho friendly groups to finally get stuck into. Warminster, with it's heavy army presence and generally red neck population (people I work with not withstanding =P) has been slow to pick up any of the anarchist ideas I've tried suggesting to them. Though the group discussion I lead on the subject did start a good debate and hopefully got people thinking......

I've said my good byes, made a list of books and games I want to read/finish in the next two weeks and have a long list of things to pack, people to see, places to go and errands to run before I leave. It's guna be a busy two weeks....... I probably shouldn't have bought Minecraft........

Not a lot of Christian Anarchism in this post I know, but bare with me people who actually find that stuff interesting to read. I do mention anarchy a little bit and I'm sure God's in there somewhere if you look hard enough. He usually is.