Friday, August 17, 2012

Disarmed and Dangerous

There was a major breach of security at a US nuclear site recently. Three infiltrators managed to make their way through barbed wire and security cameras and armed guards to the new facility in the Nevada desert. These three vandalized the building, after a fashion, splashing blood on the white exterior walls and writing graffiti.
This incursion is an embarrassment to the Obama administration, especially because the ringleader is an 82-year-old nun. Sister Megan Rice may be getting up there in age, but this sort of thing isn't new to her. She has been arrested 40 or 50 times for acts of civil disobedience and once served six months in prison. The slogans included “Swords into plowshares,” and “Spears into pruning hooks,” both from the book of Isaiah in the bible.
“It’s the criminality of this 70-year industry,” she said. “We spend more on nuclear arms than on the departments of education, health, transportation, disaster relief and a number of other government agencies that I can’t remember.”
Good point. But wise action? Are these outrageous acts of civil disobedience a waste of time? After all, she isn't the first religious person to take on the US government, and they always seem to lose. Some of you will remember the Berrigan brothers, Philip and Daniel, siblings, priests, and peace activists who were at this sort of thing for decades. Philip made it on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List for a while. I like the title of their book Disarmed and Dangerous.
What's your reaction? Is this action in line with the biblical prophets or silly nunsense? Should our activism be respectful of governments or giving them a poke in the ribs? Is the latter what we are doing at General Council right now?

2 comments:

roger said...

"Silly nunsense". I love it! Good pun, David, good pun!

The problem, in my opinion, with activists who go too far, is that they are often seen as fanatical or extremists(I guess by their actions...they are!).

I am all for peaceful protest and voicing opinions, but when it comes to vandalism or criminal activity, I draw the line. I tend to write those types of people off and not take them as seriously.

I think it would do people good to see what Nelson Mandela did after being released from prison, to try to make positive change. He did it by embracing others and focusing on the positive.

sjd said...

The low key approach doesn't make headlines.
The perpetrator of this kind of act can seem kooky, but they might help draw attention to the issue more quickly.

I like a littel silly nunsence:)