The Liturgy of Protest

Published: May 12, 2008, 6:06 a.m.

b'In support of an act of civil disobedience by ANZAC Ploughshares protesting New Zealand\'s support of the US War on Terror and the war in Iraq by puncturing a balloon covering intelligence-gathering equipment at Waihopai in the South Island, Glynn speaks to the importance of Christians walking their faith.\\n\\n"Ploughshares differ from other types of protest in that they are liturgies, intentionally sacramental. A sacrament is a \\u2018window into God\\u2019. It is an action that helps us see into the nature and meaning of the Divine. The pouring of blood [sometimes the protesters own blood], the hammering of weapons of war into implements of peace, the use of sickles\\u2026 all these are symbolic theatrical acts that point to a God who loves all, who desires peace, and who is prepared to confront the powers that be to achieve it. The God of this liturgy is not a couch potato but an activist intent on change."\\n\\nFull text at http://www.stmatthews.org.nz/nav.php?sid=447&id=835.'