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Russia

Feminist Rockers Pussy Riot Still Locked Up After Pissing Off Putin

A Russian punk-feminist band called Pussy Riot has spent the past two months in jail after singing “Dear God, Chase Out Putin” in a Moscow cathedral. This week Russian police arrested some of their fans too.

Pussy Riot (Igor Mukhin)
Pussy Riot (Igor Mukhin)


*NEWSBITES

MOSCOW – Already in trouble with Russian authorities for their recent "punk prayer service" in a Moscow cathedral, feminist rock band Pussy Riot has now gotten some of its fans in hot water as well.

More than 10 of the band's fans were arrested Thursday during a gathering in front of the Moscow courthouse. Pussy Riot fans arrived at approximately 1 p.m. for what they called a "Judicial Festival," an event organized to protest Pussy Riot's continued incarceration. The arrests took place about an hour later.

Pussy Riot's band members have been locked up since Feb. 18 – two weeks before Russia's presidential election – when they led a controversial "service" in Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior. During the event, the women sang a tune called "Dear God, Chase Out Putin" while wearing colorful masks, dancing and bending over in faux-prayer. Neither the police nor the Orthodox Church appreciated the punk group's feigned religious fervor. They are now facing "hooliganism" charges.

The group's supporters arrived at the courthouse with balloons and homemade signs. But they were not alone. Activists from the Orthodox Church were already on the stairs, accompanied by law-and-order hardliners who attacked a group of six Pussy Riot fans. The police arrested anyone who tried to display any kind of sign.

Read the full article in Russian by Grigorii Tumanov

Photo – Igor Mukhin

*Newsbites are digest items, not direct translations

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Society

Is Disney's "Wish" Spreading A Subtle Anti-Christian Message To Kids?

Disney's new movie "Wish" is being touted as a new children's blockbuster to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary. But some Christians may see the portrayal of the villain as God-like and turning wishes into prayers as the ultimate denial of the true message of Christmas.

photo of a kid running out of a church

For the Christmas holiday season?

Joseph Holmes

Christians have always had a love-hate relationship with Disney since I can remember. Growing up in the Christian culture of the 1990s and early 2000s, all the Christian parents I knew loved watching Disney movies with their kids – but have always had an uncomfortable relationship with some of its messages. It was due to the constant Disney tropes of “follow your heart philosophy” and “junior knows best” disdain for authority figures like parents that angered so many. Even so, most Christians felt the benefits had outweighed the costs.

That all seems to have changed as of late, with Disney being hit more and more by claims from conservatives (including Christian conservatives) that Disney is pushing more and more radical progressive social agendas, This has coincided with a steep drop at the box office for Disney.

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