Beat Swords Into Plowshares - a Conversation with Mark Colville

Beat Swords Into Plowshares - a Conversation with Mark Colville

Author: DSA Religion and Socialism Commission May 24, 2021 Duration: 37:06
Seven Catholic plowshares activists entered Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in St. Mary’s, Georgia on April 4th, 2018. They went to make real the prophet Isaiah’s command to “beat swords into plowshares.” The seven chose to act on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who devoted his life to addressing what he called the “triple evils of militarism, racism, and materialism.” Carrying hammers and baby bottles of their own blood, the seven attempted to convert weapons of mass destruction. They hoped to call attention to the ways in which nuclear weapons kill every day, by their mere existence and maintenance. One of those seven, Mark Colville (pictured back right), talks with Colleen Shaddox about his resistance to the weapons economy and his life at Amistad Catholic Worker House in New Haven, Connecticut. Mark talks about how he and his comrades argued that their Catholic faith compelled them to act against Trident - a defense that the jury was never allowed to hear. Now he looks forward to serving his sentence for the action. As he says, much of the Bible was written inside a prison - what better place to read it?

The Religious Socialism Podcast, presented by the DSA Religion and Socialism Commission, explores the often-overlooked intersections of faith, ethics, and leftist political economy. This isn't a lecture series but a series of conversations, interviews, and reflections that delve into the practical and theological questions of building a more just world. You'll hear from organizers, theologians, scholars, and community members who are actively working within their traditions to challenge systems of oppression and imagine collective liberation. Discussions might range from the scriptural foundations for economic democracy to the on-the-ground experiences of faith-based mutual aid projects, all grounded in a socialist framework. The podcast serves as a forum for those who find their spiritual convictions compelling them toward radical solidarity, offering both analysis and encouragement for the long-term work of social transformation. It’s a space where the moral imperatives of religion meet the material demands of socialism, creating a rich dialogue for anyone curious about this dynamic and necessary synthesis. Tune in for thoughtful, earnest episodes that refuse to separate the inner life of spirit from the outer work of building a better society for all.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Religious Socialism Podcast
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