Northern Ireland

[vetran]

You actually believe that's what the troubles in Ireland was about ? Stay behind in history class tomorrow and do some reading.

Strange it did seem quite important which religion you were to the two sides.

The chap who knew "the Lads" was a 'feckin pope lover' and the Orangeman was a 'filthy sash wearing proddy' (their banter not mine they were actually great friends but there was definitely religious lines between the two sides)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segreg...%22Troubles%22.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles

Agree its not entirely religion but.....

As always religion gets big into the wars. If religion or similar ideology isn't involved the wars tend to come to a fairly quick end as sensible people don't want to die for nothing.

[d000hg]

It has nothing to do with religion it's just which colour shirt you wear. You hate Catholics because they're Catholics not because you have the slightest understanding how Catholic and Protestant doctrine varies. If you followed either doctrine you wouldn't want to fight someone for following the other.

It's as absurd as two groups of 'pacifists' fighting over which pacifist teaching they align with.

[malvolio]

It has nothing to do with religion it's just which colour shirt you wear. You hate Catholics because they're Catholics not because you have the slightest understanding how Catholic and Protestant doctrine varies. If you followed either doctrine you wouldn't want to fight someone for following the other.

It's as absurd as two groups of 'pacifists' fighting over which pacifist teaching they align with.

Funny. Most of the Northern Irish I know (and the wife's family lives in Belfast) are acutely aware of the religion of their neighbours. My cousin-in-law is a retired RUC sergeant and has very clear ideas on the causes of the Troubles. It goes a lot deeper than simply not liking the other version of Christianity, on both sides. In fact it goes back about 332 years. Unless and until they can get away from that kind of thinking, there will always be conflict.

[vetran]

It has nothing to do with religion it's just which colour shirt you wear. You hate Catholics because they're Catholics not because you have the slightest understanding how Catholic and Protestant doctrine varies. If you followed either doctrine you wouldn't want to fight someone for following the other.

It's as absurd as two groups of 'pacifists' fighting over which pacifist teaching they align with.

I don't hate Catholics or even any religion I just see it as misguided being an Atheist. I am a big fan of the devout who want to help the world. But it is clear religion is Marmite in conflicts.

You do know Islam , Judaism and Christianity actually have the same GOD? strange that they hate each other in many cases.

[Zigenare]

Funny. Most of the Northern Irish I know (and the wife's family lives in Belfast) are acutely aware of the religion of their neighbours. My cousin-in-law is a retired RUC sergeant and has very clear ideas on the causes of the Troubles. It goes a lot deeper than simply not liking the other version of Christianity, on both sides. In fact it goes back about 332 years. Unless and until they can get away from that kind of thinking, there will always be conflict.

When William gave the French a bashing?

[malvolio]

When William gave the French a bashing?

Jesus. Does nobody ever read any history?

[David71]

Time for re-unification.

I made exactly the same suggestion (at the top of my voice) while watching a Wales-Ireland 6 Nations match in an Irish bar in Brussels a few years ago. It went down very well with the green clad drunken masses.
Bar got a bit quiet when I added how good it would be to see the Union Jack flying over Dublin again

[SueEllen]

I made exactly the same suggestion (at the top of my voice) while watching a Wales-Ireland 6 Nations match in an Irish bar in Brussels a few years ago. It went down very well with the green clad drunken masses.
Bar got a bit quiet when I added how good it would be to see the Union Jack flying over Dublin again

And you lived to tell the tale?

You should try out for Team GB sprint squad.

[SimonMac]

Jesus. Does nobody ever read any history?

And you can see on the very page you linked that the French were one of the main Belligerents (with the Dutch the other)

I'm guessing you just know the Cliff Notes version of history

[malvolio]

And you can see on the very page you linked that the French were one of the main Belligerents (with the Dutch the other)

I'm guessing you just know the Cliff Notes version of history

Not really, I've read a few books on the subject, from Boyne up to the Easter Rising. I was routinely working in Belfast in the early 80s as well, so I have a bit more of an interest than most non-Irish, although mostly my interest was around the wider questions of the unification arguments.

That said, I still think trying to base your life and beliefs around something that was settled 350 years ago is more than a little selfish (it applies to the Scots and quite a few Welsh as well). It doesn't survive by itself, it's handed on as tradition across the generations. In reality, it's nothing more than an excuse for the local criminals to claim a political motivation. The reunification argument is a whole other issue in a modern democracy.