Year: 2004
Module: Community Relations
Variable: RLRELAGO

Below is a selection of open-ended responses that relate to the question:

'What about relations between Protestants and Catholics? Would you say they are better than they were 5 years ago, worse, or about the same now as then?'

As I am 16, I think our generation has bypassed the worst of the troubles and so I don't think community relations are as bad as they seemed to be then. But I think that people are still refusing to realise that all the fighting and bombing isn't furthering our aspirations for N.I. I think I am the most anti-Republic[an] Catholic in the country and it really annoys me when the IRA's tactics, like the Brighten bomb, are shown on TV again, because I am embar[r]assed to be a Catholic then. I would rather they did nothing as opposed to fighting for a united Ireland like they do. I too wish for a United Ireland, but there is no way that we can have it if the IRA (and Sinn Fein) don't wise up. I don't think that it's just Sinn Fein's fault though. If the DUP can't sort out themselves, how is an agreement to be reached with another parties?

Both the Catholic + Protestant communities are equally to blame for the state in which our country is in today. Many of those who are involved in paramilitaries + sectarian riots do not even know of the original religious reason why there are different religions in N[orthern] I[reland]. I think many are influenced by school, friends + parents. Sectarianism is pointless + drags our country down.

Community relations are improving however, severe divisions are still evident. I find these divisions annoying as we are all still human beings and we should not let divisions in religion or race divide us like it has.

Community relations are shit!!!

Disgusting.

I find the prejudice very sickening.

I find the stories on the news about community relations in Northern Ireland hard to watch. I also see it as a downside to relations in Northern Ireland.

I think it has gotten out of hand between Protestants & Catholics. They are both as bad as the other and no longer know what they are fighting for.

I think it might have slightly improved over the past few years but there is still so much sectarian violence in N. Ireland and it must be stopped.

I think that sectarianism is completely pointless and stupid!!

I think they have improved a great deal. I myself represented the UK in the European Youth Parliament and though Catholics were in the minority within the group, there was nothing said and I have made some very firm friends due to everyone's acceptance.

I think they have improved. I mean they aren't perfect but at least bombs aren't going off in Belfast everyday. I just hope we continue to try and make things better and peaceful for everyone.

I wish they were better.

In some areas they are not good.

In some interface areas there is a lot of tension between the different communities as a minority of small-minded people have bitter views and cause trouble.

It disgusts me, I don't understand how people can hate each other so much due to religion; half the people don't even follow their religion!

It sucks!

It's looking better

Most members of [the] community do get along with one another.

Most normal people don't go around bombing everyone. There isn't any serious animosity in most cases. Those who are not from N[orthern] I[reland] have this completely wrong idea that we spend everyday hiding in terror. Yes in some extreme cases that's true, but most people get along.

Most people I know don't care about whether someone is Catholic or Protestant, however, it is only in housing estates it seems that people are sectarian.

Northern Ireland is one place we can't even go into different parts of the area, certain shops.

Over the last few years there have been, in my opinion, better community relations. However if the political side of things doesn't improve […]there will be renewed trouble.

They [community relations] just get worse because more Catholics are getting progeny and they start fighting easier.

They are a joke, country is in a mess.

They are bad!!

They are improving but there is a long way to go.

They are terrible and I can't see them changing.

They can be very strained in certain areas.

They're all the fucking same!

Things haven't changed much in last 30 years in terms of feelings to each other and doesn't look like changing soon.

Where I live we have very rarely seen any tension between Catholics and Protestants.

Think they have improved a lot. It's easier to socialise and talk to people of other religions because of cross community schemes.

 

 

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