Below
is a selection of open-ended responses that relate to the question:
'Do you think that religion
will always make a difference to the way people feel about each other
in Northern ireland?'
What I think is that everyone should
try to get along with everyone else. No matter what religion they
belong to!
[…] Where do I start? I hate the whole
sectarianism stuff be it over jobs, etc. Last year in 5th in school
we studied N. Ireland as part of our GCSE coursework, between 1921
and now - and I've never been so bored in my life. Be it about '1
man 1 vote' or […] even Bloody Sunday - it's history, it's over. We
discussed about how there are millions of pounds poured in every year
to fund the Bloody Sunday enquiry. Yes the victim's family have my
deepest sympathy and that I am glad that we've got what they set out
protecting for but with that amount of money you can spend it on schools,
hospitals, the communities, etc. Secondly, the whole sectarian communities,
Catholics and Protestants, we have come on 'BIG TIME' since 30 years
ago and I'm glad I've been brought up in a much more peaceful Belfast.
A few of your questions asked about are Protestant or Catholic favourable?
Both religious communities are favourable; they are equally the same,
and that is what I've been brought up to believe. I reckon the whole
sectarian ideas come from the home or areas; even as a child you are
liable to pick up hard feelings and anger towards your counterpart.
I am confused about why people have so much hatred in their hearts;
is it to do with history, is it because that is what they have been
taught + brought up to do? Where I live there are no flags, there
are no painted kerbs, there are no gangs who intimidate you. It's
amazing to find such a place here but it shows you that it's possible.
I hate to see these things as it brings anger up to the surface. The
whole 'tentoy' thing is a bit 'far-fetched' and I feel it makes the
place look - 'devalued'. Also murals are there as they illustrate
history but when it comes to sectarian murals, that' s when the paint
and brush should come out to paint over it! N. Ireland is a place
in Ireland, a part of Ireland ,but belongs to Britain - that's the
situation at the moment. You have republic[an] and loyalist; I am
neither and I hope to keep it that way. If loyalists want to keep
the link with Britain, they should stop threatening its survival.
Republicans should be thankful and should look around to see what
we have. How can such a small city have so many problems? We are remand
for being that small place with sabotaged by wild violence. Can they
not see that people are getting bored? It's time to stop all this
sectarian and bigotry living and start thinking - how we can improve
on what we have? Lastly, politics! Who needs it? We don't, that's
for sure. Be it arguments, walkouts or 'silence-talks', our government
is not doing what it's supposed to be doing. Politics is polluted
with bigots, sectarians and republicans + loyalists. We would do better
off without them. They cause more problems rather than the ones they
should be doing. I'll never really paid much attention to all [this]
(rubbish)! Why should I take notice of it now? All my friends and
classmates discuss about how it's just boring and no one really cares.
Remember, these are, we are the people of N. Ireland's future!! What
type of legacy do you want to leave behind? One of hatred, bigotry
and sectarianism or one of peace and happiness? I know which one I
would like but looks like there are still a lot of people out there
who still can't open their eyes to the 'real' Belfast we live in,
not of 30 years ago!! MOVE ON!!
At present, I think that there are a
lot of improvements to be made. People have to be more willing to
change and be sympathetic to others' views. I feel that there is good
and bad on both sides.
Being prejudiced is stupid because religion
is a reason for friendship not violence […] we are all human.
Both sides should wise up and stop fighting,
there's no call for it. What do they achieve at the end of the day?
Catholic and Protestants will always
fight to some degree. I do not think peace can ever be reached.
Catholics and Protestants will never
get along.
Everyone in Northern Ireland has been
mean to someone of a different religion.
Everyone should be treated equally regardless
of race, colour and religion.
Everyone would get on if they listened
to the views of the other community. The only reason there is conflict
is because each community does not understand the opinions of the
other community.
For most people, cross community relations
are normal & amicable. The ones who terrorise N[orthern] I[reland]
[…] are people who will never change their bigoted views. They are
a minority in N.I.
Hopefully religion will change and people
will change with it. Everybody is a person at the end of the day.
People can't change their religion.
I believe community relations will improve
in Northern Ireland when people stop passing on their prejudices to
their children. I volunteer in mixed religion summer schemes in Belfast
and there is a vast difference to how the younger children interact
with each other and how the older children interact.
I believe that a person's personality
is usually the cause of any problem, not their religion.
I believe that the people of Northern
Ireland will never be able to live in a peaceful environment. This
is because older generations can't forget the past and so they pass
their bitterness and anger onto younger generations. People can't
and shouldn't forget their history.
I believe that there always will be religious
differences and that the most important lesson people will have to
learn is to agree to disagree. I may not always agree with goings
on, e.g. a parade, but I am prepared to stand aside and let things
continue. I strongly believe that no one should impose their beliefs
on anyone else even though something as insignificant as flags or
kerb painting.
I do not like bigots and try not to associate
with them and [I think] that bigots should be ashamed and they have
no right to damage anyone physically or mentally because of race,
religion, etc.
I don' t think Northern Ireland will
ever be the same again and that there will always be a divide. But
things may change.
I don' t think Republicans and Nationalists
will ever stop wanting a United Ireland. I do not think there will
ever be a United Ireland. Therefore, both communities will always
feel strongly divided. In the area that I live [in] there is a deep
divide between Catholics & Protestants.
I don't believe that the youth of Northern
Ireland is given enough respect but yet the older generations demand
respect from them.
I don't find it important to know whether
people are Protestants or Catholics as it doesn't make a difference
to me.
I don't mind any religion as long as
they don't mind me. Every one should forget their differences, it
would be an easier life.
I don't see the big deal about being
Catholic or Protestant. It's no one's fault as to what religion they
were born in to. I do however disagree with people flaunting their
beliefs on purpose.
I don't see the big deal about being
Catholic or Protestant. It's no one's fault as to what religion they
were born in to. I do however disagree with people flaunting their
beliefs on purpose.
I don't think relations between Catholics
and Protestants will ever really improve because religious prejudices
are passed down from parents to their children. Religious hatred is
not a natural thing; it is not in-born, it is created by people.
I don't think relations between Protestants
and Catholics will ever be better because everyone is being brought
up in a prejudiced culture and the younger generations are being influenced
by the older generations who already hold that attitude.
I don't think that Northern Ireland will
ever change. Everyone will still argue about what is the right religion
and if we are British or Irish.
I don't think there are problems between
people of different religions if you are not an extreme of your religion,
because I have lots of Protestant friends and they don't mind what
religion I am and I don't mind what religion they are. It's the extremes
of either community that cause problems, e.g., if I wore a Gaelic
top down the streets I would see some Protestants looking at me and
maybe they would say something to their friends.
I feel that a step to peace in N. Ireland
would be that people will have to compromise. E.g. Dup - Sinn Fein.
I feel that if people don't take a step
themselves to communicate with those of other religions then there
will always be a problem regarding religion in N. Ireland. If people
continue to show sectarianism then people will never really live in
peace.
I feel that N. Ireland has two strong
traditions - basically you are either Protestant or Catholic - you
support Rangers or you support Celtic. And I feel N. Ireland is big
enough for both.
I feel that there will always be problems
occurring in Northern Ireland due to different religions; things will
never change. Although people should have equal opportunities throughout
their lives!!
I have experienced many people saying
and wondering how Northern Ireland is settling down after the chaos
in the 1960s/1970s. This I find major offence with! These people do
not realise that only a small percentage of what I call extremists
are fighting and the majority in N. Ireland live perfectly normal
lives. I feel that only by setting up more projects for schools for
children at young ages to form relationships with people & other religions,
will the prejudice and bigotry that people have in their hearts soften
and be filled with knowledge + understanding.
I hope in the future that community
relations will be better because religious belief should not change
how we treat each other as we are all equal.
I hope it will get better as time goes
on and future generations won't have the same views.
I hope they can improve soon, or life
for others will get much worse which would be a shame.
I just wish anybody could get on together.
I really hope it improves. I hope that
people vote considering all aspects of the party, what views they
represent and how they can improve our future and break down barriers.
I think all religions should get along
as we are all people.
I think all the arguments between religions
are stupid.
I think both Catholics and Protestants
are acting childish and that they should grow up; we are all the same
and that's what matters.
I think community relations in Northern
Ireland are appalling and need to be resolved quickly.
I think community relations will become
better in Northern Ireland as time moves on and our country becomes
more cosmopolitan. There is no longer huge divide between Catholics
and Protestants. We are different and I think the younger generation
is more understanding of this. There is now more difference between
people than whether they are Catholic or Protestant.
I think each main religion in Northern
Ireland is as worse as the other, plus every one fights amongst themselves.
So as long as I live, I never think there will be peace.
I think everyone should just get along.
Some of my family + friends wonder why I socialise with Protestants
because they were actually the cause of my granddad's death as they
murdered him. I just don't understand the difference in us. I would
love to see peace in the community.
I think growing up in Northern Ireland
can be difficult. I was unaware of how bad the troubles were up until
the age of 10. Our town was bombed 6 years ago and I found it to be
a very frightening experience. I think it's horrible having childhood
memories of bombs. I would love relations in Northern Ireland to be
better for everyone's sake. Too many people have died already.
I think it is only up to the person
or persons of different religion what they do in relationships.
I think it is silly to judge people
by their religion. I don't and try not to. There is too much intimidation
targeted at Blacks and people from other countries.
I think it is to do with education.
I think less-well-educated people are more sectarian.
I think most people are quite alike
and don't want any trouble and there is only a small minority of 'idiots'
who base their opinions on peoples' religious beliefs and give the
rest of us trouble and give N. Ireland a bad name.
I think people need to wise up and stop
seeing other people's religions as a reason to hate them. There are
other problems in N[orthern] I[reland] that our politicians could
be sorting out for us.
I think people should stop fighting about
religion, because at the end of the day we are all only human.
I think people should wise up and get
along.
I think people who do not like the opposite
religion for no specific reason are Stupid !! We are all people.
I think relations between Catholics
& Protestants are ridiculous. I don't understand why they fight, we
are all in love with the same person - GOD.
I think that community relations in N[orthern]
I[reland] are an unnecessary issue and I would be encouraged to live
elsewhere (other country) to avoid this in the future.
I think that N. Ireland will always have
a divide between Protestants + Catholics and there is nothing that
can be done about it!
I think that no matter what our religion
or our beliefs are, we should all try to work together because we
are humans with not much difference from each other apart from religious
beliefs.
I think that Protestants and Catholics
should be able to get along with each other.
I think that the fighting between religious
[and] cultural differences should be put to an end. Because in the
end we are all humans who deserve happiness + a right to live.
I think that the tension will always
be there due to parents passing on their traits to their kids. Most
people who have potential in N[orthern] I[reland] by the age of 18
want to get out because of it and will move away. N[orthern] I[reland]
will always have bitterness because of it.
I wish there wasn't a problem between
different religions in NI.
I would just like Catholics and Protestants
to get on with each other.
I would like it if people in Northern
Ireland from all religions and races would be able to get on a little
better.
I would like to stop all the paramilitary
beatings and bombings in Northern Ireland.
I, or any other person my age I've spoken
to about it, can ever see a way out of the current bad relations here.
Most teenagers seem to have more realistic views on the subject than
most adults.
If community halls were used for the
right purpose relations would improve significantly. But currently
both sides are keeping themselves to themselves.
If there wasn't so much barriers put
up and if the politicians didn't go on so much, people would just
get on with each other.
I'm not really personally bothered but
I do believe relations won't improve while sectarian attacks are fresh
in peoples' minds. It will also take centuries for the memories of
bombs such as the one in Omagh to fade.
In my area there is not a major problem.
Although I am not naive + realise that there are problems at certain
places + at certain times.
It depends where you live and how you
were brought up.
It doesn't matter, what religion, what
you are. We are all humans. Why can't we get on without religion being
a problem?
It is a well known fact that the people
in the south of Ireland have little problems with sectarianism. For
years the north has been under British rule and yet sectarianism still
exists. I believe if Ireland was to be re-united on a temporary 3
year basis; the people in the north would find that by the end of
these 3 years, sectarianism will finally begin to decrease and in
many years' time would vanish like it is in the south at the moment.
It is crazy that people from different
religions fight and cannot get on. It is completely not understandable,
especially as many of these people are not religious.
It is silly to think about. There are
more fun things to do. People who can't accept different types of
people are shallow.
It only becomes a problems when bombs
and violence are included. There is just a bit of crack!
It shouldn't be about what religion
a person is, it should be to do with the type of person they are.
It will never be improved; both sides
are as stubborn and childish as each other.
It would be better if people could attempt
to resolve disputes etc. instead of keeping them ongoing. People in
some communities of mixed religion etc. should also attempt to have
a better relationship if there have been problems in the past.
It's sad to think that people from the
same country can' t get along because so many other countries can.
There will always be a division between Republicans + Loyalists. Hopefully,
this won't be the case between Catholics + Protestants. Politicians
such as Ian Paisley do not help, they only spread hatred and are bigots.
So what do people expect when his son is in power! !
It's very sad that the situation we
have is the way it is. I would give anything including my own life,
if it was all forgotten about.
It's not right Catholics and Protestants
are always starting arguments, bombs, and just because of their different
religions, it's stupid.
It's one small percentage that cause
trouble over who is Protestant and Catholic that need sorted out.
I get on with Catholics as well as Protestants. It's all the same
to me.
It's terrible and it should stop and
all get along.
Loyalists need to realise they will
never be able to prevent re-unification of Ireland and British withdrawal.
When the majority of the pop[ulation] wish this to happen - it will
[…].
Most of the people that I know who have
a problem with Catholics or Protestants hang on to the past too much
I believe it's a problem in certain communities.
Most people only fight because they think
it's right. They don't understand religion properly.
Mostly full of bloody ignorants. People
don't really care about your actual belief, but who you are with and
what colour of shirt you wear. Those, who do not care less, should
be all shifted together to one part of the country to live in peace.
But idealism doesn't get you anywhere […].
No, I think that everyone should be
treated equally, and that there should be action taken to sort out
the differences in the community relations of Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland is a mix of religions
and colours. Where I live there are a small number of Catholics and
just outside my area there is a large Catholic estate. Riots break
[out] every Twelfth of July. Chinese people get their windows pelted
with eggs and bricks. I believe that this will never change. Northern
Ireland is full of people who can't accept other peoples race of religion.
Northern Ireland should be part of the Rep. of Ireland, then there
would be no problems with community relations in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland should become 100% Protestant
with only the Protestants who all want to live there actually be there.
The same should apply to the Catholic religion and the Republic of
Ireland, with the border in between. No "United Ireland" should take
place or ever happen. NO SURRENDER.
Not all Protestants and Catholics don't
get along. Some of us do! A lot!
Not everyone will accept each other due
to their religions. Many people believe that only their religion is
correct. I don't think Northern Ireland will ever overcome these differences.
If people could, life for many people would be happier.
Nothing anyone can do will change the
problems which have been occurring between relations in N. Ireland
communities. Politicians are only making the problems worse and I
know that no amount of 'peace talks' will make any change at all.
People appear to care about religion.
But it is different when the relationship is boy/girl as opposed to
boy/boy or girl/girl.
People base too much on the words Catholic
and Protestant. Until people in Northern Ireland realize they are
religions groupings, and 'not' political beliefs, nothing will change.
And until parents give their children the freedom to form their own
beliefs and opinions […], problems will only get worse.
People in our world today need to catch
a grip, because our world is falling apart because of the communities
in Northern Ireland!
People need to get rid of prejudices
and get over hating each other. It's really immature and people need
to move on and accept one another.
People need to wake up and stop putting
religion in front of friendship.
People should stop being so hung up
on religion, why can't we all just get along?! If we did then we wouldn't
have to live in such a hate-filled world.
Politicians do absolutely nothing to
help the matter in Northern Ireland. They are overpaid, useless and
only aggravate problems.
Politicians should do more to help and
stop fighting amongst themselves.
Problems arise due to narrow-minded
people from each of the 2 main religions, with most of them not actually
going to church, and don't know why they hate the other.
Religion means nothing.
Religion should not be a problem and
people should judge you when they get to know you, not because of
your religion.
Religious and racial intolerance is only
related to a minority in N. Ireland, but we all get tarred by the
same brush.
Sectarianism is inbred in the mindset
of the majority of people in N[orthern] I[reland]. We will never change
and there will never be peace.
Social problems, such as - unemployment,
low wages and poverty, are the main cause of friction between the
two main communities.
Some day there will be peace in Northern
Ireland. When there is, everything will be better off.
Some people should wise up and learn
to put differences like religion aside and get along.
Some people who claim to be either Protestant
or Catholic also claim not to be Christians. How can you be Protestant
or Catholic without being a Christian?
The more the people stop caring about
their religion, like me (because I consider myself to be an atheist,
as do my friends), the better the 'religion crises' in N. Ireland
will be. But there has been a decrease, I think, in hatred, most people
I see just don't care... my best friend is Protestant.
There are no easy ways to describe Northern
Ireland apart from the past should be forgotten and paramilitary groups
banned from both sides of the community.
There is a lot of people who don't mind
mixed religions, but there are a small few who are very high strung
on these religions on both sides.
There is a lot of sectarianism in N.
Ireland. People should learn to respect other people's opinions &
religions. Being able to socialise & be friends with both Catholics
& Protestants mean so much to me.
There is too much division between Catholics
+ Protestants, but also between ethnic minorities e.g. In our society
of small-minded fools, you cannot be different than the mainstream
way of life, or else you get hassle.
There needs to be more work done in Northern
Ireland to resolve the problems between Catholics and Protestants.
There should be no difference between
Catholics and Protestants.
There will always be people in N. Ireland
who feel strongly about people from the opposite religion and will
never accept it. Although things are changing for the better they
will never be gone completely; there will always be sectarianism in
N. Ireland.
There will never be total peace until
parents bring their children up with open minds and educate them well.
They [community relations] will never
change, Protestants & Catholics will never get on. Ethnic minorities,
however, are a positive asset to our country.
They [community relations] would need
to be improved so that both communities can begin to agree with each
other.
Things haven't changed much in last 30
years in terms of feelings to each other and doesn't look like changing
soon.
Until there is a party that will represent
a peaceful & 50/50 type of community in N. Ireland community relations
will never reach the potential that is there in N. Ireland. Because
DUP & Sinn Fein MPs are holding community & relations back!
What does it matter?
What N[orthern] I[reland] needs is a
government that isn't bigoted to either side of the community.
When there was the trouble at Holy Cross
Girl's Primary School I was on holiday in Majorca. It was the main
news on Sky News; it was the first time I realised how sad and pathetic
a lot of people in my country are. I was embarrassed to say I was
from Northern Ireland. I put a lot of the blame on our politicians.
How can they expect to move forward if they won't even talk to one
another?
While Northern Ireland is controlled
by the bigots that occupy all council seats, we will never be free
of sectarianism and will never be free.
Why can't people just get along!!!
With regards to community relations in
Northern Ireland I personally don't feel that there should be a problem,
as we are all equal and human beings.
Would just love Catholics and Protestants
to come together some day and just get along.
