48. Is there anything else you would like to say about community relations in Northern Ireland?
I think that the conflict between communities in NI however big or small will never disappear.
They are heightened at certain times of the year. However, I think community relations are more tense around the 12th July compared to St. Patrick's Day
Impossible to fix... Until, we are able to usher in a new generation of politicians who are not oblivious to the past and insensitive to the trauma but are able to move us forward out of our tribal hatred and show us that there is more that unites us than divides us.
While I'm not religious I do feel the pressures from those around me to feel a certain way towards different religious groups. I especially notice all of the little comments made by people around me towards Catholics and Protestants which makes me feel very uncomfortable. I wish that ALL religions were respected by everyone and that people were mindful of their comments.
I think they are quite good most of the time
Help people my age (16-18) to find jobs since most youth centers under 16
If we have been fighting for this long I don't think it's going to stop any time soon
I feel like everyone needs to understand we are all the same and our religion or background shouldn't determine what you think about another person
People confuse their area, upbringing and traditional views as being Protestant when they aren't actually religious -
I think politics of Northern Ireland play a big part in community relations in Northern Ireland
It depends on the people in the area and their beliefs
It's how the kids are brought up what parents are encouraging and saying to them
Speaking on behalf of myself and my community would like to see more facilities such as leisure centres for the Catholic communities such as in places like Ardoyne etc
Children are more keen to violence than adults
Community relations in Northern Ireland are strained, and they have been for years, whether due to religion, ethnicity, sexuality or gender identity. I want it to get better but I, just like many young people, know that the chance of that happening is slim.
I think we should look past religious differences and instead celebrate religious similarities whilst also respecting how we are different.
I'm girl, I'm a Catholic, I'm an Irish speaker and I'm from Belfast, what more chances do I have
I think there will always be a divide in communities
There are still many areas which are predominately Catholic or Protestant
I think there is definitely still an evident divide in the communities. As someone who loves GAA, I do own some jerseys and during the summer I was with my friends wearing one and we were told by police that we might want to leave the area as there was an orange hall meeting/practice and some of us had GAA jerseys on. I don't think that this is a bad thing to say, it's reality and it's important that we acknowledge the differences in our society. It's a sad reality but it's true. People are still hostile on both sides and I do try to blend. I don't see a big deal at all with someone being Protestant in fact I don't think there's any deal to be made. I think that religion has become very mixed with politics. I honestly think that people have more issues with Unionists for example than actual Protestants. Growing up I've never really been taught a difference, I know lots of Protestants and as my mum would say "it's no odds". I doesn't matter to me. That being said, I do think it's still important to acknowledge the differences. Should I be able to and would I be able to walk past an Orange Hall meeting in a GAA jersey? Probably. But if they would prefer me not to I won't because I don't really care. I suppose it's maybe because I don't feel intimidated by other faiths. I know who I am so I have no problem accommodating others' needs so long as it's not hurting someone.
Although, I did experience some cross community interaction in my Catholic primary school but none in my Catholic secondary school. I feel that this stunted me and my peers understanding and excepance of Protestants of similar age groups. Not being old enough to properly understand the importance of meeting other children from different religions actually didn't make a significant difference for me, personally I would've preferred it as a teen to fully be able to learn from the experience. At the moment im choosing a-level options however, my school does a cross program with Protestant and mixed schools. Family and friends I know who are Catholic have been discriminated against because of their Irish name and area they live in. This lead to majority of them dropping subjects this is extremely off putting and will affect my education greatly. I believe this is mainly due to lack of interactions with schools of different religions and I hope it will change in the future.
I believe that young people are pressured by biased adults which result in worse community relations
They're very good in my area and there is shared education in my area and in my school, i was just never selected for it (we were picked at random to make it fair)
Personally I don't think it matters. Get over it
I think community relations in Northern Ireland will become more inclusive to those of all religions, ethnicities and backgrounds. Slowly, I think all prejudice ideas will become lesser and lesser and all communities will support each other.
As a Catholic some of my friends warn me about being in certain areas such as loyalist areas, in my mind it scares me a bit thinking people have certain feelings towards Catholics and sometimes act violently on it. Even one of my friends told me personally [their] dad wouldn't like me because I am Catholic and he is apparently a big 'Prody' [Protestant] which unsettles me. Surely adults would be more accepting to those who may be a different religion but one of your child's friends.
All religion is the same they believe in god why can't they get along
Not that I know of, no. I am not very aware of the community relations in NI.
I feel that parents contribute to how our country turns out. I believe there is a rise in young people who just want to live, and have a functioning government without the religious bias of both sides, this is the same to relationships between the communities.
Not fond of people - who think I'm a Muslim because I am mixed
I dont think anyone really thinks about religion anymore, i have never been asked or asked anyone, i wouldn't know who is what religion and i don't really care. if everyone else is happy with what they are doing so am I.
I believe there is less sense of community here than other places I've been to, for example the Republic of Ireland and Spain.
I think religious tensions are the most prevalent among people from older generations (such as adults living through the troubles). From my experience, young people nowadays don't pay any mind to divisions between Catholics and Protestants unless this attitude has been ingrained in them by their parents. I think most religious tension will become less apparent as young people begin to take up the positions of power previously held by older generations who may still hold prejudice against the ‚Äòother' community.
I think people judge alot based on religion but it really just depends on the person themsleves as there will always be good and bad people from both sides
I think I'm happy so far with my answers
Catholics and Protestants should be friends [and] stop holding on the past.
I feel that for some young people they feel the need to have prejudice against people of other religions and ethnic groups in order to fit in and be popular. I really hate this and think it's really ignorant
Shared education should be continued from primary to secondary
As a whole the relationships from what I have seen haven't changed, there is still sectarian violence that I have witnessed in this day and age, yes there has been improvements from the troubles but we still have a long way to go
There are posters and graffiti in my town that support the UVF and the UDA. I get annoyed when I see them because I don't understand how people can put such things up after all of the things that paramilitary organisations from both sides did during the troubles
It's a safe environment and friendly environment.
Living in an isolated village I find I'm less observant to community relationships
Everyone is the same, it doesn't define a person for their religion
I think that no one my age really cares that much
Integrating schools is the only way to make dramatic changes in the way Catholics view Protestants and the way Protestants view Catholics. Like many other Catholic teens, I'm close to no Protestants and only ever know Protestants from where I live but I don't really know them at all. It's far easier to dislike a group of people when you don't know them, separating us helps us dehumanise each other. There should be more efforts to integrate children from different religions.
As someone who is English (with a strong accent), but christened a Catholic and with a stereotypically Irish name, I have experienced differing attitudes from both Catholics and Protestants. I feel that with people my age, relations are increasingly improving, but it is the older generations who cannot get over (admittedly extensive and violent) past conflict, and who influence some younger people to continue the prejudice on both sides.
I personally would like to see older generations begin to move on from past grudges that they held to groups of people as to ensure that next or current generation can live on without those grudges being passed to them, as to build better community relationships.
I think relationships with communities have slightly improved over the years, although there is definitely some difficulty with others trying to respect people of colour, mainly in the middle eastern area. I've also seen a lot of difficulty with people who are in the LGBTQ+ community, if prejudice has lessened towards those in eastern Europe I'm sure other communities will face better treatment in future.
I'm not fully aware of everything in the community, but, I would say that most of the time most people are polite to others though that is disregarding a percentage of the community.
The community relations are very different I've noticed with age groups,the 13-17 year olds seem to care about Catholic and Protestant. I've seen many videos of people I know going to [interface area] to fight which is just stupid and unnecessary. I also know that older people are more mature and although they've probably done the same thing when they were younger it was a different time back then and there is absolutely no need for it now.
I don't know any Protestants so found the questions difficult to answer from personal experience
I feel that community relations right now could definitely be better and I hope that some day that is the case
People need to acknowledge that times are changing and need to move on from all the hatred and sad past Northern Ireland has. It is still sad people judge people over religion such as someone judging me because my name is [name] and referring to it as a 'Fenian' name its just hateful.
In my opinions most [people] in Northern Ireland are tolerating and respecting each other to a degree but still have prejudice about others unlike them. This may just be due to the segregation that was once in place [which instills] fear into people to not mix and to not try to get to know others if it's specifically to try engage all communities
Community relations is somthing that needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. united Ireland or not, it will be the same between Catholics and Protesents if the government does not do anything.
It isn't the nicest place always something weird happening full of junkies
I personally don't have anything against Protestants as a Catholic but I don't agree with their views on Northern Ireland being part of the UK. This is why some violent things are still happening in Ireland as people disagree. I think that schools should start to have people come in to explain this in a way that they can understand and why it's okay to disagree with someone how they can express it without becoming erratic
Some people don't respects others choices
There is a clear division within society in terms of religions eg- neighbours and even sports
I think my future children shld grown up with a faith but shldnt be scared to change if they see fit. The community doesn't mix very well in the city I go to school in and there can be lots of cruel words said with no thought of anyone's feelings. Whilst where I live in the countryside it is a mixed community where we all get along and I've met lots of interesting people who share similarities with me and differences. We have an Orange Hall near us which I've never been in, but we have been invited to a Church of Ireland which is close aswell.
Its very weird for community relations not a lot of people would be open about what they are saying about others so they'd just say it in their own home and gossip about stuff happening that they don't like. For example someone from a different background, country, etc moves in near you all they would do is slag them off in the comfort of their own house.
I can see in the future more division in NI with Protestants and Catholics I personally don't have any thing again them but chaos may happen again
Majority people get along together but some cause trouble
More shared education should be brought in to introduce mixed religion at a younger age.
Protestants and Catholics can get along easily but the diversity [division?] will always be there
I might be a bit detached as I am neither Catholic or Protestant but I feel like that comes as a benefit as it comes with an outside view. With this outside view both Catholics and Protestants have ideas about one another that are just not true and clearly come from a place of prejudice or ignorance
There is quite clearly still a deep rooted hatred in some people
Will always be hate toward those who are Catholic and not Protestant and other way
We need to have a more positive future for young people of all backgrounds. Improved job opportunities, better higher education opportunities with reduced fees schemes to act as an incentive to remain here to live, work and support the economy after graduation.
I wasn't raised to think differently about people in other religions or ethnic groups.
Tell the government to get their act together
I feel like most people in Northern Ireland are generally very nice and overall is a well-rounded community
Young people in Northern Ireland are raised in a bitter and rude culture, and since this generation has been raised on the internet, they have been exposed to a variety of different cultures. This exposure to drastically different views has raised lots of young people to be generally kinder, more understanding and intelligent compared to Northern Ireland's innate prejudice. This prejudice is still prevalent, but i believe this will greatly differ in the upcoming years. our communities will be much happier
Nobody but fanatics and people with nothing going on in their life cares about where you come from, what religion you are, or even what colour you are. Most people, myself included, only care about who you are. And I think that there is nothing wrong with that.
People in Northern Ireland need to be more open about cross community relationships because otherwise as a society we will never move forward from the events of the past.
Some areas are still prominently Catholic and vis versa
People shouldn't still take religions so seriously now a days honestly, I think we should just get over it and work together to actually fix this country in a more beneficial way.
I think the council should be more proactive on getting people in different parts of the community in Northern Ireland, partaking in more things together. whether that is through school events, family things, environmental problems/ solutions or just general celebrations. I think this would be very beneficial especially for the older generations to realise that we are all actually not that different! I feel as a whole the community of Northern Ireland is good, but there's always room for improvement!
People focus on religious upbringing too much when choosing those they associate with.
The teenagers of today really care about 'religion'. However I dont think its religion they care about but actually politics and things such as what football team they support/play for.
There should be no segregation in schools. There should be only mixed religion school. There should also be no segregation between gender in schools
People annoy others cus they think it's funny
I believe that cross community education is important
It feels like you have to be in a box of a religion but I don't really identify with any
Social media is what stops Northern Ireland from moving on ,kids my age & younger post such shit about each other & then it carrys on & on ,so much hate
Older people are more prejudiced but younger people don't seem to be picking up the views of their parents as easily as in the past, thus younger generations generally don't care about religion and etc (from what I've seen).
ITS EASIER FOR CATHOLICS TO LIVE IN PROTESTANT AREAS THAN VICE VERSA
Protestants and Catholics fight too much over the samller things when there are bigger problems in the country
Catholic teenagers have innacurate ideas of what being Protestant is and same with Protestant teenagers not knowing what Catholicism is. I think alot of teenagers don't realise how similar the two are.
I'm not sure if this counts as community relations but a lot of young people are always rude to other young people that they don't know which is an issue
It's important for integration to become more of a key part in Northern Irish society. Not just between Protestants and Catholics, but between smaller ethnic groups and minorities so there are less stigmas around certain types of people.
I feel as though Northern Ireland has the potential to be great but everyone has grown up differently or on 'different sides', my great granda told me all the time before he died that ‚ 'you're either Catholic or Protestant and there's nothing you can do to change it, it's just how you've been brought up to dislike the other. And I think back then yes maybe you had to choose a side but no I'm like why do we even have sides why can't we all just be equal and put back what you get given?
I would like to see relations improve, but I think this could take a very long time.
I believe community relations in Northern Ireland are able to improve in the future under certain conditions. -
Certain areas can feel more unsafe in terms of religion than others (harassment, violence etc.)
Big difference in atmospheres when a Catholic goes to a Protestant area and vice versa
It feels quite static. There is still discrimination and prejudice. People are scared of change and of integrating
No I think that all is supportive of one another
Bonfires suck and there is pressure from parents in Protestant households to go to them
It doesn't matter what religion you are everyone should be treated with the same respect
Half the time I can't tell if something is supposed to be Catholic or Protestant , but that's more due to me not being able to pick up some social cues
There is room for improvement but they seem better than what they once were
I think many people face to face will be kind and respectful but behind closed doors will be prejudiced and hateful.
For the most part Northern Ireland has got way better in relations over the past 30 years but there will always be those little or major differences and issues in the community -
I think a lot of work still has to be done to fully improve relations between different communities as people still have prejudice towards one another.
I would [like] for religion to not be such a big thing as it shouldn't matter
I feel for the most part relations are good, apart from a select few people.
Politics has a lot to answer to - some are very bias to their own religion and don't want change
It is improving over time but parents play a big role in holding back the next generation from fixing bonds and repairing generational issues like religious discrimination
More celebrations on both sides eg: Protestants should be able to celebrate St Patricks day and Catholics should be able to celebrate the Twelfth without feeling judged
I feel that the younger generations tend to have a more accepting view on judging people based on their religious or ethnic background, but discrimination is still present and probably will be for a while.
They're hardly communities. I hate it here, when I come back from holidays I literally cry on the plane because I dread coming back here. The minute I turn 18 I'm going back to my parents' home country. I hope this country burns.
I feel like the community in Northern Ireland is increasingly hostile and disrespectful towards religions that are not their own.
There could be more cross community events such as mixed awareness about different religions and cultures
I think young people arent as bothered about these things as adults are
No, I personally don't have an issue with different religion, but everyone is just so bitter nowadays that a mixed community couldn't work.
I would like for every religion to get along, Catholics and Protestants should get along no matter what they support.
It's better in some places than others, Protestants seem more determined to fly their flags to mark territory, a local school nearby flies a union jack flag in their primary school grounds its when you see that you think things might never change
It's too divided and doesn't know what it's doing and people only see their own ways
No i dont have anything else to add, i hope for equal treatment to all religions even if I myself sway towards agnostic/atheist views .
The relations between different communities can be very varied either being friendly or hateful
I do think they have improved but there's always going to be someone trying to start a problem sadly -
People are quite rude and prejudice to lots of mixed relations in Northern ireland and aren't aware that they are doing it
I feel that more could be done for young people who work instead of going to school as they can't attend school organised workshops and i personally think they have helped me gain friends from different backgrounds and think it would be good for others
I feel like religion will always have a toll on Northern Ireland as it was a big part of our history and who we are today. I believe that we are growing for the better as communities and build strong bonds day by day.
For the youth of the north of Ireland it's the lack of knowledge of what happened all those years ago like what happened in the troubles or the so called "famine". It's wasn't a famine there was food but the English soldiers who were stationed in Ireland took it all it was genocide. Youth today see the colour blue to green and think of how the hate one another they were brought up to hate each other they never learned for themselves they just know hatred
I think younger people are now able to connect with other religions and ethnicites better than ever before in northern ireland
I think that it is important that we make decisions mutually and respectfully to ensure that peace lasts in our community
Relations are better than they used to be, but still aren't the same. Catholics and Protestants would get on a lot better but some people would still be very prejudiced and would feel unsafe around those of a different religion
I feel that most communities are either one religion or another I rarely see a mixed religion community!
No, I don't have anything else to add or would like to say about community relations in Northern Ireland.
The Protestant and Catholic divide is still very present even in our generation.
This problem is far more prominent within extremist backgrounds and is no longer a large issue in society, however, it is still noticeable.
There has been great progress about community relations in Northern Ireland and I hope that that progess continues
For me it doesn't matter at all unless someone made me feel threatened. It's not important to me. - I have had people ask my religion before
I honestly don't see difference in religion or culture. i think that is due to my integrated education and parents from different backgrounds
Most people get along with each other, but there are still some extremists from most communities with strong opinions.
There are faults on both sides, and it depends on how your parents have brought you up and what values they have given to you
Drawing attention to the differences and promoting coming together only makes people think more about there being differences in the first place. Also neither side should promote any paramilitary no matter how justified they feel they are.
I come from Protestant and Catholic backgrounds but I still feel out of place at school such as I need to watch what I say , do or who I talk too, I don't feel like I belong to either side but I do try to take pride in both my hertiage
Maybe host more events in community centres for everyone
I think most of the younger generation doesn't care very much about background or religion when socialising with others
Religion tends to get in the way of everybody getting along. The sheer number of Irish flags in one area and UK flags in another shows how prejudice Catholics and Protestants are to one another. I wasn't alive during the troubles, but I can still see the segregation between the denominations of Christianity. I don't believe there should be any issues considering it's the same religion. All I ever hear is "I'm not Irish, I'm British" and vise versa when in reality there should be no discussion to begin with. It's not as violent since back then but it's pretty scary knowing how violent people could be by being in a different religion/denomination. This is partly why I'm not religious, so I don't get mixed up on taking sides when there are no sides to be taken, it's the same religion.
In some areas you feel out of place because of the religion but in some places you feel at home it just depends on where it is and the people that live there.
I do think people know what is right and wrong but they just choose to act the way everyone else does which results in a harmful herd mentality.
I think there is alot to be done in order for all communities in Northern Ireland to be able to improve relations.
There's always going to be tension and I think its due to people's parents
I was once walking through the town with my recognisable Catholic school uniform and I was called a Catholic slut by someone wearing a Protestant school uniform which made me feel unsafe in my own community.
There is a big divide between white irish communities and foreign communities such as Bulgarians
Very strong community around GAA, Irish language and culture. typically if you are involved with any of this you aren't very exposed to other religious groups. what religion you identify with has as much to do with politics than anything else in my opinion.
I feel that it won't change much, the older generation is very stubborn, particularly in relation to the Protestant and Catholic conflict. This stubbornness and stupidity is being passed down to children my age, resulting in more immature and pointless conflict between ethnic and religious backrounds. This is the main reason why I wish to leave this country when I am older
It could be better for younger kids growing up especially younger kids with disabilities
I think there are still a lot of areas that are known as 'Protestant' or 'Catholic' which can cause worry for people who are not those religions when they are in those areas
U always have to be careful what u wear or say in what area, it's stupid
Bullying still occurs based on ethnic backround. But not everywhere.
Some people my age are more open to diversity, however behaviours are taught by parents, and there is still quite a lot of hostility from people who don't know better. People my age are very easily influenced by those around them, and it feels like people either fall into the group of people who accept change and diversity, or the group of people who only accept those alike themselves.
I think religion will always play a huge part in relations in Northern Ireland as many people are still badly affected by the troubles.
I think there's still a lot to be done but in my school and youth group I see a lot of progress being made to include everyone and explore others cultures and backgrounds.
Maybe we should all come together and stop hating each other and give each other a chance and maybe it could be different
I feel like we should get people who are threating young people of the streets because it's not safe.
I feel that people of certain religions may feel pressured or fearful of entering a neighbourhood of another religion incase they come across harrassment or another form of violence.
I don't think they will change because it has been going on for so long now it's embedded in our society
The politics of everything like the issues with the assembly etc makes everything worse.
IM TIRED OF STUPID ARGUMENTS BETWEEN PRODS AND CATHOLICS ITS NOT THAT HARD TO GET ALONG.ITS SO STUPID AND MAKES PEOPLE WHO DONT EVEN KNOW EACHOTHER RESENT EACHOTHER BECAUSE OF THE RELIGION.
Communities don't interact with one another regularly.
Right now the relations are slightly improving, but they still have a long while to go.
I feel that some parents that are prejudiced are passing those beliefs onto their children, which can cause marginalisation in schools
The younger generation care less than the older generations
It is very easy to tell what type of community you are in and if you are not wanted there
St Patrick's day celebrated by Catholics only.????
While there are some extreme examples of young people being loyalists or republicans I believe a lot of people my age do not really care if someone's a Protestant or catholic as long as they are civil it doesn't matter especially on a night out
Although i'm not prejudiced other people are and that is what makes me wary of mixing with different religions and ethnic groups
My Dad used to be a Protestant so some of my cousins are also Protestant and I just find it silly how people still challenge each other when it comes to religion, despite everyone just being human.
I don't mind about other religions but would be wary because some people do.
I think the community relations are good but there is no need for the government to provide union jack flags every year for only one day in whicH they will stay up most of the year. If it was a ireland flag it would be took down straight away and not funded by the government
There will always be problems due to religious differences -
A split between United ireland and United Kingdom lovers
Until both sides of the government can work together then there will not be any unity. The DUP allowed for Stormont to be closed for months all because they didn't win the election, which is a joke. They should respect the majority vote in the country
I don't mind who I'm around as long as they don't make it their sole purpose to prove they're a Protestant or Catholic through expressions or violence etc -
There should be more support in terms of ethnic minority integration
Honestly, from what I see the majority get along it is only a minority that have a problem with different race, religion or ethnicity.
I would like to see more projects where different communities are educated about each other and brought closer
The politicians in this country are the problem they can never leave the past behind always bringing it up
In my community I don't interact with other religions like Protestants or any Muslims or Jews etc. because my area is not very diversified. The only place I would see a wide range of religions and cultures would be in big cities like Belfast.
I don't think so, but I don't really understand the question... I suppose I think that prejudice or otherwise can often stem from influence on young people in a community and the ideals they are raised with.
Northern Ireland is probably the most confusing place to live there are some areas that feel to unsafe to go, there is a strong lack of acceptance of others and simply in my area if there was shared education between Catholic and Protestant schools it would not work it would simply be putting a plaster over a wound that needs 16 stiches. I know people who went to a Secondary school of the opposite religion and left within the first month due to constant religious bullying had to leave and move to a school of only their religion and we as teenagers are meant to accept each other in forced 'integration' activities then again I haven't personally took part in them so I am unable to give an exact opinion. My Catholic school recently this year set up a rugby team, many were shocked because rugby is typically a Protestant sport...is there an issue with that statement the fact people relate sports to religion? On our first blitz we played the local Protestant school, tensions were present from the start at the end many refused to shake our hands because we were Catholic...14year olds were on that team at 14 year old residents of Northern Ireland refuse to touch someone's hand because they have assumed there religion based on their school and then decided they were to good for them, its not right nor good enough and absolutely nothing from what I've seen is done about it and that is what's saddening not the bullying the fact that's the future generation. Another generations minds polluted by old fashioned thoughts.
There still seems to be prejudice between Protestants and Catholics, especially with "picking sides" due to the Gaza conflict (e.g flags, assuming someone only supports a side because they are Protestant/Catholic etc.), as well as some violence still occurring, but it is definitely not as bad as years ago.