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Historically the Catholic church and Cathloc monarchs did make claims and undertook actions that threatened the security and freedom of Protestants, and the Iri

Historically the Catholic church and Cathloc monarchs did make claims and undertook actions that threatened the security and freedom of Protestants, and the Irish Republic made claims over the North that Protestants saw as a threat, so the bonfires and parades with their positive self assertion can be understood in this context. That said, I think we can all condemn oblique hatred of the other side, and that's very much present in both sides.

unmole 3y ago
When was the last time a Catholic monarch threatened Northern Ireland? And How many divisions has the Pope?
- HeckFeck 3y ago
  The key word was ‘historically’, when relating to the likes of James or Bloody Mary. Lots of people feel deeply connected to their history and struggle, why should Northern Protestants be deprived of theirs? The Pope had something more powerful than divisions: words and authority over his flock. Back in the day that commanded more loyalty than to monarch. But in recent times, the source of the violence was the IRA and other Republican groups.
  - defrost 3y ago
    and the phrase "violently opposed by Ulster loyalists" never once was uttered during the time of the troubles? Nor indeed the sentence "The police, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), were overwhelmingly Protestant and known for sectarianism and police brutality.? Pretty sure it takes two side to keep that shit up for three decades and more. ( Both extracts sourced from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles )
    - HeckFeck 3y ago
      I’d just ask that external observers try to understand the Protestant and Unionist side too. They are often maligned in a simplistic ‘good vs evil’ narrative. You’d be surprised by their hospitality and industry. I’’d never deny that there was brutality and violence from both sides, any ethno-religious conflict with long roots in the past is going to have this problem. Targeting of civilians is wrong, and it always happens in these conflicts, which is why we should strive to avoid them. Targeting of combatants and mingling the categories to give cover, well that’s something else completely. It puts the authorities in a tricky situation where the right choices aren’t obvious.

unmole 3y ago

When was the last time a Catholic monarch threatened Northern Ireland? And How many divisions has the Pope?

HeckFeck 3y ago
The key word was ‘historically’, when relating to the likes of James or Bloody Mary. Lots of people feel deeply connected to their history and struggle, why should Northern Protestants be deprived of theirs? The Pope had something more powerful than divisions: words and authority over his flock. Back in the day that commanded more loyalty than to monarch. But in recent times, the source of the violence was the IRA and other Republican groups.
- defrost 3y ago
  and the phrase "violently opposed by Ulster loyalists" never once was uttered during the time of the troubles? Nor indeed the sentence "The police, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), were overwhelmingly Protestant and known for sectarianism and police brutality.? Pretty sure it takes two side to keep that shit up for three decades and more. ( Both extracts sourced from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Troubles )
  - HeckFeck 3y ago
    I’d just ask that external observers try to understand the Protestant and Unionist side too. They are often maligned in a simplistic ‘good vs evil’ narrative. You’d be surprised by their hospitality and industry. I’’d never deny that there was brutality and violence from both sides, any ethno-religious conflict with long roots in the past is going to have this problem. Targeting of civilians is wrong, and it always happens in these conflicts, which is why we should strive to avoid them. Targeting of combatants and mingling the categories to give cover, well that’s something else completely. It puts the authorities in a tricky situation where the right choices aren’t obvious.