Why has it been so difficult bringing peace to Northern Ireland?

Question

Can anyone answer this in a timeline approach or a small essay approach to help me gather my own ideas and structure for when I have to answer myself?

I have a structure guide which shows the main elements I could answer this question with, but obviously there is no right answer as all of the elements to the answer: (Politics, Religion, Land, Terrorist groups ... and I could go on like that for ages) are all correct when answering.
So basically I need somebody to answer the question using any element they wish, this will then give me a large scale on how I can structure and answer the question.

Please note carefully, that I am not asking this question to be a cheat, becasue you cannot "Cheat" on a question which has no exact answer. I intend to analyse the best answer I receive in terms of structure and key details which will then allow me to have a good sense for my own answer.

Answer 1

I hope you do not mind getting an answer from someone who does not live in Europe, let alone the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

I think you may find trouble receiving valuable answers for the following reason: Nobody is allowed to talk about the System (and how it operates); therefore the real issues are never discussed.

It is a bit like trying to get a picture of events in the Middle East. If you ask many inhabitants of the area, whether they are Jewish or whether they are Arab, you might get a lot of information on who threw missiles at whom, and how many.

As I see it, the main problem that exists between Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland lies in Freemasonry, a cult of theft that is somewhat public but basically operates behind closed doors. You could refresh your knowledge of Freemasonry by visiting web sites such as http://www.freemasonrywatch.org and http://www.conspiracyarchive.com, as well as http://www.savethemales.ca. You would have to follow the links once you got onto the web sites. Most of the web sites I have seen on the matter seem to dwell on the practice from the top, denouncing big corporations and politicians. However, Freemasons can do a lot of damage at the grassroots level, and they spread their influence in smaller local communities.

Freemasonry has long been a way of life in Northern Ireland, from about the time it was settled in the early 17th century by large populations English settlers, as well as large numbers of Scottish. The British had confiscated the land and "planted" many of these settlers. The Orange Lodges of Northern Ireland are really Freemasonry lodges. Because Freemasonry fudges traditional religious teaching and thought into its occult and "Old Knowledge" Gnostic-based doctrine it is accepted by religious organizations such as the Presbyterian Church and the Anglican Church. Calvinistic doctrines seem to be very compatible with it. However, Freemasonry traditionally has been condemned as heretical by the Pope, and it was not until the early 1990s that Roman Catholics did not face excommmunication for joining Freemasonry lodges organizations. The problem of relations between Catholics and Protestants is thus a religious one, at least to the extent I have mentioned. However, it is rather simplistic to think that they are fighting one another because of nitpicky differences in religious doctrine (such as how much authority the Pope should hold and how many sacraments a religious body should maintain).

Freemasons exert a lot of influence in business. Because they are very organized and have many connections they are able to establish themsleves as business people and industrialists much more easily than others who do not have these connections. It thus makes sense that Northern Ireland is more developed industrially and economically than is the south of the island (i.e. the Republic of Ireland). Unfortunately, it is part of the belief system of these people that individuals cannot get more for themsleves without doing someone else out. Doing others out is what they appear to do well, only they tend to do people out behind closed doors and to cut many deals. It is much more difficult for Catholics to obtain benefits and advancement from Freemasons and their companies in the work environment and elsewhere. The Catholics thus feel done out. In order to get more from them they are required to "sacrifice" more. I actually suspect they are required to put the lives of other Catholics on the line, especially members of their own families. Around the middle of the 20th century, many citizens of the Republic of Ireland started moving to Northern Ireland in search of jobs, because their own country was economically depressed and Northern Ireland was more prosperous. Their increasing numbers generated resentment by some of the citizens of Northern Ireland. Beginning around the mid-1960s, riots between Protestants and Catholics began to occur. They often were provoked by the custom of the annual Orange Parade that is held on July 12th in Northern Ireland. It honours William of Orange (joint king of England with his wife Mary II from 1689 to 1702), who continued the ruthless policy of Oliver Cromwell in the south of Ireland, confiscating land and giving it to many English courtiers, soldiers and adventurers. Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, much of the violence has come to a halt. It seems that the IRA terrorists, as well as the government troops, began to look at themselves more objectively after witnessing terrorist behaviour attributed to bin Laden, the Taliban and other groups of terrorists that have arisen in the Middle East. I hope you get more answers on the matter.

Please note that until the Government of Ireland Act of 1920, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were not separate countries.

The first significant rift between the two parts of the island occurred in 1886 when Gladstone proposed the Home Rule Bill. The Protestants in the north feared domination by the strong Catholic south in the island. The Bill of 1920, previously mentioned, set up two separate parliaments. However, the continually growing Catholic minority stands as a threat to the Protestant hegemony in the north of the island (i.e. Northern Ireland). I believe that it is the reason why Northern Island resists union with the south, which would appear more logical, at least on the surface. The problem, you can see, is also a demographic one as well as a matter of religions.

The Titanic is actually an appropriate testament to the influence of Freemasonry in Northern Ireland. Freemasons believe they can become gods. They believe that they can become godlike in part through good works. However, I have noticed that their contributions to communities often are tokenistic and cannot compensate for what they are "taking" from the individuals in the communites.

The problem plays out in all areas of the globe, I believe, including North America. The Scots-Irish, predominantly from Northern Ireland were among the first European settlers in the United States, and they probably have left their imprint on Geroge W. Bush, a member of Skull & Bones society. The Scottish Rite order of Freemasonry, as an institution, appears to be part of the woodwork of the United States. The capitol of Washington is a good example. Freemasons undoubtedly control the stock markets. They are present in big numbers on a number of police forces and have not been known to be kind or just to the public, including aboriginal people.

On two separate occacions I was sitting at a table in dining and drinking establishments, and Freemasons and their family members were sitting close to me at differnet tables. I could overhear bits of their conversation, which went like this: "We took from", "we'd like to take more", "we feel we've taken all we can take from".

Freemasons have married into my family. They are present in workplaces and educational institutions. They often seem to run every show. The Mormon religion is based on Freemasonry related thought and doctrine. They get taught the Yin and the Yang ideology, as do, I believe, the regular ones. People just need to perk up their ears to learn more.

I am not sure whether having a timeline is the major issue.

I hope this answer helps. I look forward to reading any backlash that might come in as a result of it. It is my hope that if I have submitted incorrect information, someone in the now will set me straight.

It has been my personal observation that Catholics from the Republic of Ireland and Protestants from Northern Ireland get along just fine, almost all the time. A few exceptions may exist. I suspect that much of the clash is egged on by troublemakers.

Answer 2

You have two groups with hundred of years of mistrust between them. The Catholics are the original inhabitants while the Prodestants were brought over to take the land formerly held by the Catholics. They were brought to dominate and controll the Catholics. Institutional favoritism kept the Catholics as 2nd class citizens in their own country.
Its not so much religious as nationalistic. Some of my own family Catholics are in the government and have been there for 60 years. They just support the English is all.

Answer 3

You have already answered your questions. Long ago, "English," "Protestant" people moved not to "North Ireland," but to "Northern Ireland." There they are today. Irish Catholics are in the Republic. Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland feel mutually abused. One reason that it has been so hard to bring peace to Northern Ireland is that the Catholics and Protestants have insisted on assassinating one another. The solution is that Catholics have to be offerred jobs and housing in the North. Protestants have to be assured that they won't be thrown out.

I am a Protestant happily married to my Catholic wife Mary for 41 years. I escort her to Mass, and I try to think of ways to support her in practicing her faith. She also supports me.