Sectarian violence in Northern Ireland; has it become less about religion?

Question

My sister lives in east Belfast and looks after elderly west of the city. There has been times when families of her patients have talked about young men intimidating the few Catholic/Protestant families who may live 'dangerous' areas. It is suspected that the political progress between Dr. Paisley and Mr. McGuinness cuts no ice with some of the elder folk, but what about people younger - (most who were born well after 1969) who think chasing a Protestant mother through the back streets of the Falls Road - or a different scenario on the Shankill will have them seen as 'top men'- with other things vexing them rather than what church the few neighbours of their street go to - like the ills of growing up (which we all have)?
Is Stormont seen as a 'social club' for the new firm, or are they closely watching how the Six Counties unfold?

Come on, Lucky...remember the riots in Enland throught the seventies and eighties, with the mos extraordinary places jumping on the copy-cat bandwagon, like Exeter and Carlisle...I doubt you saw dreadlocked brethren being continuously stopped in the former city - or the latter, but the youth n-e-e-d-e-d to get whatever it was off their chest. Just wondering if the same people of Belfast - or a great many are doing the same thing - not caring about the religion of their victims...but using it to cover whatever kind of immaturity they possess.

Excuse my spelling!

Yes (Shane & Tom) - you both have a point but what about a group of, say, 17-20 year olds who use their 'political stance' to kick innocent derriers...the Scottish thing, and - bedamned - religion seems like the last (if any) reason for these thugs to kick off

Socio-economic control, Canadaguy - class, in other words?

Answer 1

Was it ever about religion - I thought it was to do with drug related gangs and illicit stills. Catholics and Protestants [all the other religions like Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglicans etc] believe that 'Thou shalt not kill'

These days nasty lads concealing their faces have nothing whatsoever to do with the desires of a united/disunited Ireland. They are a product of self-hate/dislike - they are no hopers and no chance of getting out of their trap - no chance to show their worth [which we all have] no chance of having their natural aptitudes and abilities developed and channelled into something constructive and rewarding so that they can enjoy the spirit of achievement. On top of all that their heads get filled with rubbish violent TV, robotic violent computer games, drugs, alcopops and anything else to feed their dispirited minds. There's talent amongst those hoodlums - somebody take a different route to solving the problem and their lives and ours would be a lot more chilled out.

Answer 2

The situation in the north was never actually a Religious situation until quite recently. It started out as an economic situation.
Mainly because the six counties in the north didn't want to be unified with the south due to the fact that it would have weakened their economy. Ironically, it's the opposite now, the north would weaken the South's economy.

A lot of the younger protestant generations seem to think that all they should do is have a bonfire with the Irish flag on top of it every year, so it has become a religious thing.

Answer 3

Violence in the North has never been about religion. It's not a religious war. It's political. However political divides do closely split down the middle alongside religious ones. The IRA are not fighting for the Pope, but I suppose it could be said that the loyalists were fighting for the queen. Tom is right.

Answer 4

In honesty I do not think it was ever about religion although it was traded as such and had that appearance. It was about power and an excuse for criminal activities under the guise of religious difference. I was quite amused with GW Bush and his road to Damascus after 9/11

Answer 5

Religion has always been the cover for socio-economic control. This tactic has been used throughout the British empire. The major differences seem to be caused by local racial temperment and tenacity.

Answer 6

It has nothing to do with religion, it is about one side wanting to join Ireland and the other wanting to stay with the UK. The ones who want to stay with the UK are mostly descendents of Scottish settlers while the ones who want to join Ireland are mostly the native inhabitants who happen to be mainly of a Catholic background.

Answer 7

Religions are divisive - shameful but true esp in Northern Ireland.

Answer 8

Religion has a lot to answer for.