The Troubles

[iwantperfection]

The troubles in Northern Ireland have been a long, on~going, media covered saga. Many murders and sad stories. As someone who grew up in it i would like to know the views of others on it, from all fellow uk posters and the US guys etc.

What were your views on it? Did you see much of it on the news where you live? Did you understand it? Was it a war between two armies fighting a religious war or was it terrorists terrorising others for power? I am interested in your thoughts.

 

[The Gardener]

I guess I viewed it as kind of a low grade civil war. Two contentious sides... but I'd surmise that the majority of the population probably just wanted to live in peace and be done with it. Kind of like the "bloods" and "crips" gang warfare here in Los Angeles, both sides with their respective "turf" and "families" to defend... but with added elements of religion and national sovereignty mixed in to make it a more intractable conflict.

 

[Cassin]

Weird I typed a reply but its gone...

It is covered in the US and I know enough about it to understand that someone would have to love their to really get it. Doesn't seem to have an end in sight right now.

 

[ali777]

but I'd surmise that the majority of the population probably just wanted to live in peace and be done with it.

I don't think that was the case in NI. It's a tiny territory and it was impossible for the "majority" to escape the political struggle. I'd say most of the people were politically involved with either side... I'm not saying they chose armed fight, but politically and ideologically they were all involved.....

I don't think we can simplify what went on as a terrorist or religious activity. The religious side of it was probably stronger than the British-Irish disagreements.

 

[iwantperfection]

Nicely put. As a protestant i consider myself british. Though like many alike i do not have a problem with catholics. I think a large problem was the lower class as these estates harbour bad ideas and bring up their children in their mindset. For example like LA if someone like myself were to walk into the wrong area, even today, i would be killed. I have witnessed bombs etc and am glad its all calmed down though we are undeniably a long way from 'peace'.

 

[dimitar_berbagod]

I typed in a long response but its gone!

Essentiallly the struggles began as class struggles. The landowners happened to be Protestants, loyal to the English crown, who suppressed their tenants, who were Catholic. (This was as far back as the 16th century)

Since then the troubles have been labelled religious ones, which they are since the indigenous population happen to be Catholic. The populus who has taken part in revolt has almost exclusively been Catholic (although Wolfe Tone, who led a revolt in 1798 was ironically Protestant) as its the Catholics who have been poorer than the Protestants for the most part.

For the record I'm English (with some Irish) and Catholic. I have friends who are Protestants and have no problem with Protestants whatsoever.

 

[dimitar_berbagod]

I think a large problem was the lower class as these estates harbour bad ideas and bring up their children in their mindset
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Perhaps this has more to do with their surroundings than to do with their mentality. I'm sure if these people grew up in relative prosperity they would be good upstanding citivens like you or I

 

[iwantperfection]

i think the Omagh bomb was the first turning point .The IRA killed their own that day and lost support and trust. The saddest momment for me was the 'corporal killings'.Can be seen on utube. 2young british soldiers drove by accident into an ira funeral cortege. Their car was charged by the crowds. they were draged out beaten stabbed and shot then left to die. Was all caught on film by overhead helicopter. The 2men were driving to the airport to go home. The wrong turn cost them their lives.

 

[iwantperfection]

DB.... saying you have no problem with protestants is alot different. In england religion is no big deal. In N.I for example a protestant might hate catholics. However that means a catholic from n.i and NOT in general. To protestants english catholics are just english ppl. However its different for catholics.. if you being english went to a catholic estate saying you were catholic it wouldnt be ok. With an english accent u'd likely be killed. To them 'brits' are all the same. British=enemy.phew! confusing

 

[MEANSTREET]

well if u think that the troubles were due to religion then ur wrong, it was due to the 'brits' i.e. army and police taking control over peoples lives. protestants were also in the IRA too but most joined the INLA so its obviously a bit deeper than just religion, it was about keeping ur home. i'm a protestant and from belfast and i know i want to live in a land of my own aswell as other people do. its the closest thing we're gona get to a united ireland and the closest thing to peace. its working good

 

[iwantperfection]

it didnt start as a religion thing but turned into one in 70s. Protestants in the IRA is going back a long time. Personally i support everything the police / army did.

A united ireland will never happen and im glad. Im british and hate to be called irish. Personally i have never experienced much trouble with catholics , its the other prods ya needa watch out for. its funny how to english ppl we all just from n.i. But here we can tell whos what religion by just looking, the catholics looking irish.

 

[decro435]

I'm from the west of Ireland and have heard stories etc. about the troubles in Northern Ireland.

It just doesn't make sense to me. Why people get so into boundaries/religions. It was all the same landmass once. Once people start classifying themselves into groups it seems to start trouble. There was always going to be ethnic groups and tensions between them I suppose it's human nature.

If someone called me British I'd tell them I wasn't. I don't see any reason to get offended , I've got nothing against them. If somebody called me Protestant I wouldn't even care. I'll be protestant to them if they want. It always seems to go back to religion.. what the hell?
Why do people care so much about religion? I believe every religion is full of crap anyways , none of it makes any sense or has any real evidence. You don't see me blowing anyone up or discriminating against anyone

 

[iwantperfection]

funny thing about it being a religion issue is they are both christianity. i could nearly understand it if it was christianity and islamic like israel and palestine. funny...protestants fly the israely flag at marches etc..they see themselves as fighting the same war.

 

[dimitar_berbagod]

i could nearly understand it if it was christianity and islamic like israel and palestine.
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Israelis are Jews.

 

[iwantperfection]

dnt get a***. believe in god..same sorta thing. not two diff gods.

 

[dimitar_berbagod]

I'm not getting a***, and no its not the same thing. Its two completely different religions.

 

[OverMachoGrande]

Sorry guys we need to stay off the religious topics as per the forum rules.

 

[dimitar_berbagod]

Ok fair enough Propecia Junkie. I didn't say anything contraversial though. I just said the official religion of Israel is Judaism

 

[OverMachoGrande]

No problem, it was not just you I was referring to. No worries.