Catholics Like Black Americans?

[Duncer]

Spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, Peter Kearney, today claimed that Scottish Catholics are vicitimised like Black Americans, (his words), in 1950's pre civil rights America.

I thought initially of ignoring this fool, rather than give his remarks any sortof creedence, but his pronouncement defies belief. He claims that Catholics may have to "turn their backs on faith schools and shun public statements of religion". Quite why anyone needs to make public statements about their religion defeats me, and isn't it time we moved on from separating little children on the grounds of religion?

To compare Catholics in modern Scotland with the grievous wrongs and suffering of blacks in 1950's and 1960's America is not only a gross insult, it is ridiculous, although he pre-empts any criticism by saying "I am certain many voices will join this debate, bringing with them a blame the victim mindset. In much the same way as America's black citizens in an earlier era were forced to straighten their hair and whiten their complexions in order to minimise differences with the white majority, many will surely urge Scottish Catholics to stop sending their children to Catholic schools or making public declarations of faith". Oh the self pity? Very good Peter, trying to negate any constructive argument before we even start, but it won't wash. What he is really doing is saying "How dare anyone have a reasoned argument or disagree with me in any way and, if you do, you're a rotten little bigot". Sorry pal, that's not happening.

Catholics do not have separate buses and toilets in Scotland, and they do have a vote. There is legislation to prevent job discrimination, and they are not rounded up and hung from trees, a la Alabama. However, they do partake in the separate schooling from the era you criticise, the only connection between now and then. The slight difference is that we separated kids by colour then, now it's the practice of parting them bsed on outdated religions.

Isn't it time we rid ourselves of any/all connection between religion(s) and state/schools?

In fact, we probably soon will, mainly because of idiotic drivel like this.

[woofgang]

blimey what an idiot.

[Duncer]

I know I am, but I do have a point.

[emmie]

one born every minute, perhaps he would care to actually read up about slavery, and maybe that will make him have a eureka moment.

[emmie]

duncer not you, him the one in the bubble.

[Nibble]

It's idiots like him who make me ashamed to be Scottish - let alone grateful in being an ex-catholic - I am soooo lucky to be away from this type of sectarian, lunacy.

[emmie]

alas there are more where he comes from, and further afield, sadly deluded and dangerous.

[Duncer]

.........and from all sides.

[emmie]

you are so right. He needs a good metaphorical kicking..

[Duncer]

I find the thinly failed attempt to prevent any argument/criticism of his ludicrous statements rather invidious, if not sinister.

Still, that's what they, (religious leaders, not just Catholic ones) do; they try to control.

[vodkancoke]

This moron makes me ashamed to be a Catholic living in Scotland! He is on his own with his thoughts as far as I'm concerned and he can keep his silly opinions to himself! I didn't go to Catholic school, my parents felt the local private school was better and it was open to all faiths and religions.
As Em says, there are far worse idiots in this world but this one needs a good shake and a lesson in what slavery and segregation was.

[Nibble]

How about sending him on a long tour of the Short Strand, they'll soon teach him about discrimination nowadays, or at least in their opinion at the moment :)

[Duncer]

Or even the neighbouring empty houses around Short Strand, empty because of ongoing violence from that area itself.

[emmie]

i have read through your post several times, and quite wonder what the man is on or about, because i can't see someone of below average intelligence saying such a thing, let alone someone who purports to be educated.

[Duncer]

He is supposedly very intelligent and highly educated, and I suspect he is playing a long game, trying to pre-empt any future criticism and cut it off at the pass. Or perhaps it was a slow news day at the church press agency?

[Nibble]

em, there's a lot of difference between intelligence and total blind faith, having the second MAY be a precursor to losing the first (if the person had any in the first place)!

[emmie]

Many Black Americans are still discriminated against, and that is a sad fact of life. My time there wasn't that long, but the attitude of the down home whites, those rednecks you read about hasn't changed much, nor the fact that seeing so much poverty, admittedly not just black people, was shocking for all that.

[jno]

em and vodkancoke, are you really suggesting he read up about slavery in the 1950s? He won't find much.

[Duncer]

There is still discrimination in Scotland, but it is greatly reduced, and certainly not of pre civil rights proportions. We work happily together, apart from heinous football banter, as is the case with most places.

Has anyone told the churches about evolution?

[Nibble]

Thought the Catholic church was still peddling the creationist Noah story, as with all churches it's do what we say, not do what we do.

[Duncer]

...............anbd don't even contemplate a reasoned debate. Religion is always strongest in the poorest, least-educated countries. I wonder why?