B_Skurka said:
Well not wanting to get into the North & South America thing, or even the China thing, but with the desire to start up more grief
can someone please explain to me the 2 following things.
Catholics vs Protastants in Ireland
Shiia vs Sunni in the middle east
I honestly don't get either of those fights. In Ireland don't both believe in the same God and the same Jesus and the same base core beliefs? In the middle east, don't both believe in the same base belief that revolves around Muhammad and the core beliefs that he is the savior?
Honestly, I don't understand either of those fights. I'm not trying to make light of either, I just don't get it.
I can't help you on the Shia vs. Sunni, although I think it might have something to do with secular government vs. religious government. For example, Iran is a religious state, while Saddam's Iraq was secular. The new majority in Iraq will probably gravitate towards a more religious government, in line with Iran. I have some doubts as to whether that is really the outcome we would like, but it's what we will get.
However, as the grandson of a man who wore Orange every St. Patrick's Day until he died, I do know a little about the Irish situation. It's not Catholic vs. Protestant in the sense that we think about those groups. The religious angle is just a convenient label. It's actually British vs. nationalist Irish. It goes back to the 17th century when William of Orange defeated King James for the British throne. Great Britain became Protestant mostly because the king said so. Most of the Irish did not want to be British, but wanted a separate republic of their own. Thus, the nationalism. They also tended to retain the Catholicism they had under King James.
The reason why the minority of two northern counties (and coincidentally Protestant) was able to hold off the nationalist Irish (and coincidentally Catholic) was because the Ulstermen had the power of the British Empire behind them.
There was a spill-over of religious prejudice as a result of the political battles, but it didn't always make a lot of sense. My Grandmother was typical. During my high school days, I had dated a couple of Catholic girls, and she did not approve. After I met Betsy, and it looked like it was heading towards the rest of our lives, I took Betsy to meet Grandmother. Grandmother was about 87 years old at the time, a large lady, sitting in a Queen Ann chair at the end of a long, narrow living room. Betsy and I entered from the other end of the room, and approached much in the same way as one would approach a throne. "Grandmother", I said, "This is Betsy. Betsy, this is my Grandmother." Grandmother shiifted in the chair and looked directly at Betsy. "Young lady", she asked, "Are you Catholic?" "No. M'am", Betsy replied, "I'm Lutheran." "Harrumph, Just as bad", said Grandmother Graham.
That was more than 43 years ago and Betsy and I are still together, so I guess those pejudices were not passed down. But, when I wear something green on St. Patricks Day, I wonder if my Grandfather is rolling in his grave.
Mean, petty and stupid!!!!!!!:StickOutT