I am conscious of the hurt felt by Irish Nationalists living on the Garvaghy Road at the prospect of an Orange church parade passing through their area. Most of the Unionist people would find no offence if such a parade passed through their area - but we would not want a similar Nationalist parade passing down our street. Having said that, both communities do accept Orange or Hibernian parades in some areas and circumstances. We may not agree with the aims and beliefs of the marchers, but we have tolerance on those occasions.
The trouble arises where the particular parade has had a history of contention associated with it. That moves it from being a mere parade to be a win or lose contention. So what considerations remain when we Christians consider contentious parades, parades that are opposed by a majority of locals in the route of the march? In our calling to love our fellowman we should give due weight to their feelings.
Where there are definite and fixed objections from the local community, Orangemen who are believers should respect that and urge their colleagues to choose a different route. They would not be conceding rights, just respecting others' feelings. There are real concerns about the threat to civil & religious liberties in the UK - but they come from ideologies unrelated to Nationalism and Unionism. The British and Irish of Northern Ireland should direct their attention to those, and avoid disrespecting the feelings of our fellow-citizens about the events of 1690 and 1916.
⏩Ian Major grew up a heathen Protestant, was converted at 17. He lives out his Evangelical faith as a Baptist.
Ian,
ReplyDeleteI admire your fortitude in writing this. Also for allowing TPQ to publish it. The sectarianism that wants to push this march through will view your argument with hostility.
That the three unionist parties support the Neanderthals is a clear indication that the GFA really did - as Paul Bew said at the time -institutionalise sectarianism rather than transcend it.
If those people determined to march are Christians, they underscore the contention that there is no hate like Christian love.
Thanks, Anthony.
ReplyDeleteI would be very disappointed if any believer hates his Catholic neighbour. It's rather that they feel threatened, afraid that not getting some form of a return march will further diminish their British identity.
That makes sense, as it is portrayed as exactly that by many Republicans. But it is a narrow view of the matter - the whole history of this march ought to be considered when reflecting on the objections of the residents. The associated violence on both sides, the years of bitter recriminations. And the real alternative route that is available.
If they can see that it is not a threat to their identity to respect the residents' feelings and take the other route, I'm certain they would be content to do so.
Wolfie,
DeleteI think that believers as equally as non believers can hate their neighbour. Neither religion nor atheism cures hatred.
People walking where they want to is fine with me but the history of Garvaghy Road, the killings and intimidation carried out in pursuit of the Orange agenda all add up to something other than a walk.
If a group of Protestant believers came to Garvaghy Road and said a few prayers nobody would notice or care. Members of the Orange Order can walk peacefully and unmolested up and down the Garvaghy Road every day of the week, just like other citizens. Once the Orange appear everything changes.
Where I live the 12th of July passes with no one noticing. Just another day. By contrast the whole country seems to be watching this one. While I don't believe we will see a return to pre 1998 it will raise tensions and animosity between nationalists and unionists. It is a sore that was best not picked at.