Why decommissioning matters to Unionists(now more than ever)

[pluralist]

We have known for some time that one of the issues holding up the GFA has been the failure of paramilitaries to live up to their responsibilities and decommission their weapons.

One point that I feel has been missed by many is the importance of the Christian Evangelical worldview in the mindset of many Unionists.

Evangelical Christians tend to place considerable importance on the sinner repenting of his misdeeds and thereby being 'saved' or 'borne again' through the grace of Christ.

This is what Paisley meant with his "The IRA need to be humiliated. They need to wear their sackcloth and ashes" speech late last year.

To many (most?) Unionists, decommissioning represents a public act that a person's ways have changed.

We would do well to listen to their voices, and heed the influence of the Christian evangelical world view on many Protestant Unionists.

Of course, post Northern Bank raid, it is difficult to imagine what would satisfy Paisley short of actually allowing him to publicly witness full decommissioning on Live TV, although in fairness he is still leaving the door open to some extent.

Thoughts?

P.S.: Anyone who doubts any of the above should read the book "Evangelical Protestants in Northern Ireland" by Glenn Jordan

[gobshite]

reads like the front page of the daily mail

[pluralist]

reads like the front page of the daily mail

You think so? See, I find it interesting to get beyond tribalism, to see the world through another's eyes, to understand different mindsets. This I believe to be worthwhile and advantageous in conflict resolution.

I'm sorry if you don't agree.

[LowIQ]

And when will these "Christians" repent for their sins? It takes two to tango.

[cain1798]

We have known for some time that one of the issues holding up the GFA has been the failure of paramilitaries to live up to their responsibilities and decommission their weapons.

Read it and worth reading but your post is based on a false premise. The GFA does not and never did require decommissioning of weapons as a precondition to political progress.

And since republicans are not embarassed or ashamed of armed struggle, we are highly unlikely to feign such emotion to please a group of people noted for reactionary, bigoted politics based on violence and subjegation.

[pluralist]

And when will these "Christians" repent for their sins? It takes two to tango.

True, true.

[pluralist]

And since republicans are not embarassed or ashamed of armed struggle, we are highly unlikely to feign such emotion to please a group of people noted for reactionary, bigoted politics based on violence and subjegation.

Then decommissioning when it happens must be presented by republicans purely in terms of "the arms are no longer necessary". Unionists can be allowed, if they so choose, to view it in terms of "Oh, looks like they repented". The action can be interpreted in different ways, perhaps? Don't tell me some level of ambiguity isn't advantageous in times of conflict resolution!

'Tis an interesting book none the less, as you say.

[hiker]

Whilst not having the inside track on Northern politics, I would hazard a guess that de-commisioning is not a big issiu with the IRA anymore. THEY know there not not going back down that route. Sinn Fein and SDLP knows it too. And I think even the DUP know it.
The question is not when it's going to happen but HOW.

In a land where the "symbol" means everything, the trick is HOW do you bring the weapons out of the bunkers, into the public arena and then immediatly into that big builder's skip.
I would suggest an elaborate and, if neccesary, a pompous ceromony. A ceromony in which all sides of the conflict are represented and where the ACT OF DE-COMMISIONING is recognised.
In northern Ireland,"Image is Everything"

[CharlieBird]

it's a red herring and should be dumped (excuse the pun) by the IRA, if the IRA come to the descision to stand down, then thats the end of decomisissioning. It was never part of the GFA and the basis of arguing it as a stumbling block to progress was always just a unionist red herring, which incidentally led to the decomissioning of the UUP voice in politics.

[O Dalaigh]

also the fact the its completely irrevevent