Catholics are re-thinking their nationalism

[MariaMcN]

I ponder if that is why in the NILT survey Sinn Fein are always understated and SDLP are always overstated in political affiliation. Traditional social acceptance.

Could be. Voting SF is still seen as a bit naughty and subversive. The NILT survey findings didn't seem very credible to me though.

[O'Sullivan Bere]

I really feel for Leinster and it appears the standard of care in that home was below levels that society should provide for all children. Hopefully his campaign is successful.

It seems that Bethany Home is accused of poor standards of care which is described as neglect. There doesn't seem to be much accusation against the CoI though and the Eire state comes under more of the fire for alienating Protestants as being outside the system. The state even seems to have advised that home to not accept Catholic babies for care because the RC Church had made complaints that it was unfit for RCs not because of standards of care but because it wasn't a RC institution. The state to this day excludes that Protestant institution from their responsibility and therefore excludes those Protestants who were detained / resident there.

Can you provide any link to Presbyterian Church abuse as intimated earlier?

I know that was to Arty, but no religious institution is likely clean on this topic IMO, including the Presbyterian Church. Although the Wee Frees aren't formally connected to the Presbyterian Church, take the Emma Sterritt scandal for example as covered by BBC Northern Ireland's 'Spotlight' back in 2006:

Free Presbyterian Church - Child Abuse Scandal -1.flv - YouTube
Free Presbyterian Church Child Abuse Scandal [2]

Considering the girl was only 13 with force alleged, I found what the ministers were saying in the BBC tape extremely concerning. There was also the James Doherty scandal where court evidence included claims that Ian Paisley and other church officers covered it up, etc.

BBC NEWS | UK | Northern Ireland | Paisley 'meeting on abuse claims'

It's certainly not an exclusive problem and moral default of the RCC...it's the size and scope of their default and less than admirable responses to it that have raised the ire of many.

[William T Riker]

Eh, that education and civilization was largely driven by disciples of Christianity.

I'd contest the idea that Voltaire, Hume, Diderot, Paine et al. were disciples of Christianity.

[William T Riker]

Maria I don't think most countries have fully staffed North South Bodies with executive powers. Here: Waterway Ireland, in Enniskillen.

Of course they do, the International St. Lawrence River Board of Control is shared between the United States and Canada.

Shared waterway boards are a common occurrence. You certainly didn't need a GFA for that.

[MariaMcN]

I'd contest the idea that Voltaire, Hume, Diderot, Paine et al. were disciples of Christianity.

The Enlightenment was not all of civilization.

[ArtyisBack]

it's the size and scope of their default and less than admirable responses to it that have raised the ire of many. You won't get an argument from me on that - was there no some woman from Wicklow with conections to Portadown as well? Then Kincora.

Wherever you find vulnerable people - especially children - you will get vile animals in the guise of humans wanting to take advantage.

[Garza]

Could be. Voting SF is still seen as a bit naughty and subversive. The NILT survey findings didn't seem very credible to me though.

Meh, maybe they are, maybe they are not. I would really like more independent polling, but the NILT is the only poll we have that asks the question about the border.

[daniels]

it's the size and scope of their default and less than admirable responses to it that have raised the ire of many. You won't get an argument from me on that - was there no some woman from Wicklow with conections to Portadown as well? Then Kincora.

Wherever you find vulnerable people - especially children - you will get vile animals in the guise of humans wanting to take advantage.

I'm afraid that implies humans are incapable of being vile, which iscontradicted by history.

[William T Riker]

The Enlightenment was not all of civilization.

It was not, but without the admixture of Greek philosophy, Jewish laws and Eastern mysticism, Christianity would not exist.

[MariaMcN]

It was not, but without the admixture of Greek philosophy, Jewish laws and Eastern mysticism, Christianity would not exist.

Christianity didn't grow out of a an intellectual or spiritual vacuum but it profoundly shaped western civilization.