Would it be possible to establish an organisation like the Orange Order in Scotland in 2018?
I rather think that such a new outfit might find itself on the wrong side of the law.
Of course, many things are tolerated in a society simply because they are “traditional”.
In sub-Saharan Africa female genital mutilation (FGM) is a staunchly defended tradition in many communities.
Yes, it is a barbaric form of child abuse with lifelong consequences for the woman.
However, it is traditional.
The Scotland I was born in had a different type of FGM and that was traditional too.
Fenians Gratuitously Maligned.
On Saturday on the steps of St Alphonsus, the FGM brigade let loose with saliva and sectarianism.
Since then I have spoken to several of the parishioners who were there that day.
They’ve been interviewed by the police and it would appear that Scotland’s finest are keen to get the man who spat on Canon Tom White.
I share the feelings of those that I spoke with is that this is a box ticking exercise for official Scotland.
If the spitter is brought to justice then the FGM can continue as per normal.
This statement from the Parish Pastoral Councils of both St Mary’s and St Alphonsus is hard to refute.
In the northeast of this country, there are thousands of parades by the “Loyal Orders” each summer.
Many historians believe that the spark that ignited the Northern war (1969- 1998) was when Apprentice Boys threw pennies down on the nationalist Bogside.
That taunting of a poor, socially excluded community from the city walls was also traditional.
Then on August 12th 1969, the Fenians of the Bogside decided that their days of being Generally Maligned was over.
The uprising had begun.
Thankfully there is no need for Molotovs in Glasgow to stop this toxic cocktail of Herrenvolk swaggering and ethno–religious hatred.
A petition to call time on the Orange Walk in Glasgow has already attracted thousands of signatures.
You can find it here.
The Orange Order is part of a tradition (there’s that word again!) that has a visceral antipathy towards a faith group that has historically been socially excluded in Scotland.
In Northern Ireland, the Parades Commission has been an important part of resolving the contentious marches issue.
The number of parades that cause difficulties has been slowly dealt with, mainly through re-routing or restrictions on music being played near Catholic churches.
Sometimes, the determinations of the Parades Commission are ignored by strangely dressed men with flutes.
However, overall it has created a forum for resolving these flashpoints.
It just might be that Fair Caledonia could learn from Northern Ireland on this issue.
I believe that it is still the contention of the SNP government that Scotland is the best small country in the world.
No comment…
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An organisation like the O.O. would not be founded today because the socio-economic and political conditions which gave rise it and its equivalents on the Catholic/Nationalist side (Defenders, Ribbonmen, Ancient Order of Hibernians) no longer exist. That would explain why the O.O. has shrunk to around 34,000 members in N.I. and is an even more micro group in Scotland. It no longer has a raison d’etre.
I hear that former Irish rugby captain, Brian O’Driscoll was playing a lambeg drum at an Orange parade today, outside Belfast, at least, things seem to be more relaxed. As a Donegal resident I’m surprised that Phil hasn’t taken time to mention that, over the last two weeks, a small minority of the “Fenians of the Bogside” have been rioting, throwing petrol bombs and attacking the Fountain Estate, the last Protestant area on the west bank of the Foyle. A couple of nights ago shots were fired at the police. So anti-social behaviour isn’t limited to those from one political or religious background.
Much of what we call tradition today was invented by the Victorians – such as the nuclear family, for example, but in answer to your opening question, it would not be possible to establish an organisation like the Orange Order in Scotland in 2018, or indeed anywhere else in the civilised world. Why are they marching in Scotland? Where from, where through and where to – and for what purpose? It’s about time a stop was put to it.
The “nuclear family” – a heterosexual couple and their dependent offspring – is an anthropological reality, not a Victorian construct.
Thanks, Phil. Having observed the annual display of anti-Catholic
feeling, dressed up as tradition, in Coatbridge and Coleraine it is time
for a change. It’s time for all political parties, churches and individuals to
condemn this display of British Nationalism pretending to be defenders of the faith. Some parties appear to want
to capture this right-wing vote. As an aside, a number of Labour, Tory and Liberal MPs were instrumental in forming the Westminster rangers supporters club.
SNP hide from Scotland’s shame labour relying on there votes beetroot men with bowler hats who come out in the summer should go to church in the winter and practice what the preach bottom line we’re are living in modern times with draconian acts taking place Wee should take a leaf out of the people of the bogside and ardoyne and defend our own areas but we life in a small country of acceptance I will say it again if it was England or Wales there would be an outrage voting in this country is worse than the north of Ireland so many broken promises
These ‘people’ think they own Scotland and can do as they please,they’re wrong.
I submitted a comment on a previous article and left a little bit of the information out.It was what my son said after I’d shown him the YouYaTube(Scots ver.1.0) after he saw the videos on there I showed him another from Twitter that simply showed the marchers waddling down the road through an open window.The camera then pans round to show a guy with a balaclava on with a very menacing stare.We laughed at this coz I kinda told him what it was about,not entirely though,so We could still get a laugh.
His next comment after stating they’d be better off in Disney World,after the second video he said,’Dad that looks like someone from that Michael Collins video,like an IRA soldier or hitman man’ I said ‘yip your correct.’What he said then took me aback,he said and I quote,’why doesn’t someone take a machine-gun to them and blow them All away’.I was stunned,although I had to laugh,he said ‘why is that so funny.’
I then told him that IF that were to happen it would start a religious war in Scotland ???????
They say something like ‘the words out of babes and children are innocent but can be very wise at times’(I know that isn’t the exact saying)this example was NOT one of those times.
For me;No comment too.
Thanks Phil,very much appreciated.☮️✅???????????? Tomorrow evening should be quite good fun?Prògres,mmmm…..
So, we want to preserve one group’s freedoms by denying another group’s freedoms?
Seems to me that sensible policing and aggressively prosecuting anyone involved who breaks the law is a better way to go. If the US can handle actual Nazi parades then I’m sure Scotland can handle an Orange Walk.
What I found interesting,though unsurprising,was the reactions of many of those Orgs tasked with ensuring “equality/diversity” in our society.Nil by mouth et al were completely absent while condemnation from SNP Politicians was very slow to come and in complete contrast to their actions re the supposed “shame game” that gave birth to the OBAF act.Events like this have been a part of Orange Walks for years and nary a word of condemnation from our “progressive” politicians.Well,all this talk of “New inclusive Scotland” is little more than a cosmetic exercise in rebranding-no appetite to tackle the substantive issues in our society IE anti-irish racism.Its a pity Canon White doesn’t identify as LGBT then the politicos would’ve piled in with their condemnation/virtue signalling.
some more equal than others eh?
When Nicola Sturgeon released her boldest of bold statement about eradicating sectarianism in Scotland I genuinely laughed.
I actually posted a comment on another site that she will face a lot of resistance from within, based on the lack of Police investigation
into criminal behaviour/threats in relation to your dealings with SRTRC.
However given SRTRC recent comments on BR they may have been more willing to have a go at you Phil than it first appeared…..given your “warnings” have you considered it was a set up ??? You were due a public discrediting !!!
What is not in doubt however is the reluctance to ban these marches as they have been normalised and as a result attacks like the one in Glasgow are being ignored then down played by those charged to protect. We exactly were they protecting on these days…..the right to march ???
More depressingly what has become accepted however, are illegally organised, facist, anti Catholic, marches enroute to Ibrox. This was a cowardly decision by the authorities, it set a precedent. A new low or level if you will ? Its increasingly looking like policy to ignore hate crime against certain sections of Scottish Society. Let them march, it’s expected, less hassle if we let them go, it’s ok, it’s normal, it’s Scotland.
It is Scotland,but that does not mean We ALL have to settle for the status quo.☮️
So where have all the comments gone? HH
They’re behind you,⚠️✅ that joke is either way too late or early for pantomime season HH✅
When you have a local newspaper?? Headlining a story with a link between king billy and gareth southgate you just know that Scotland in general and glasgow in particular will never be rid of this affront to decent society.
It’s amazing that the orange order were able hold an inquiry, speak to witnesses, verify alibis e.t.c and come to the conclusion that they had nothing to do with it. If only we had them in all the courts in the land then justice would be handed out speedily. It’s time the ‘tradition’ of the overdressed majorettes came to an end along with the hatred and violence that comes with it. HH
Petition signed!
Tolerated in Donegal as well.
Yes.
However, the “vibe” at Rossnowlagh is very different.
Perhaps that is because the brethren know that the local police will not tolerate any…err…traditonal acting out.
The “vibe” at an Orange walk is always the same Phil. Croppies lie down, F The Pope. Doesn’t matter where it’s held.
i agree with every word phil and await the scottish gov reply. i have voted snp for the last couple of years and if they are shown not to do anything about this except lip service then that vote is gone