Welcome to the forum Fraxinus,

before anything else may I suggest, if you haven't already done so, you acquaint yourself with the rules, you may also find this Guide to Good Posting helpful. If you ever need any help please feel free to contact myself or one of the other mods via private message.
If you're feeling brave you could divuldge some more personal information here and perhaps join the rogues gallery. In the mean time would you care to elaberate on which side of the political divide you sit if anywhere?

I hope you will find this a relaxed and friendly place to debate, please try and bear in mind that though your views may be different from another member it doesn't necessarily mean that theirs are wrong.
Look forward to debating with you soon.
Opinionated.

Hey Fraxinus nice to meet you. I've just delivered this lecture on modern Irish politics on another thread. The views of an Irishman would be most welcome:

Originally Posted by D.P.R

You mean ridicule their own religion?

Of course. That's what happened in Ireland with Father Ted. The whole nation roared with laughter and each time they did the power of the church was diminished. Right up to the 1980s Ireland was a God-intoxicated country with reactionary priests ruling the roost, telling raped 14 yr old girls it was their own fault, running a massive child abuse operation. But then came the Celtic Tiger economy, the arrival of Intel etc and huge injections of EU money.

It's a deadly combination so far as bollocking a religion is concerned: cash in people's pockets plus everyone laughing at the priests. By God it worked and Ireland was dragged into the modern age. Plus there's been little or no back-sliding during the current economic crisis: the Catholic Church in Ireland has been well and truly bollocked.

That, in the end, is what will happen with British Muslims if they're not tormented by a Muslim-killing foreign policy or fascist thugs invading their communities. They'll slowly grow wealthier and de-couple from their religion. It's what always happens.

Originally Posted by D.P.R

The average white liberal is frightened of morality since it must ultimately end with their social and economic privileges being removed.

What do you mean? The average white liberal is intensely moralistic. They think everyone should be like them!

Link

Originally Posted by Opinionated

Welcome to the forum Fraxinus,

before anything else may I suggest, if you haven't already done so, you acquaint yourself with the rules, you may also find this Guide to Good Posting helpful. If you ever need any help please feel free to contact myself or one of the other mods via private message.
If you're feeling brave you could divuldge some more personal information here and perhaps join the rogues gallery. In the mean time would you care to elaberate on which side of the political divide you sit if anywhere?

I hope you will find this a relaxed and friendly place to debate, please try and bear in mind that though your views may be different from another member it doesn't necessarily mean that theirs are wrong.
Look forward to debating with you soon.
Opinionated.

Thanks for the links.

I would consider myself a left wing republican but I'm against political violence. As can be seen with this island, it only serves to drive a deeper wedge in society. Currently I don't see any party in Ireland that greatly appeals to me. Politics in Ireland is extremely stale and this has helped create an apathetic nation.