Sectarianism News Articles
These links provide access to some articles about sectarianism.
Sectarianism in Iraq by Dilip Hiro
Children's Awareness of Sectarian Symbols
Community, History, and Violence in Nineteenth Century Ottoman Lebanon
Ussama Makdis
Focusing on Ottoman Lebanon, Ussama Makdisi shows how sectarianism was a manifestation of modernity that transcended the physical boundaries of a particular country. His study challenges those who have viewed sectarian violence as an Islamic response to westernisation or simply as a product of social and economic inequities among religious groups. The religious violence of the nineteenth century, which culminated in sectarian mobilisations and massacres in 1860, was a complex, multi layered, subaltern expression of modernisation, he says; not a primordial reaction to it.
Author Judith Brett talks about her new book and the Catholic / Protestant divide in Australian political history.
Tackling Religious Hatred - Action on Sectarianism
Scottish Parliament Consultation through Civic Forum
In June 2001, Donald Gorrie MSP lodged a proposal for a Bill in the Scottish Parliament to address the problems Scotland experiences with sectarianism. His proposals aimed to make crimes carry tougher sentences if a sectarian motivation was proved, and to introduce a code of conduct on tackling sectarian behaviour in general. A working group of MSPs, police officers and experts on racial equality was formed, in order to research the issue more fully.
The consultation 'Tackling Religious Hatred' is the result of the group's research, and contains recommendations for dealing with sectarianism in Scottish life. It considers whether legislation is necessary or desirable, readily capable of enforcement and likely to lead to the reduction of sectarianism and other forms of religious hatred. The Group has also considered whether there are other, more appropriate, ways to tackle the issue of religious hatred and send a strong signal to the public that there is no place for bigotry in today's Scotland.
This briefing paper from the Scottish Civic Forum aims to introduce the main points of the debate and to encourage people to engage with the debate by responding to the consultation. It has sections on The Issues, The Law, Recommendations of the Group, Football-related recommendations, Developing a Way to Work with the Problem, Consultation and about the Civic Forum.
Football - Neil Lennon and Northern Ireland
This article, with links to others on the subject, discusses the Neil Lennon saga of 2001 when he received death threats for playing for Northern Ireland and was booed consistently by a (small?) section of the crowd during an international match against Norway. This was clear sectarian bigotry. As a consequence Neil Lennon did eventually retire from international football. Traditionally in Northern Ireland Gaelic sports have been played by mainly Catholics, rugby mainly by Protestants, with football being a meeting ground. Neil Lennon is a Catholic, plays for Celtic FC and is quoted as saying he would like to play for an all Ireland football team.
BBC News items about Sectarianism in Scotland
The Centre for Contemporary Christianity in Ireland - Lion and Lamb
Two papers are presented in Issue 35 on this website which add to the understanding of issues related to sectarianism - there are other relevant articles in their Archives section.
Christianity and Identity in Ireland - Joe Liechty
A Historical Perspective
'In this paper I want to address two main themes. I want to look first at the relationship between history and identity in a way that addresses the situation facing Irish Christians today, particular in relation to the Christian response to sectarianism. I then want to look at elements of Christian identity which can help Christians come to terms with these historically rooted problems.'
Christianity, Culture and Identity - Alwyn Thomson
Roots of Sectarianism
'It comes as a challenge to all of us to be told that we are not at liberty to dismiss another's culture. In this community where culture has so often been a weapon of political conflict, our natural reaction is to dismiss, ridicule or disparage what we do not understand or what we perceive to be a threat.'
Sectarianism blights all communities in N. Ireland
What is Sectarianism?
Sectarianism is a pervasive process that affects all aspects of our society in Northern Ireland, including tertiary education. This is an article that relates sectarianism to the student experience. Written in November 2002 and accessible to senior secondary students.
Action on Sectarianism - University of Ulster Steps Up Anti-Sectarianism Drive. A short note about grant funding being given to the university to further develop its anti-sectarian training programme.
This website maintained by the Orange Order UK, enables you to obtain an insight into the working of The Order, its ethos and principles. The Order on Parade provides an opportunity to reflect on the most obvious public expression of Orange culture and what it means to their members.
This is a comprehensive website with over 3,000 pages. The section which is most relevant and different from other websites is the one on Extremism. This looks at a huge variety of groups throughout the world and provides a snapshot of each - its beliefs, its activities and sources of funding. This includes the IRA and Ulster Defence Force and other smaller Republican / Loyalist Groups.
The Foundation for Religious Freedom
Educating the public as to religious rights, freedoms and responsibilities - USA-based foundation.
This website focuses on up-to-date articles, some academic, others from the media, on a range of topical issues relating to religion. They are generally short and would be accessible to senior secondary students. However, there is no search engine and articles appear in chronological order with the most recent first; not making it very easy to identify particular topics quickly.
The Origin of Religious Tolerance
This is an academic essay on Voltaire by Wendy McElroy which would appeal to university level students wanting to explore European origins of religious tolerance in England and France. As such, it is relevant to this level of study of sectarian issues.