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Introduction:
The Politics of Holiness
Derek Poole
Comment
David McMillan
From
the Director
David Porter
Boundary
Markers
Heather Morris
A
Passion for Holiness or Dangerous Purity
Bishop Harold Miller
In
the Flowing Tide
Steve Stockman
Holy
Sectarianism
Alwyn Thomson
Book
Reviews
Alwyn Thomson
BOOK REVIEWS
Them
and Us?
Attitudinal Variation among Churchgoers in Belfast
FW Boal, MC Keane, DW Livingstone
Institute of Irish Studies, 1997
This study is an investigation of "the opinions of both Protestants and Catholics on a wide variety of social, political, and religious issues." (Preface)
In their introduction the authors note the prevailing tendency to see Northern Irish society as consisting of two monolithic blocks. This is a view they wish to take issue with arguing that "such stereotypical portrayals fail to do justice to reality." (3) Their argument is based on an extensive survey of attitudes among Protestant and Catholic churchgoers in Belfast a survey not limited to religious belief and practice but dealing with moral, social and political views also.
Much of the book is taken up with presentation and analysis of the data from the survey. Chapter 2 deals with Catholic churchgoers; chapter 3 with Protestants, while chapter 4 attempts a comparative analysis. If at times the charts, figures and statistics get a little overwhelming the reader can cheat and jump forward to the conclusion of each chapter.
Different readers will be struck by different aspects of the survey. Two elements that I found interesting concerned Protestant attitudes towards joint religious activities and Protestant attitudes towards a united Ireland. On the former the authors found that 27% of those defined as 'conservative' had "participated in an ecumenical worship service" (102) and that 19% of the same group were "happy to participate in such ventures." (103). Moreover, they found that 30% of conservative Protestants were "supportive of greater social and religious co-operation between Protestant and Catholic churches." (103) These seemed to me to be incredibly high figures. On the question of attitudes to a united Ireland the authors found that fear of the influence of Catholicism is still a significant factor shaping Protestant views - indeed it is the most significant factor. Of the five options offered in the survey question, this was the one most commonly selected.
However, the most significant finding of all is that, despite all the diversity of belief and practice among both Catholic and Protestant churchgoers, on the constitutional issue there is almost no difference within either Protestant or Catholic groups and almost no agreement between Protestants and Catholics. In their conclusion the authors recognise this deep gulf on the constitutional issue while arguing that in many other areas there are variations within each group and similarities between the two groups.
Having read this book two questions came to mind. First, are some of the shared values and practices a basis for hope that the disagreement on the constitutional issue can be effectively addressed, or is the latter the defining reality for both Protestants and Catholics? Second, what would a similar survey comparing churchgoers and non-churchgoers come up with. On matters of politics and identity might it show that Christian commitment makes little or no difference?
Don't let the numbers and diagrams put you off. This is a book worth reading, worth thinking about and worth talking about.
Alwyn Thomson is Research Officer with ECONI and is currently involved in the 'God, Land & Nation' project.
Culture
and Policy in Northern Ireland:
Anthropology in the Public Arena
Edited by Hastings Donnan and Graham McFarlane
Institute of Irish Studies, 1997
This book is a collection of essays from practising anthropologists addressing the role of anthropology, with its focus on the significance of culture in analysing and shaping public policy. The introductory essay by the editors, dealing with some of the debates within their discipline, and the concerns that gave rise to the book, can be a little off-putting for non-practitioners. However, it is worth persevering, both with this essay and with the book.
The essays which follow deal with a host of concerns - access to the countryside, rural development, coping with miscarriages, counselling the unemployed, education policy, fair employment legislation and more.
Colin Irwin's contribution compares education policy in Northern Ireland and Israel. Having described the difficulties, dangers and failings of education policy and practice in the two states, Irwin argues that "if individuals.. are willing to use education as a means to peacemaking, then public policy must provide them with every possible opportunity to do so." (112)
Gordon McCoy's piece looks at the relationship between the British Government and the Irish language movement, as well as analysing the differing attitudes to the movement both among Irish speakers and in the wider nationalist and unionist communities.
The final essay comes from the ever-productive Bryan and Jarman on the issue of parades. What is of particular interest here is the very clear way in which they explain the interaction and relationship between their anthropological theory and method and their social policy research on the parades issue.
While for those of us whose knowledge of anthropology doesn't extend much beyond how to spell it this book can seem a little heavy going at times, many of the individual contributions are very valuable.
Alwyn Thomson
Enniskillen:
The Remembrance Sunday Bombing
Denzil McDaniel
Wolfhound Press
All of a sudden an explosion went off. It was a horrendous noise.... The next thing I remember is being pulled out of the rubble. I couldn't see a thing.... I just remember putting my hand in my mouth and finding that most of my front teeth had gone. I tried to open my eyes but I just couldn't see anything; all I could do was hear the noise, taste the dust - that gritty cement dust - taste blood in my mouth. All I could hear was people screaming and shouting' Stephen Ross (15)
The great strength of this book is that it allows the ordinary people of Enniskillen - victims, families, rescuers, and carers - to tell the wider story by recalling their part in it.
As well as recording these stories McDaniel's book also addresses a range of other concerns, including the how and why of the IRA attack, the political fallout, especially for Sinn Fein, and the impact on the wider community in Enniskillen.
However, the heart of the book is the story of the people. Time and time again what comes across is the sense of dignity, integrity and Christian faith displayed by these ordinary folk caught up in these horrific events.
Two things in particular stand out: First, what I can only describe as the 'bigness' of these folk, a 'bigness' moreover, that throws into sharper relief the 'smallness' of the terrorists responsible for the attack. Second, the clear Christian faith of many of those most deeply affected. As Noreen Hill said 'I always said that Satan caused the bomb, but the Lord chose the people.'
In chapter 3, McDaniel tells us the stories of the dead - among them Johnny Megaw, an open air preacher who visited the sick and elderly in the local hospital, buying them Christmas presents; Wesley and Bertha Armstrong, reading the Bible with their grandchildren; Sammy Gault, retired policeman and Red Cross worker, who was saved at a gospel mission in Lisbellaw.
McDaniel also tells us the story of those who survived but whose lives were changed forever (chapters 8 & 9). The same Noreen Hill has nursed her husband Ronnie for ten years as he lies in a coma - Ronnie, former Headmaster of Enniskillen High School and Bible Class Leader in the Presbyterian Church, another man of faith.
I came away from this book reflecting on three things - the depths of human evil, the heights of human dignity and the amazing grace of God.
McDaniel's and Wolfhound Press are to be commended for this sensitive contribution to the experience of 'Enniskillen'. It is a fitting record of the events and consequences of that terrible Remembrance Day.
Alwyn Thomson
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