Below
is a selection of open-ended responses that relate to the question:
'What about relations
between Protestants and Catholics? Would you say they are better than
they were 5 years ago, worse, or about the same now as then?'
As I am 16, I think our generation has
bypassed the worst of the troubles and so I don't think community
relations are as bad as they seemed to be then. But I think that people
are still refusing to realise that all the fighting and bombing isn't
furthering our aspirations for N.I. I think I am the most anti-Republic[an]
Catholic in the country and it really annoys me when the IRA's tactics,
like the Brighten bomb, are shown on TV again, because I am embar[r]assed
to be a Catholic then. I would rather they did nothing as opposed
to fighting for a united Ireland like they do. I too wish for a United
Ireland, but there is no way that we can have it if the IRA (and Sinn
Fein) don't wise up. I don't think that it's just Sinn Fein's fault
though. If the DUP can't sort out themselves, how is an agreement
to be reached with another parties?
Both the Catholic + Protestant communities
are equally to blame for the state in which our country is in today.
Many of those who are involved in paramilitaries + sectarian riots
do not even know of the original religious reason why there are different
religions in N[orthern] I[reland]. I think many are influenced by
school, friends + parents. Sectarianism is pointless + drags our country
down.
Community relations are improving however,
severe divisions are still evident. I find these divisions annoying
as we are all still human beings and we should not let divisions in
religion or race divide us like it has.
Community relations are shit!!!
Disgusting.
I find the prejudice very sickening.
I find the stories on the news about
community relations in Northern Ireland hard to watch. I also see
it as a downside to relations in Northern Ireland.
I think it has gotten out of hand between
Protestants & Catholics. They are both as bad as the other and no
longer know what they are fighting for.
I think it might have slightly improved
over the past few years but there is still so much sectarian violence
in N. Ireland and it must be stopped.
I think that sectarianism is completely
pointless and stupid!!
I think they have improved a great deal.
I myself represented the UK in the European Youth Parliament and though
Catholics were in the minority within the group, there was nothing
said and I have made some very firm friends due to everyone's acceptance.
I think they have improved. I mean they
aren't perfect but at least bombs aren't going off in Belfast everyday.
I just hope we continue to try and make things better and peaceful
for everyone.
I wish they were better.
In some areas they are not good.
In some interface areas there is a lot
of tension between the different communities as a minority of small-minded
people have bitter views and cause trouble.
It disgusts me, I don't understand how
people can hate each other so much due to religion; half the people
don't even follow their religion!
It sucks!
It's looking better
Most members of [the] community do get
along with one another.
Most normal people don't go around bombing
everyone. There isn't any serious animosity in most cases. Those who
are not from N[orthern] I[reland] have this completely wrong idea
that we spend everyday hiding in terror. Yes in some extreme cases
that's true, but most people get along.
Most people I know don't care about whether
someone is Catholic or Protestant, however, it is only in housing
estates it seems that people are sectarian.
Northern Ireland is one place we can't
even go into different parts of the area, certain shops.
Over the last few years there have been,
in my opinion, better community relations. However if the political
side of things doesn't improve […]there will be renewed trouble.
They [community relations] just get worse
because more Catholics are getting progeny and they start fighting
easier.
They are a joke, country is in a mess.
They are bad!!
They are improving but there is a long
way to go.
They are terrible and I can't see them
changing.
They can be very strained in certain
areas.
They're all the fucking same!
Things haven't changed much in last 30
years in terms of feelings to each other and doesn't look like changing
soon.
Where I live we have very rarely seen
any tension between Catholics and Protestants.
Think they have improved a lot. It's
easier to socialise and talk to people of other religions because
of cross community schemes.
