Bigotry!! Football problem or social problem

[A Horse called Juan Face]

So what songs do Rangers supporters find religiously offensive - I think that is a fair enough question .
As far as Rangers not signing catholic's is concerned - you named approx 18 dog from 1886 - barely one football team with subs. How many thousand protestant players have played for Rangers - again a fair question - lets put it into perspective.
Ranald, in order to do the debate some justice - can you substantiates your claim -and name the songs that give so much offence.
The Billy Boys was a right wing fascist group in Glasgow. Do Celtic supporters sing songs that remotely resemble - the up to your knees in catholic blood variety. Do they ? please answer . If they do then - I humbly apologise in advance - in other words put up - or shut up.

Next time, make a point of reading the Horse. Ok?

Ask Paul McW, he was in the Celtic end at the aforementioned game, wrapping his sugary gums around that song. And it offended me and my pal the second Maradona, behind me.

[Govangirl]

Here's something just for starters, Ionns:

http://european-football.suite101.com/article.cfm/uefa_investigate_celtic_chants

[ionnsaigh]

Here's something just for starters, Ionns:

http://european-football.suite101.com/article.cfm/uefa_investigate_celtic_chants

Anti Queen songs - and pro IRA songs aren't anti protestant songs.

[A Horse called Juan Face]

Here's something just for starters, Ionns:

http://european-football.suite101.com/article.cfm/uefa_investigate_celtic_chants

Anti Queen songs - and pro IRA songs aren't anti protestant songs.

But being Pro IRA means supporting bombs and death which is offensive. Come on cheif, play the white man.

[ionnsaigh]

Being pro British Army - means supporting bombs death and invasion - How many times have the English army invaded Scotland.
The Queen stands as a figurehead of British Imperialism - Do you not think that by singing - God save the queen - is offensive to the Celtic peoples of Scotland and Ireland. Let me make myself quite clear - I am totally against all types of religious bigotry. However both sides in the equation - have to face up to their own particular brand of sectarianism. To imply the both sides are equally guilty is not accurate. I contend that religious bigotry has more of a home at Ibrox stadium.

[EMDEE]

This is getting a bit heavy here!

Could we not debate the issue of "football or social problem" a bit more objectively?

[dr-sanchez]

However both sides in the equation - have to face up to their own particular brand of sectarianism. To imply the both sides are equally guilty is not accurate.

Brand of sectarianism? It's absurd that you think that there are different "brands" of sectarianism...these chants might have different political or religious content but at the end of the day, they all boil down to bloody events which happened hundreds of years ago! Is bloodshed something to be celebrated at a football match? Maybe to the societies of years and years ago, but this is the 21st century, and times have to change.

You also wrote -

I know which side I'm on - or at least I think I do.

The efforts of the executive, the government and various ruling bodies in football aren't going to be worth much if there are still people justifying taking 'sides' when it comes to sectarianism.

[EMDEE]

During the Falklands conflict I heard someone referring to the Argentinians as "Fenian Ba$tards". Anybody who does this obviously does not know the origin or meaning of the word. (either word) The sectarian bigotry is not just restricted to the football terraces.

[gizmo]

Anti Queen songs - and pro IRA songs aren't anti protestant songs.[/quote]..
in that case is The Sash anti-cathiolic..

[ionnsaigh]

The sash anti catholic - that would be the orange order - and the scum that litter the streets during a parade.

[EMDEE]

Trying to look objectively at this problem, could any of the participants who practice this antipathy towards each other come up with an acceptable and valid explanation as to why they do it? Do any of them have well thought out theological reasons for it? Is it just a tradition? If so, it’s one we could do without.

I don’t see the respective clergy of these churches at each others’ throats. If they can co-exist in peace, why can’t all their adherents?

There is more common ground in the essential beliefs of the Protestant and Catholic branches of the Christian faith than there are differences.

[dr-sanchez]

There is more common ground in the essential beliefs of the Protestant and Catholic branches of the Christian faith than there are differences.

thats the thing though, emdee. to the majority of these bigots, its not about religion, its about tribalism, which camp you belong to. i remember in school a few years ago, a boy in my class just came out with "i hate catholics." for no apparent reason. myself being (although non-practicing, i was only baptised and received communion) catholic, i replied something along the lines of "why do you hate catholics? because the catholic head of church is based in italy?" he couldnt quite grasp the concept of the two branches being similar with only minute differences, which you correctly pointed out. just goes to show that the sense of tribalism is drummed into some people by society.

i normally enjoy saying "ignorance is bliss" but in cases like this...

[A Horse called Juan Face]

There is more common ground in the essential beliefs of the Protestant and Catholic branches of the Christian faith than there are differences.

thats the thing though, emdee. to the majority of these bigots, its not about religion, its about tribalism, which camp you belong to. i remember in school a few years ago, a boy in my class just came out with "i hate catholics." for no apparent reason. myself being (although non-practicing, i was only baptised and received communion) catholic, i replied something along the lines of "why do you hate catholics? because the catholic head of church is based in italy?" he couldnt quite grasp the concept of the two branches being similar with only minute differences, which you correctly pointed out. just goes to show that the sense of tribalism is drummed into some people by society.

i normally enjoy saying "ignorance is bliss" but in cases like this...

again i will point out that the human race is not as intelligent as it would like to appear.
! Adamski = thumbs.

[EMDEE]

again i will point out that the human race is not as intelligent as it would like to appear.
! Adamski = thumbs.

Trouble is, a lot of this nonsense is perpetrated by otherwise reasonably intelligent individuals who are carried along and encouraged by the mass hysteria of a group identity.

[Govangirl]

This is getting a bit heavy here!

Could we not debate the issue of "football or social problem" a bit more objectively?

Brand of sectarianism? It's absurd that you think that there are different "brands" of sectarianism...

Trouble is, a lot of this nonsense is perpetrated by otherwise reasonably intelligent individuals who are carried along and encouraged by the mass hysteria of a group identity.

Sorry for 3 quotes but they all make sense and seem to sum up the 'common sense' approach as I find some of the remarks on this thread really quite depressing.