My feelings about the Irish referendum are a bit like my feelings

[Burney]

THis is more about the enduring influence of the catholic church on Irish law and social attitudes Some people would blame the religion for these unreconstructed views.....

...and those people would be absolutely right.

Until very recently, Ireland was in large part a theocracy, with vast swathes of public policy left in the hands of foul, red-faced culchie nonces masquerading as men of god. Needless to say, many of those areas involved the care of young children...with predictable results.

[Sir C]

...and those people would be absolutely right.

Until very recently, Ireland was in large part a theocracy, with vast swathes of public policy left in the hands of foul, red-faced culchie nonces masquerading as men of god. Needless to say, many of those areas involved the care of young children...with predictable results.

I'm sure that many priests were and are extremely good people, trying to act in a decent way and follow their faith. It seems a shame to generalise as if they were all guilty. Certainly I have known several Irish priests who had no interest in my genitals.

[Peter]

...and those people would be absolutely right.

Until very recently, Ireland was in large part a theocracy, with vast swathes of public policy left in the hands of foul, red-faced culchie nonces masquerading as men of god. Needless to say, many of those areas involved the care of young children...with predictable results.

Yes, although historically that religion is inexorably tied to their nationalism- indeed their nationhood.
Admittedly, it has taken far too long to break that historical tie.

Still, they keep a decent drop in every pub. THere is a lot to be said for that

[Burney]

A fair amount, but perhaps not as much as you'd expect given that we're constantly told society is only a few steps away from resembling The Handmaid's Tale.

I think it may be another example of the soft bigotry of low expectations. People expect a country like Ireland to be unreconstructed in its views towards women, whereas the UK and America should know better.

Ireland only fully legalised contraception in 1985; decriminalised homosexuality in 1993 and finally allowed divorce in 1995.

Those low expectations are FULLY merited.

Ireland is a backwards dungheap.

[Ash]

Ireland only fully legalised contraception in 1985; decriminalised homosexuality in 1993 and finally allowed divorce in 1995.

Those low expectations are FULLY merited.

Ireland is a backwards dungheap.

If you were a real conservative you'd see those as three steps backward.

[Burney]

If you were a real conservative you'd see those as three steps backward.

I’ve never claimed to be a conservative - merely a Conservative.

[SWv2]

Ireland only fully legalised contraception in 1985; decriminalised homosexuality in 1993 and finally allowed divorce in 1995.

Those low expectations are FULLY merited.

Ireland is a backwards dungheap.

I really must object.

[Burney]

I really must object.

You certainly may object, sw, but the evidence supports my argument, I’m afraid. Facts don’t care about your feelings.