Kevin K wrote:I have. The roots of sectarianism in Scotland are deep and closely allied to the mass working class Irish immigration of the 19th century. Take the (now repudiated) 1923 Church of Scotland report as an example. It was entitled "The Menace of the Irish Race to our Scottish Nationality" which accused the Catholic population of subverting Presbyterian values and of causing drunkenness, crime and financial imprudence.Jonty wrote:You can see no evidence that faith schools cause division in the "recently-sectarian" west of Scotland? The inability to see evidence does not prove absence of evidence. Perhaps you should look a little harder. jonty
Even after WWII Catholic ex-servicemen looking for work would see notices saying "Catholics need not apply". In relatively recent times, employers would casually ask what football team you support or which school you went to to judge "which foot you kicked with".
No, bigoted children stem from bigoted parents, pure and simple.
If Catholic schools are the cause, why is there no recent history of sectarianism in England, where there have been Catholic schools since the late 19th century?
For more information on this subject I recommend "Scotland's Shame" edited by Tom Devine.
I agree that parental attitudes are very important in fostering bigotry. It's also a fact that there has in the recent past been widespread prejudice against Roman Catholics. Roman Catholic emancipation in the UK only occurred in about 1829, I believe, which is relatively recent. There are all sorts of reasons for this including Roman Catholicism being associated with absolutism, "Rome-Rule", and the need to stop the religion of the people having to change ever time a monarch died and replaced by another one who supported a different brand of christianity.
There is a terrible historical baggage on all of this including the Pope supporting the conquest of Ireland by the English; the Pope giving his blessing and support to the Armada; the Pope absolving anyone who murdered Elizabeth 1; and for that matter the Pope being instrumental in starting the Crusades.
Nevertheless, I still think that it is desirable for young people not to be segregated along religious lines when receiving their education. Education IMO should be provided by state schools and those who want an education provided by a religious body should pay for it.
I find your comment about no recent history of sectarianism in England interesting. In my view that's because the English are exceptionally tolerant; much more so that the Scots or the Irish, or any other nation I'm aware of.
IMHO perhaps they're too tolerant and sleep-walking into future problems.
jonty