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Loyalist march phone calls to councillors probe
 Highland councillors who have publicly voiced concerns over the Loyalist march which took place through the streets of Inverness have received allegedly intimidating phone calls, and the matter is being investigated by the police.
Though the elected city councillors were against the sectarian event of last weeked, the march went ahead as it did last year under the protection of EU human rights legislation.
It has been reported that John Finnie and John Holden both received phone calls from march supporters.
Ex-policman Mr. Finnie has been quoted as saying: "People have very strong views about sectarian marches."
It is generally accepted that these events have their roots in political and religious sectarianism and have nothing whatsoever to do Christianity and Christ's teaching and example of loving one's enemies.
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Christians Together, 07/04/2008 |
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| | Truthteller (Guest) | 09/04/2008, 12:38 | | "It is generally accepted that these events have their roots in political and religious sectarianism and have nothing whatsoever to do Christianity and Christ's teaching an example of loving one's enemies."
In actual fact. the Apprentice Boys march to commemorate the lifting of the Siege of Londonderry in 1688 and 1689. This was part of a struggle to end religious and political oppression throughout the British Isles. The succession of Stuart kings who had oppressed the peoples of these islands also persecuted the Covenanters in Scotland.
Far from being rooted in sectarianism, these marches celebrate the freedom of religious practice which the defeat of Stuart tyranny ushered in.
Stick to the facts, please. Not politicallly correct propaganda.
| | | Peter Reynolds | 10/04/2008, 23:02 | | Personally I find this a bit strange. One might, if one was looking at the history of Northern Ireland, be interested to know about the Siege of Londonderry. But why would the people of Inverness want to be made aware of it by a public march? It's a bit like having a mini Notting Hill Carnival in Inverness when there are about 50 people of Caribbean origin in the city (please don't take offence if there are actually 100 or 200 - in any case they are not a substantial part of the local culture).
I am an Englishman who has spent more than half my life in Ross-shire, and currently attend the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, which is the most vocally Protestant denomination in this area. But this marching is completely out of touch with local culture (Protestant or otherwise), as I see it, and I can only assume that it is organised by a mix of (a) incomers to the area and (b) obsessive local Rangers supporters. The funny thing is that (from what I've seen as a child and as an adult) up here, Celtic and Rangers are just football clubs to many people, and many people who attend non-Roman-Catholic churches support Celtic! It was only in later life that I learned what they meant to the people of Glasgow and Northern Ireland.
| | | The Editor | 11/04/2008, 09:55 | | Thanks Peter for an "external" view (and the previous poster might be also).
Would others, local or from other parts, like to comment? It's a good opportunity to gather views from across the region on this issue; and these could then be presented to our elected leaders (Councillors, MPs, MSPs, etc.)
[You can post without being a logged-on site member; and, if anonymity is required you can merely give enough of your name (even just initials) to allow others who may respond to your message to say to whom they are responding.]
| | | Truthteller (Guest) | 14/04/2008, 12:00 | | "I can only assume that it is organised by a mix of (a) incomers to the area and (b) obsessive local Rangers supporters."
This is my point, Peter. You are making asumptions and taking great leaps with them. It is interesting that you ASSUME this marching is by incomers to the area and you sound a bit condescending, yet you yourself are an incomer. Then you ASSUME that this marching is done by "obsessive local Rangers supporters." I think you are displaying your own prejudices here.
Also, if the 50 - 200 people of Caribbean origin in Inverness area wished to hold a Carnival, would their being an insubstantial part of local culture preclude them from doing so? In your opinion, that is?
Whatever happened to multicultural Scotland? It seems it won't be promoted by an Englishman...
| | | Truthteller (Guest) | 14/04/2008, 12:13 | | For the record, I am not a member of the Apprentice Boys, nor do I wish to "champion" their cause. I simply abominate assumptions based on prejudices passed off as fact.
I did take the time to look up the Aprrentice Boys website and thought this page was interesting:
http://www.apprenticeboys.co.uk/aboutus
I have no doubt that not every member of this organisation lives up to these fine ideals. However, that could be said of any member of any church I guess.
| | | Peter Reynolds | 14/04/2008, 13:47 | | Without actually trying to contact the people concerned, I can only make guesses and assumptions, though the Press and Journal report referenced did say "Most of Saturday’s marchers came from Londonderry, central Scotland and England. Mr Brownlee believed 30 to 40 of the Inverness Campsie Club’s 50 members had attended", which suggests an attempt to make something big out of somethinmg small. The fact that I stated them to be assumptions was important, as you noted. Also the fact that I'm not anonymous as you are, Truthteller, might be important too.
But you're right, people are free to march etc, just as people are free to preach the gospel in the open air. And we've had at least one gay shamelessness march up here.
| | | Truthteller (Guest) | 14/04/2008, 20:59 | | Anonymity is a matter of choice, Peter. And a respected one. It allows people to express their opinions without being labelled by prejudiced people.
I am glad you acknowledge the civil right of people to march. Unfortunately, this does mean that people we disagree with share that right. The very least courtesy we can extend them is not to make statements based on assumptions but to be factual.
If we cannot do this, we should maybe hold our peace.
| | | Peter Reynolds | 17/04/2008, 11:51 | | But the assumptions, whilst they did not have certainty, were based on two things:
1) The P & J report as to where most of the marchers had come from
2) My knowledge of Protestant churches in the Highlands over the last 30 years or so (I've been completely unaware of any involvement with Orange type movements, indeed I think the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland is opposed to them, despite strong opposition to Popery). I can't think of any church in the area that would fit into that mould - possibly individual adherents might, or even the odd communicant member, but it wouldn't be generally approved, so far as I know.
| | | Truthteller (Guest) | 18/04/2008, 10:29 | | Is general approval the litmus test? As you have said, these people have the right to march, regardless of your approval or, indeed, "general" approval.
Remember that the opinion of the majority is a dangerous thing to use in your defence. As is the media...
Remember also that the people who marched were celebrating a period in which tyranny was overthrown and civil & religious liberties were won. You may disapprove of which football team the marchers support (ASSUMING it is Rangers) but you surely approve of the freedom to worship God you enjoy? And, of course, the freedom to express your views here?
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