Why are the irish such devout catholics?

fryup · 20-02-2010 08:27PM #1

Is it a tribalistic thing? a social bonding thing? are we just completely brain washed or what?

I mean in this day and age and after all the child abuse scandals, i can't understand how anyone could stomach going to mass, but passing by my local chapel this evening there was loads going in for evening mass.

i just don't understand it:cool:

MaybeLogic · 20-02-2010 08:29PM

Brainwashed from childhood, with the fear of God put into you.

mikedragon32 · 20-02-2010 08:30PM

It's a question of faith I guess.

Personally, I don't go to mass for the priests, I go to pray.

Why do I pray? That's a question for another forum.

brummytom · 20-02-2010 08:30PM

Why are the irish such devout catholics?

They're not

20-02-2010 08:30PM

MaybeLogic wrote: »

Brainwashed from childhood, with the fear of God put into you.

That sounds about right!

mikom · 20-02-2010 08:32PM

fryup wrote: »

Why are the irish such devout catholics?

Don't know what Ireland you're talking about.
Fup all devout catholics in Ireland anymore.

Mrmoe · 20-02-2010 08:32PM

Probably most of the one you saw were over 60. You will only find a minority of young and middle aged people going to mass voluntarily.

Prof.Badass · 20-02-2010 08:33PM

Ireland is so catholic because our english oppressors tried to force us to become protestants.

As a result of this, when Ireland became independant catholocism became an integral part of our nation's identity. What remnants you see today are a fast-dying hangover from this period.

delta_bravo · 20-02-2010 08:34PM

Not another one of these threads. Ireland is not a nation of devout Catholics. There are plenty of catholics but not everyone, its a personal choice and should be left that way in my opinion. I go to mass every week and most days during lent but don't expect everyone else to just because they are Irish. Its a personal choice.

Sisko · 20-02-2010 08:34PM

MaybeLogic wrote: »

Brainwashed from childhood, with the fear of God put into you.

/thread

(although there are not many devoted Catholics in Ireland anymore, thank ****)

minidazzler · 20-02-2010 08:36PM

there are very few devout catholics in Ireland. There are people who identify themselves as Catholic, but it's Bull!

And they do it because....we are a nation of sheep!

Xluna · 20-02-2010 08:38PM

When a foreign influence attempts to surpress your cultural self identity you tend to do the opposiate-even when it does'nt make sense.

jimmycrackcorm · 20-02-2010 08:38PM

fryup wrote: »

Is it a tribalistic thing? a social bonding thing? are we just completely brain washed or what?

It's just to piss off after hours posters.

fryup · 20-02-2010 08:40PM

vinylmesh wrote: »

Ireland is so catholic because our english oppressors tried to force us to become protestants.

As a result of this, when Ireland became independant catholocism became an integral part of our nation's identity. What remnants you see today are a fast-dying hangover from this period.

think you hit the nail on the head there

citizen_p · 20-02-2010 08:42PM

BECAUSE ITS NOT ENGLISH

but seriously....not sure many are devout...your born and go to mass on christmas/communion/confirmation/wedding

MaybeLogic · 20-02-2010 08:45PM

vinylmesh wrote: »

Ireland is so catholic because our english oppressors tried to force us to become protestants.

As a result of this, when Ireland became independant catholocism became an integral part of our nation's identity. What remnants you see today are a fast-dying hangover from this period.

There's also the social exclusion people experienced for not towing the line.
The Church ruled by fear. Fear of God, fear of hell and fear of being branded a heretic.
Fear of limbo if you didn't start to indoctrinate your child immediately after birth.
We're just lucky enough to be alive in a more enlightened period.

Run_to_da_hills · 20-02-2010 08:48PM

MaybeLogic wrote: »

Brainwashed from childhood, with the fear of God put into you.

Edited: Brainwashed from childhood, with the fear of God the Catholic Church put into you.

The Roman Catholic Church has absolutly nothing got to do with God, it is no more than an evil pagan cult dressed up with words and names that are found in the bible.

MaybeLogic · 20-02-2010 08:50PM

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

The Roman Catholic Church has absolutly nothing got to do with God, it is no more than an evil pagan cult dressed up with words and names that are found in the bible.

I think that's a bit unfair on the Pagans, tbh.

Hank_Jones · 20-02-2010 08:54PM

I'm not a devout catholic, I'm not an anything.
I try to steer clear of religion really, think it does more harm than good.

Bonito · 20-02-2010 09:08PM

I haven't been to mass since my confirmation. I haven't been in a church since my baby sisters christening - near 3 years ago.

TBH the ones that are "devout catholics" just have nothing else to do IMO.

mike65 · 20-02-2010 09:10PM

Lack of immagination.

PK2008 · 20-02-2010 09:19PM

"There is a god"

"No there isnt"

x1000

/thread

fryup · 20-02-2010 09:25PM

mike65 wrote: »

Lack of immagination.

and sophistication maybe?

Archeron · 20-02-2010 09:40PM

Ireland is so Catholic because the Virgin Mary appears at Knock every Tuesday at 2 o clock. Havent you heard about that?

bonerm · 20-02-2010 09:42PM

fryup wrote: »

Is it a tribalistic thing? a social bonding thing? are we just completely brain washed or what?

I mean in this day and age and after all the child abuse scandals, i can't understand how anyone could stomach going to mass, but passing by my local chapel this evening there was loads going in for evening mass.

i just don't understand it:cool:

Have you not heard about the eternal rewards of heaven? It's a sweet deal!

DublinWriter · 20-02-2010 09:43PM

Archeron wrote: »

Ireland is so Catholic because the Virgin Mary appears at Knock every Tuesday at 2 o clock. Havent you heard about that?

She also wobbles, just to prove that it's really her.

I'm 40 now, grew up in the 80's when the cynicism kicked in between the Pope's visit and the revelations concerning child abuse were disclosed.

At the time I never thought that the church would still be wielding such a large influence over the populace.

Yet here we are. I guess the older you get, the more conservative you become.

IrishManSaipan · 20-02-2010 09:45PM

The Irish people have finally woken up to the fact that the Catholic Church is nothing more than a business. A big one at that. Give us money and Jebus the Zombie will grant you eternal life.

It could only work for so long before they got rumbled. Unfortunately, a few still subscribe to the scam, kinda like the ould biddies that ring tarot card hotlines at 4.00 euro a minute.

Alessandra · 20-02-2010 09:45PM

I would not describe most Irish people as "devout Catholics". Whilst the majority of people in Ireland would define themselves on the census or whatever as Roman Catholics, the reality is that many have not stepped inside a Church since their Confirmation or Wedding.
Being devout implies partaking in the Church community which few (young) people do.
Since around 90% of the schools in Ireland are Catholic it's pretty hard for people to be anything different to be honest.
I would describe myself as Catholic but I am not very strict I have to say.

IrishManSaipan · 20-02-2010 09:48PM

Alessandra wrote: »

I would describe myself as Catholic but I am not very strict I have to say.

I remember Caroline Morahan(hot,hot,hawt) claim that she was a very devout Catholic but believed more in Buddhism.

Alessandra · 20-02-2010 09:52PM

IrishManSaipan wrote: »

I remember Caroline Morahan(hot,hot,hawt) claim that she was a very devout Catholic but believed more in Buddhism.

Haha good one. well I would say being of one particular faith doesn't mean you cannot appreciate another and take guidance from it but I guess you cannot really be Buddhist and Catholic

marbar · 20-02-2010 09:55PM

maybe they were all polish

Why are the irish such devout catholics?

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