Protestant extremism England

Watch V for Vendetta.

wilhelm roentgen wrote: »

What a BS generalisation, do you go in for sweeping statements much?

I'm sorry, but I've known and know quite a few English, Scottish, etc, and while not true of many (you'll note I never actually generalized) a frightening number have serious gaps in things that many of us would have thought basic.

I've known more than one who didn't even know what type of Protestant they were (as it turns out both were CoE), which I can only put down to the fact that religion appears to be a non-issue there.

But some of the things I've heard in relation to basic history or geography over the years is gob-smacking (Barcelona is the capital of Spain, all Ireland is still part of the UK, are two off the top of my head). In this regard, I'd point the finger at the educational system that was 'reformed' (I think under Thatcher) to focus on a smaller number of subjects, meaning that people graduated well versed in those and clueless in everything else.

The Corinthian wrote: »

I'm sorry, but I've known and know quite a few English, Scottish, etc, and while not true of many (you'll note I never actually generalized) a frightening number have serious gaps in things that many of us would have thought basic.

I've known more than one who didn't even know what type of Protestant they were (as it turns out both were CoE), which I can only put down to the fact that religion appears to be a non-issue there.

But some of the things I've heard in relation to basic history or geography over the years is gob-smacking (Barcelona is the capital of Spain, all Ireland is still part of the UK, are two off the top of my head). In this regard, I'd point the finger at the educational system that was 'reformed' (I think under Thatcher) to focus on a smaller number of subjects, meaning that people graduated well versed in those and clueless in everything else.

Yeah, those damned English know nothing about Ireland, why I was in Edinburgh the other day and...

Wibbs wrote: »

I found British folks a little lacking in the areas TC mentioned, but IMHO it's got nada to do with education, or lack of it. It's to do with the media. We get pretty much all of theirs and they get pretty much nothing of ours so of course we know more about them than they know about us and for the same reason both of us know more about the US of A, than Americans know about these islands.

I don't know if I'd agree Wibbs. The UK media may explain somethings, but it wouldn't explain Barcelona as the capital of Spain, even Ireland being still part of the UK or never having heard of the kingdom of Mercia (pretty basic English history). I do get the impression that it comes down to a specialization which effectively abandons all other subjects relatively early on in their educational system.

The question of religion is instead down to religion becoming a non-issue in most Western countries, especially among protestant denominations. Even here you see it a fair bit - a friend, who's a vicar, complained to me that it's apparently no longer strictly a requirement to believe in God to become a priest in the Swiss reformed church. Huldrych Zwingli would be turning in his grave - unless doing so would be too close to dancing, which he did ban.

Fuck all religion, it has caused more human conflict in it's name than colonialism/slavery etc., ever did IMHO

endacl wrote: »

Better.

I really wouldn't compare the two actually. Both are totally different really. And both seem to be in a completely different context. Great read however.

Here in London, not a bothár. Everyone is welcoming and friendly to the Irish.
People like the OP need to fast forward a few decades, we are very similar to the British.

The Corinthian wrote: »

I don't know if I'd agree Wibbs. The UK media may explain somethings, but it wouldn't explain Barcelona as the capital of Spain, even Ireland being still part of the UK or never having heard of the kingdom of Mercia (pretty basic English history). I do get the impression that it comes down to a specialization which effectively abandons all other subjects relatively early on in their educational system.

When I was in the UK I did get some questions about "what was going on in Northern Ireland". I'd generally say something like "you tell me, it's in the UK". The country educates its top 10% well. Everybody else not so much.