Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Reminder: we’re not born anything

An interesting insight into one of the elements that underpins religious, political, and nationalistic intolerance was revealed when Gerry Kelly was interviewed by BBC reporter Mervyn Jess. The interview was reported in the Belfast Telegraph (23 May).

Kelly’s initial claim to fame arose when he was one of a party of IRA prisoners who staged a mass break-out from the infamous Long Kesh prison camp where he was incarcerated for his participation in armed violence aimed at bringing an end to the Northern Ireland state.

Kelly is now a Minister in the government of the state of Northern Ireland and, with his Sinn Fein comrades, now deplores the activities of those ‘dissidents’ who would use violence to overthrow the state of Northern Ireland. The latter, of course, affirm that Kelly has sold his principles - a case, they say, of cell to sell.

In the BBC interview Kelly said he was “born” a Catholic and accepts that had he been born a Protestant he would have accepted a different viewpoint. This scribe has never attended a birth but his researches reveal no evidence of babies being born with ideological labels on their backsides.

Unfortunately, babies are not given a choice; before they can understand a single word they have the religious views inherited by their parents imposed on them and thereafter are ‘protected’ from religious competitors by intensive indoctrination.

With this amendment, we would accept the Kelly thesis; yes, if his parents had been Protestants he might now be a member of Paisley’s DUP without need of serious contemplation.

Kelly claims to despise the politics of sectarianism but nationalism as an ideology - whether the Ulster or Irish variety - is as hate-promoting, murderous and divisive as is religion. Its promotion does not originate in the material interests of working class life but in the economic interests of a real, or aspiring, ruling class who fabricate the fiction that slave and master are beholden to a common national identity.

RM

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Religious people of the working class who are socialist are aware of the manipulation of religion by the ruling class, but then just because religion can be manipulated does not mean it shouldn't exist.

Just like the rejection of all philosophy is itself a philosophy, rejection of religion should also be considered a religion, and atheists should not pretend there have been no pogroms done in their name (China's cultural revolution comes to mind) and they are somehow smarter then people with religion and above it all.

Religion is belief and everyone believes in something, even those who supposibly don't have a religion. Everyone has something or another they hold dear. For some, its God, for others it could be their lover, drugs, etc. Everyone has something they hold on to live and give their lives meaning.

Humans are addictive beings and need something to depend on for their fix. While drugs are a bad thing and destroy the individual, and while love can consume, addiction to religion if controlled, can be good.

agitator said...
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agitator said...
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agitator said...

I tend to agree with you, Ferman. I see a lot of the beliefs of religion as no different to any superstition. Some superstitions are harmless. I mean, It doesn't really matter if someone believes a black cat crossing there path is bad luck. However some superstitions are not and can't be condoned or given credence.

Either way, the issue I'm sure we can unite on is secularlism. This ensures religios belief stays personal and protects those of faith and those of none.