however I don't like the way peolpe are doing the sheep thing that you siad.(am in to Atheism cuz am cool)or trying to make me belive there is no god. am also not a fun of the pope.( cuz there will never be an irish one)
personaly I'm a strong atheist,but would not think of leaving behind my catholic heritage simply because of what it means in ireland i.e. being irish as opposed a protestant planter.Plus try getting your children into a decent school when they haven't been baptised.These days its a matter of tradition not believe.Therefore i'm a catholic irish atheist,sounds funny but I'd guess most scientifically educated irish people fall into this catagorey,acording to the cencus i'm a roman catholic though
@swissnor Fuck off would ya! how the hell do you reckon that? ya just make a statement without backing it up, by Irish I mean Gaelic as opposed to English settlers, who have in modern times become a part of Irish culture, but it does not change the fact that the majority of Protestants in Ireland are the descendants of English planters. So I don't see how you can say that the "Irish Catholics" (both Norman and Gaelic) are less Irish that the descendants of English invaders and usurpers.
@ikeelyouall1641 I love the way you know little or nothing abouth Irish history and have to rely on the little skewed history you lernt in school. Irish history is far more complex and far mor interesting then the rubish you lernt in school.
@swissnor What are you on about ya fuckin foreign amadan ya! go on then point out where i'm wrong in my comment above! Spose you Know an in depth history of Ireland sme how kept secret to us normal Irish people? Please enlighten me.......... cunt
@swissnor Fuck off! Do you even know anything about Irish history "swissnor" doesn't sound very Irish to me! Most Protestants in Ireland are the descendants of English invaders that were planted here. That is just a fact. Most Irish Catholics are the descendants of Gaels or Normans that shared a Gaelic culture. so how you arrive at your standpoint I don't know probably because you too are a foreigner and don't understand what yo're commenting on. Slán
Huh, the vast majority of people in university were atheist? Where did you go to university? Beijing? I am not a great believer but I do know that the vast majority of people in Irish universities are Catholic. It is fair to say that the vast majority do not go to mass on a regular basis but this does not mean they are atheist. I think that remark qualifies as hyperbole.
The vast majority of atheists in Ireland were brought up roman catholic and have never bothered changing offical papers. If you dont believe the religion eve represents anything why officaly excomunicate yourself.
The census figure is just under 5%. The Eurobarometer Poll in 2005 gave a figure of 73% for Irish citizens responding that "they believe there is a God". 22% said that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force".
James Joyce, in "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," described in a chillingly real way a school retreat and the sermon on hell, which aroused in me a strong rejection. And yet, a few months after reading it, I became a Catholic (I was a sort of California neo-Hindu). I may have been illogical; I don't think I was hypocritical, though. But thanks for the insight into atheism in Ireland.
I see no problem in being essentially atheist and say getting married in a church. I was brought up Catholic though not in a strict sense, and came to realise the weakness in the theistic position from early on, however, for the sake of the day that is in it i would easily get married in a church. Just because i don't believe in God does not mean i can't enjoy the ritual undertaken. It is a cultural festival which i enjoy such as Christmas, it is not hypocrisy at all.
as an atheist myself, i find i have little time for those of us who choose to kill each other in the name of "faith". look at so many countries across the world, particularly in the middle east, where governments construct their laws according to their "faith", with only a secondary nod to economics. take note of the disastrous consequences of such regimes. ireland is a classic example of the church/state divide. if only someone would tell them that there is no god after all. if only...
I recall being on one of these 'retreats' and the three (of roughly ninety students) of us who declared ourselves atheist (upon being asked to confirm our belief) were promptly ignored and made to engage in the same insipid and mind-numbing exercises and "discussions" as the rest of the group, which centered on reaffirming and understanding what god meant to us.
Just an example of how those running it were merely going through the motions without stopping to consider the facts & circumstances.
Shitmanlegs, he mentioned how it was cool to be an atheist in college, which considering how many kids with newfound freedom in third level education suddenly ascribe to whichever new age/eastern religion in the flavour of the month, I agree with him.
BTW I am an Irish atheist and my girlfriend who is an atheist but comes from a very religious family can't understand why I would refuse to have a child baptised in a catholic church. She thinks I should sacrifice my "belief" for a day out for the grandmother, keep her happy etc. but I would never allow some priest who thinks he is a link between our 'creator' and us, the most pompous of claims, to hold my child, pour water over the child and claim my child in the name of some mythical beast!
The 90%+ stat is incorrect but not far off. I do think, though, that about 90% of those who call themselves catholic are really the type you describe, they go to mass because basically they fear being judged by their catholic neighbours, or they see it as a insurance policy for the afterlife. I know of very few who 'dedicate' themselves to god. You made many good points well done!
Non-believers in general are the second largest group in Ireland after Roman Catholics.
I think the current problem isn't the power of the catholic church but rather the government themselves. We need secular schools and a secular constitution or we risk encouraging divisiveness, particularly amoung members of minority religions... and somebody needs to replace Mary Hanifan.
I'm not saying that but if you think about it does the church really oppress them like you make out, like i can go out and use birth contol, have sex before marriage, basically do everything the church teaches me not to do and will it suppress me? Of course not. Also the church really only has a say on things like abortion and some moral teachings, nothing more, lets not forget that the catholic church has special rights in our republic by our founders
I agree with you- the church is not much of an oppressive entity at the moment. But, the church should have NO say, EVER, in the political dealings of the country. It can instruct it's flock from the altar to be against abortion etc., but should not have special access to Ministers etc. Personally, I would scrap our constitution and start again. It's an incredibly flawed document written for a different era, but that's a different issue.
They do have special rights, but they abused them systematically. they have zero trust with anyone under 50 now. There is going to be a real atheist push in this country within the next generation. it will just take some minority groups to exploit the weaknesses in our fragile constitution.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
no you mean agnostic, most people believe in the concept of a god but just don't care so people will abandon the chruch to pursue their lustful desires. As we become more godless, sexual objectification will rise, abortion will be legalised and men and women will start to act like animals caring for noone but themselves and their pleasures
My real point is that people are no longer afraid to ask serious questions of their parents faith. Questions with no satisfactory answers. Whether it's agnocticism or not would be semantic. Tomayto, tomahto at this feotal stage?
Paddy234, do you REALLY believe that without religion people will give into their lustful desires and care for no-one? I call your attention to those countries which have a high porportion of atheists, Japan and Sweden. Not exactly the high-crime, indivualistic nations that you seem to envisage.
no of course not but i still think it would be better since there would be more discipline and consideration for the family and also i'm talking about morality, atheists go on morality what suits them but christians don't for the benefit of the whole society
If I have any academic expertise at all, then it is in moral philosophy. No moral theory worth its salt derives its rules from a deity. The golden rule was derived many years before organized religion. Atheists can follow this just as easy as the theist. And look at your christian friends, how do they act differently from atheists? We all live in a SECULAR society.
I don't think chruch and state should serperate in this country when catholics are the majority and atheists the very small minority, catholicism is like 94% in this country, why should atheists think that they should decide
I suppose one could take that position and not believe in democracy. A democracy often reflects the views of the majority,but protects all,including the minority. The problem with not having church-state seperation is that one is oppressing all those outside of the state sponsored church. So protestants, muslims and atheists all suffer.Surely after the issues of northern ireland we see that religion should have nothing to do with government?
Also if you check the Central statistics office, Catholicism is about 87% of population as of 2006. So my assertion in my video of +90% was false. Do those 13% of atheists, agnostics and other religions not need protection?
Thank God the Irish are coming out of their Roman universal induced fog.
runevidgeek3 1 year ago
have u defected from the irish cath chruch?
timesbetter 2 years ago
I like this it's really good.
but I do belive there is a god.
however I don't like the way peolpe are doing the sheep thing that you siad.(am in to Atheism cuz am cool)or trying to make me belive there is no god. am also not a fun of the pope.( cuz there will never be an irish one)
philipOhayda 2 years ago
It must have been tough being an atheist in Ireland.
Swimming against the tide is hard.
I admire your strength of will.
PFWoody488 2 years ago
Well AtheistIreland has set up see AtheistIE
aZeroGodist 3 years ago
personaly I'm a strong atheist,but would not think of leaving behind my catholic heritage simply because of what it means in ireland i.e. being irish as opposed a protestant planter.Plus try getting your children into a decent school when they haven't been baptised.These days its a matter of tradition not believe.Therefore i'm a catholic irish atheist,sounds funny but I'd guess most scientifically educated irish people fall into this catagorey,acording to the cencus i'm a roman catholic though
ikeelyouall1641 3 years ago
I think getting your kids in school is a problem for everyone, legacy of the failed government of the last 10 years.
Casey, and other sexually active clergy, forced labour camps for women in the 60's - the goldendays of the church in Ireland is over
dugges 3 years ago
Im in the same Boat.
Atheist... but Irish Catholic Atheist.
30packetsofketchup 2 years ago
@ikeelyouall1641 Protestants are as Irish as any one else, in fact Protestants are more Irish than the so called"Irish Catholics".
swissnor 9 months ago
@swissnor Fuck off would ya! how the hell do you reckon that? ya just make a statement without backing it up, by Irish I mean Gaelic as opposed to English settlers, who have in modern times become a part of Irish culture, but it does not change the fact that the majority of Protestants in Ireland are the descendants of English planters. So I don't see how you can say that the "Irish Catholics" (both Norman and Gaelic) are less Irish that the descendants of English invaders and usurpers.
ikeelyouall1641 9 months ago
@ikeelyouall1641 I love the way you know little or nothing abouth Irish history and have to rely on the little skewed history you lernt in school. Irish history is far more complex and far mor interesting then the rubish you lernt in school.
swissnor 9 months ago
@swissnor What are you on about ya fuckin foreign amadan ya! go on then point out where i'm wrong in my comment above! Spose you Know an in depth history of Ireland sme how kept secret to us normal Irish people? Please enlighten me.......... cunt
ikeelyouall1641 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@ikeelyouall1641 No one is interested in what you have to say moron.
swissnor 8 months ago
@swissnor Fuck off! Do you even know anything about Irish history "swissnor" doesn't sound very Irish to me! Most Protestants in Ireland are the descendants of English invaders that were planted here. That is just a fact. Most Irish Catholics are the descendants of Gaels or Normans that shared a Gaelic culture. so how you arrive at your standpoint I don't know probably because you too are a foreigner and don't understand what yo're commenting on. Slán
ikeelyouall1641 9 months ago
@ikeelyouall1641 I was making a cultural observation not a historical observation with regard to the Rep. of Ireland.
swissnor 9 months ago
what did you study in university?
FactVsReligion 3 years ago
Huh, the vast majority of people in university were atheist? Where did you go to university? Beijing? I am not a great believer but I do know that the vast majority of people in Irish universities are Catholic. It is fair to say that the vast majority do not go to mass on a regular basis but this does not mean they are atheist. I think that remark qualifies as hyperbole.
liamfoley 3 years ago
The vast majority of atheists in Ireland were brought up roman catholic and have never bothered changing offical papers. If you dont believe the religion eve represents anything why officaly excomunicate yourself.
10secstomeltdown 3 years ago
WHAT does the census say? That is the determiner of how many atheists live in Ireland, the actual number is 1-2% at the very most,
liamfoley 3 years ago
The census figure is just under 5%. The Eurobarometer Poll in 2005 gave a figure of 73% for Irish citizens responding that "they believe there is a God". 22% said that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force".
Boreas74 3 years ago
Why do that?
I always thought in doing so your'e giving religion a form of respect that it doesnt deserve.Something all powerful that needs to be fought aganst.
Oh and i enjoyed your video too!!
niallllll 3 years ago
James Joyce, in "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man," described in a chillingly real way a school retreat and the sermon on hell, which aroused in me a strong rejection. And yet, a few months after reading it, I became a Catholic (I was a sort of California neo-Hindu). I may have been illogical; I don't think I was hypocritical, though. But thanks for the insight into atheism in Ireland.
thomasmatus 3 years ago
I see no problem in being essentially atheist and say getting married in a church. I was brought up Catholic though not in a strict sense, and came to realise the weakness in the theistic position from early on, however, for the sake of the day that is in it i would easily get married in a church. Just because i don't believe in God does not mean i can't enjoy the ritual undertaken. It is a cultural festival which i enjoy such as Christmas, it is not hypocrisy at all.
phydan 3 years ago
as an atheist myself, i find i have little time for those of us who choose to kill each other in the name of "faith". look at so many countries across the world, particularly in the middle east, where governments construct their laws according to their "faith", with only a secondary nod to economics. take note of the disastrous consequences of such regimes. ireland is a classic example of the church/state divide. if only someone would tell them that there is no god after all. if only...
Winedarkseas 3 years ago
I recall being on one of these 'retreats' and the three (of roughly ninety students) of us who declared ourselves atheist (upon being asked to confirm our belief) were promptly ignored and made to engage in the same insipid and mind-numbing exercises and "discussions" as the rest of the group, which centered on reaffirming and understanding what god meant to us.
Just an example of how those running it were merely going through the motions without stopping to consider the facts & circumstances.
davenathan2002 3 years ago
Shitmanlegs, he mentioned how it was cool to be an atheist in college, which considering how many kids with newfound freedom in third level education suddenly ascribe to whichever new age/eastern religion in the flavour of the month, I agree with him.
davenathan2002 3 years ago
BTW I am an Irish atheist and my girlfriend who is an atheist but comes from a very religious family can't understand why I would refuse to have a child baptised in a catholic church. She thinks I should sacrifice my "belief" for a day out for the grandmother, keep her happy etc. but I would never allow some priest who thinks he is a link between our 'creator' and us, the most pompous of claims, to hold my child, pour water over the child and claim my child in the name of some mythical beast!
RabiesJr 3 years ago 2
The 90%+ stat is incorrect but not far off. I do think, though, that about 90% of those who call themselves catholic are really the type you describe, they go to mass because basically they fear being judged by their catholic neighbours, or they see it as a insurance policy for the afterlife. I know of very few who 'dedicate' themselves to god. You made many good points well done!
RabiesJr 3 years ago
Non-believers in general are the second largest group in Ireland after Roman Catholics.
I think the current problem isn't the power of the catholic church but rather the government themselves. We need secular schools and a secular constitution or we risk encouraging divisiveness, particularly amoung members of minority religions... and somebody needs to replace Mary Hanifan.
2LegHumanist 4 years ago
I'm not saying that but if you think about it does the church really oppress them like you make out, like i can go out and use birth contol, have sex before marriage, basically do everything the church teaches me not to do and will it suppress me? Of course not. Also the church really only has a say on things like abortion and some moral teachings, nothing more, lets not forget that the catholic church has special rights in our republic by our founders
Paddy234 4 years ago
I agree with you- the church is not much of an oppressive entity at the moment. But, the church should have NO say, EVER, in the political dealings of the country. It can instruct it's flock from the altar to be against abortion etc., but should not have special access to Ministers etc. Personally, I would scrap our constitution and start again. It's an incredibly flawed document written for a different era, but that's a different issue.
iwentdowntotheriver 4 years ago
They do have special rights, but they abused them systematically. they have zero trust with anyone under 50 now. There is going to be a real atheist push in this country within the next generation. it will just take some minority groups to exploit the weaknesses in our fragile constitution.
aiyic 4 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
no you mean agnostic, most people believe in the concept of a god but just don't care so people will abandon the chruch to pursue their lustful desires. As we become more godless, sexual objectification will rise, abortion will be legalised and men and women will start to act like animals caring for noone but themselves and their pleasures
Paddy234 4 years ago
My real point is that people are no longer afraid to ask serious questions of their parents faith. Questions with no satisfactory answers. Whether it's agnocticism or not would be semantic. Tomayto, tomahto at this feotal stage?
aiyic 4 years ago
Paddy234, do you REALLY believe that without religion people will give into their lustful desires and care for no-one? I call your attention to those countries which have a high porportion of atheists, Japan and Sweden. Not exactly the high-crime, indivualistic nations that you seem to envisage.
iwentdowntotheriver 4 years ago
no of course not but i still think it would be better since there would be more discipline and consideration for the family and also i'm talking about morality, atheists go on morality what suits them but christians don't for the benefit of the whole society
Paddy234 4 years ago
If I have any academic expertise at all, then it is in moral philosophy. No moral theory worth its salt derives its rules from a deity. The golden rule was derived many years before organized religion. Atheists can follow this just as easy as the theist. And look at your christian friends, how do they act differently from atheists? We all live in a SECULAR society.
iwentdowntotheriver 4 years ago
I don't think chruch and state should serperate in this country when catholics are the majority and atheists the very small minority, catholicism is like 94% in this country, why should atheists think that they should decide
Paddy234 4 years ago
I suppose one could take that position and not believe in democracy. A democracy often reflects the views of the majority,but protects all,including the minority. The problem with not having church-state seperation is that one is oppressing all those outside of the state sponsored church. So protestants, muslims and atheists all suffer.Surely after the issues of northern ireland we see that religion should have nothing to do with government?
iwentdowntotheriver 4 years ago
Also if you check the Central statistics office, Catholicism is about 87% of population as of 2006. So my assertion in my video of +90% was false. Do those 13% of atheists, agnostics and other religions not need protection?
iwentdowntotheriver 4 years ago
so the minorities don't matter?
bdmjintx 4 years ago
Atheism was certainly <b>not</b> cool when I became an atheist. Thanks for the Irish angle.
CousinoMacul 4 years ago
It was 'cool' in university, and amongst that age-group, 18-25. Not really cool to people older then that. Sorry, I should have made that clearer.
iwentdowntotheriver 4 years ago