Me = born, raised and spent most of my working life in various parts of England.
I agree that the effects of the Troubles were very widespread in both the UK and the Republic, but the effect of living in the middle of it was (and is) very different from living at a distance to it and occasionally being at risk of a bomb blast.
I would say that Ireland is deeply rooted in religion, whether Protestant or Catholic Christianity in a way that England, certainly, definitely isn't - despite the effect of the Alpha programme in the Church of England in recent years. 86% identify with a religion, but research by the Church of England and by various social scientists over many years suggests that is 'belonging without believing', as well as the large numbers who 'believe (in something) without belonging (in any one religious group)'.
I do agree though that I can't imagine that Seamus isn't a Catholic, with a name like that - at least culturally, if not in terms of deep belief or regular practice.
It may be that a lot of fans either take the view that 'it's not in canon' (but then, neither is incest and teacher/student sex!!!), or they have had bad experiences with various colours of Christianity and don't want to see their favourite characters having anything to do with it.
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Date: 2007-01-26 07:25 pm (UTC)I agree that the effects of the Troubles were very widespread in both the UK and the Republic, but the effect of living in the middle of it was (and is) very different from living at a distance to it and occasionally being at risk of a bomb blast.
I would say that Ireland is deeply rooted in religion, whether Protestant or Catholic Christianity in a way that England, certainly, definitely isn't - despite the effect of the Alpha programme in the Church of England in recent years. 86% identify with a religion, but research by the Church of England and by various social scientists over many years suggests that is 'belonging without believing', as well as the large numbers who 'believe (in something) without belonging (in any one religious group)'.
I do agree though that I can't imagine that Seamus isn't a Catholic, with a name like that - at least culturally, if not in terms of deep belief or regular practice.
It may be that a lot of fans either take the view that 'it's not in canon' (but then, neither is incest and teacher/student sex!!!), or they have had bad experiences with various colours of Christianity and don't want to see their favourite characters having anything to do with it.