Credit: Mufid Majnun/Unsplash

Islam’s British ascendancy proceeds apace

The Telegraph ran an article this week notifying its readers that Ramadan lights are to be on display in London’s West End this Easter weekend, the second year that the Islamic holy month has been acknowledged in lights over some of the British capital’s busiest streets.

This came hot on the heels of viral images on social media, which showed Islamic messages – hadith – on the departure board of one of Britain’s busiest train stations, London King’s Cross. Thousands of travellers were greeted throughout March by Islamic teachings as they undertook their daily commutes, and those who were taking part in Ramadan were offered the additionally supportive: “If observing Ramadan and need support opening your fast please speak to Staff.”

Unfortunately for hadith appreciators, rail operator Network Rail was forced to end the Ramadan campaign after receiving heavy criticism from a variety of places. Humanists UK reportedly took issue with public venues “urging ‘sinners’ to repent” (a phrase used in one of the messages). Britain being the welcoming and inclusive place that it is, though, the vast majority of commentary took no issue with the prominent place afforded to Ramadan – it simply expressed confusion that other significant faith events weren’t being likewise commemorated.

The Islamic calendar is aligned with the moon, and so Ramadan occurs at a different time every year. Despite this, Ramadan, Easter and Lent have overlapped the past two years as well, in 2023 and 2022. The fact that the most important times of year for both Islam and Christianity are coinciding in recent years has served to illustrate Islam’s growing prominence in the UK well, as well as Christianity’s continued diminishment.

Islam’s place in British society is waxing, as has caught the attention of many in recent weeks, and Christianity’s is clearly waning. While Ramadan is firmly in the public eye, thanks in no small part to the self-confidence with which Islam’s adherents assert themselves, the last traces of Easter are being mopped up by a tired, old culture too weary to stand for, seemingly, anything.

For some time now, Easter eggs have been the sad, sole trace of Christianity in a near-completely secularised public square, and then only because of their name. However, even that is on the way out, with ‘gesture eggs’ becoming an increasingly common title in recent years.

To counterbalance what may sound to some like a load of alarmism, no doubt Christianity’s effects upon British culture continue to significantly outweigh those of Islam’s. There, as elsewhere, people who have long since stopped practicing their faith may well still identify as such, and even if they don’t, many of their humanistic views and sentiments are simply Christianity without God. It takes a long time for a culture to swap generators.

But it doesn’t take forever. The most recent census data for England and Wales (2021) revealed that for the first time in a census of those countries, less than half of the population described themselves as Christian – 46.2%, or 27.5 million people. This was a 13.1% decrease from 59.3%, or 33.3 million people, in 2011.

Meanwhile, there was a significant increase in the number of people identifying themselves as Muslim – 3.9 million, or 6.5% of the population in 2021. This was up from 2.7 million people, or 4.9% of the population in 2011. Clearly, while Islam is far away from being the numerically dominant religion in the UK, it doesn’t need to be in order to assert itself, as recent public displays have shown.

This is because a cultural space is opening up for Islam to expand into in the UK. Accompanying these census results was the finding that “no religion” was the second most common response in 2021, increasing by 12% to 37.2%, or 22.2 million people, from 25.2%, or 14.1 million people, in 2011.

What’s interesting, and relevant, about this is that “no religion” does not necessarily mean that a person doesn’t think that there’s a god or higher power. It simply means that a person is religiously unaffiliated. Indeed, polls in the US have revealed that the majority of people who describe themselves there as “no religion” believe in a god or a higher power.

While this is entering the territory of pure speculation on my part, it doesn’t seem unreasonable to me to think that people who believe in a god or higher power but who haven’t found a religious community to appeal to them yet might be open to persuasion in the future. This is especially the case in the face of a widely commented upon meaning and purpose crisis in the western world.

Given Islam’s newfound pride of place in British society, even though it boasts only 6.5% of the population at present, it’s not ridiculous to me to imagine that its presence and influence will increase exponentially if its numbers continue to grow. With Ramadan lights above London’s bustling streets and hadith flashing before the eyes of hurrying commuters, people are simply being given more chance to consider Islam than ever before.

As one of Britain’s most famous Christian landmarks, Canterbury Cathedral, devolves into hosting silent raves, and as popularity stunts crop up apace in recent years like a Helter Skelter in Norwich’s CoE cathedral and a mini-golf course in Rochester’s, it will be little surprise if British soul-searchers turn to what seems like the most serious alternative.

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Laura Crowley
29 days ago

We should absolutely not accept any illegal immigration or faux refugees from Muslim countries . They have no business coming to Ireland as there is a huge Islamic world out there filled with many safe & prosperous countries that they can go to for safety & better opportunities. Their culture & values are simply not compatible with ours . France is on red alert & has had to deploy police as over 130 schools have received threats from Islamists angry at France’s policy of civic clothing in schools.
The taliban & isis have called for lone wolf attacks in Europe against Christians & Jews during Ramadan. There is no such thing as Islamaphobia , it’s not a phobia , the danger & threat is very real & not imagined. Look at the murders by Islamists in Russia last week alone just the latest in countless killings & attacks in recent years with our own school children attacked in Dublin. Here in Ireland as part of the new hot schools program halal meat is being used across the board by caterers . Surely animal rights & existing laws around animal rights take precedence. We must not bow to this , our laws , values & culture come first always .
I also read in the Irish times today about a reduction in the number of Ukrainian refugees & how the department of integration hopes to pivot beds previously used for Ukrainians for IP applicants .
So communities that were told they would be accommodating Ukrainian Refugees will now be stuck with Islamist invaders via the back door .

Killdozer
29 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

Well said Laura, thank you for the information on halal meat in schools. I was unaware of this. Atrocious treatment of animals

Laura Crowley
29 days ago
Reply to  Killdozer

Yes , the following line was on the cover letter from the catering company providing hot meals to my children’s primary school “Please note that all our meat is fully halal and allergens available on our website”. When my children were in crèche halal was available on request only so it was not commonplace in all the meals.
The catering company that I’ve mentioned are providing meals to all schools taking part in the new hot meals for primary schools programme . They are being paid by the department of education who would have awarded the contract to them so it looks like the fully halal meat option was required by the department of education to award the contract or if not , they certainly signed off on it . Sickening isn’t it!

Killdozer
29 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

and so it begins..,,every prison in Britain only serves halal meat….

Patrick duffy
29 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

No..it isn’t!! It’s just meat. The whole industry is cruel! Go veggie or vegan if you don’t want to consume meat obtained through cruel means!

Killdozer
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Fair point

Laura Crowley
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Patrick for your information , I have been veggie for years . However , I wouldn’t dream of raising any child vegetarian (and certainly not vegan & deprive them of essential growth & development nutrients).

In an ideal world I would love to obtain all the various resources that I consume in a non cruel fashion . However unfortunately there is cruelty in all aspects of the supply chain , have you given any thought to how the batteries for the phone or tablet that your using to post were obtained & the cruelty & violence suffered by the children in the cobalt mines to obtain them (likewise for electric cars).

However my point is around the government, schools & business’s bowing down to a foreign religion over our local laws & policies.

Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

Your main point earlier in the conversation was that halal was barbaric. My point is that all meat prep is cruel and barbaric. But halal is the lesser so of the slaughtering methods. Halal beef tastes no different to regular beef. Only if you have a religious chip on your shoulder. See peter forde’s comment below.

Laura Crowley
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

The department of education didn’t approve a provider with all halal meat because it was less barbaric , they approved it to pander to followers of a religion that demand that the rest of us accommodate them. That is the crux of my main point .

ReaIIrish
25 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

And here we have a sneaking regarder.

Says halal slaughter is more a humane method – slitting the throat of an animal. The do love to slit throats don’t they?

David Sheridan
29 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

Agree 100% Laura.

Patrick duffy
29 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

It’s actually more humane than how big slaughter houses here operate. Look it up or ask any beef farmer!

Laura Crowley
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

I have looked it up (I did research into it years ago thank you very much as I like to try & be informed about things ). Most organisations & individual contributors say it is more barbaric , a few do argue that its more humane. However my issue isn’t about whether it’s more humane or not , my issue is that as a country we have rules , laws & policies in place for animal slaughter in a commercial sense & those should be followed at all times. I am “sickened” at the thoughts of the government, local business’s or schools bowing to a religion in this day & age (especially one that is not native to our shores & has no place here ).

Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

Then your research was incorrect. Go back to the internet and try again

Peter Forde
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Yes the halal method is more humane to animals. Each cow for slaughter is separated from the herd were in advance and does not know what their fate is until the very last second. Unlike conventional slaughtering where the animals go to their death one after the other and are already in terror for their lives well before they are finally killed.
The halal method should be the standard method , not the exception and just because it is an Islamic practice is no reason to be against it

ReaIIrish
25 days ago
Reply to  Peter Forde

There is a woman in USA. Mary Temple Grandin, that has pioneered a method where cattle are shuttled in a way that they avoid being aware of their fate, as has been the method to now in the big factories.

She is Autistic and the sensitivity and awareness she had for how cattle were feeling, the distress they felt as they knew they were being led to slaughter, allowed her to develop a method that she managed to persuade slaughter house is America to adopt. I do hope it becomes to the standard everywhere in America and lessons from it are adopted in Ireland and elsewhere.

ReaIIrish
25 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

France being on red alert with 10,000+ soldiers (not just police) deployed outside schools, public places and places of worship of other faiths due to Islamic Terrorist Attacks previously and the threat of more, for more than 10 years now.

Completely ignored by Patrcik duffy and the Media in Ireland

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  ReaIIrish

🤣🤣

ReaIIrish
25 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

As I’ve previously pointed out. A sneaking regarder

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  ReaIIrish

🤣

Stephen
29 days ago

The destruction of a real liberal society by fake liberals.

James Mcguinness
29 days ago

Islam is nothing more than an evil misogynistic cult. At least the brits are enjoying their new found globalist future and genocide. Not a peep out of them.

Molly
29 days ago

On and on it goes the march of Islam, all the media , and even the MPs, walking on egg shells, afraid to make any criticism- maybe in case they get a bullet or knife in the back. The tolerance given to these medieval zealots, with their backward views, is unbelievable. They bring their tribal mentality to the West and it goes unchallenged. Watch out Ireland,

Patrick duffy
29 days ago
Reply to  Molly

Nonsensical paranoid drivel molly!

Laura Crowley
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Unfortunately it’s not paranoia Patrick

British MP David Amess was murdered by islamists.

https://www.politico.eu/article/islamic-state-terrorist-convicted-of-british-mps-murder/

It’s not paranoia or islamaphobia unfortunately, the threat is very real . There have been thousands of attacks & murders throughout Europe in the name of Islam over the last few years from 7/7 to the Bataclan, Charlie Hebo, the Manchester bombings , French priests beheaded in their church’s, teachers killed , many lone wolf attacks in Germany & indeed Dublin last year , Russia last week & many many more . Let’s also not forget the many rapes & sexual assaults.

Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

So all muslims want to behave in this way?? You are talking about the tiniest % of muslims in europe that have been radicalised. I have news for you though..there are psychopaths in every population..white, black, brown, yellow, red, muslim, christian, hindu. Your rationale here is that we should treat all muslims with suspicion and contempt because of the actions of a couple of poor brainwashed nut jobs!.

Laura Crowley
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

I didn’t see any mass moderate Muslims protesters out against their fellow radical Muslims who carried out these atrocities , murders & rapes. No lives should be risked when they can claim “refugee” or seek better economic opportunities in the thriving economies of the middle east .
Our empathy is with the victims of Islamic attacks not the so called nutjobs.
We have a duty to protect our borders & our people .
By the way , I treat nobody with contempt (that doesn’t warrant it ). Personally I have no issues with legal immigration of some Muslim people who are vetted like all people that come here legally.
Those that come here illegally under false pretences as faux refugees & play victim are a different matter altogether . That goes for all people.

Last edited 28 days ago by Laura Crowley
Patrick duffy
27 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

Childish and tired comment! I don’t remember regular irish people out in the streets protesting when the IRA indiscriminately bombed pubs and towns around england..but yet we were all disgusted and ashamed by it!

Laura Crowley
27 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

I was waiting for the IRA attacks in England comparison . Yawn , So predictable …. England is our closest neighbour & through mutual history we’ve had freedom of movement between the 2 countries for generations so it would be much harder for England to keep us out so you can’t compare the two. . If however the IRA chose to attack & murder innocent civilians in distant far off country like Turkey or beyond in the Middle East (I.e. countries that they have no business or justification to attack ) , I would absolutely have no problems with the countries that they attacked being on heightened alert to protect their citizens & if that meant a major clampdown & strict screening of Irish people being allowed into those countries, I would totally understand & accept this .

Patrick duffy
27 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

If you were waiting for it, it’s obviously been said to you before..because it’s obvious.
Geography doesnt matter in terms of your statement about why moderate muslims do not protest about radical muslims on the streets. It’s this simple, the IRA commited atrocities in england as did the british in ireland. No protests that i ever remember but all of us would raising our eyes when we watched the news reports on TV. We were too busy getting on with our lives. Same as MOST muslims here laura.

Laura Crowley
27 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

No it’s never been said to me before , I’m a critical thinker so anticipated you making a comparison to the Irish situation to try to shut down debate & snap it’s exactly what you tried to do.

Andrew Devine
27 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

The largest public demonstration ever held in Ireland was after the Provisional IRA’s terrorist atrocity in Warrington in the 90s.

Patrick duffy
26 days ago
Reply to  Andrew Devine

Probably the only significant one

Teresa
25 days ago
Reply to  Andrew Devine

I think the biggest protests were after Bloody Sunday and the death of Bobby Sands.

Shows how brainwashed the Irish were when they protested Warrington but not the deaths of Irish children in NI by her majesties troops and Protestant proxies.

Ar26
26 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

The IRA didn’t target civilians in England anywhere near as often as the Muslim fanatics target civilians across Europe.

Even a lot of times they did kill civilians it was because the bombs exploded prematurely or they buggered up the phone warning. (Don’t take my word for it go and look at the details yourself and you’ll see I’m correct)

Muslim fanatics have already killed thousands of civilians in Europe and as European governments allow mass migration of Muslims into Europe that figure can only but increase.

Last edited 26 days ago by Ar26
Patrick duffy
26 days ago
Reply to  Ar26

Oh yeah? What about Jean mcConville?

Ar26
26 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Read the statement I typed again and get back to me 😒

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  Ar26

You said they didnt target civilians. So, what about jean mcConville

Ar26
26 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

It’s not a tiny percentage of Muslims that have been ‘radicalised’. I used to believe that but after researching it more it seems it’s a substantial amount of Muslims agree with violent actions by Muslim fanatics even if they do not personally take part.

The Islamic fundamentalists take a literal interpretation of the Koran. Go and get the book yourself and see for yourself It’s filled with calls to ‘kill the infidels’ (non muslims)

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  Ar26

Did you go around and ask them all? Do you even know any muslims?

ReaIIrish
25 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

They don’t all need to, just enough of them to enforce what they want.

You can go out today in England in a city centre with a sign ridiculing psychopaths and you’ll return home in one piece. Do the same with a cartoon figure ridiculing Islam, and without police protection, you’ll be dead before the end of the day.

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  ReaIIrish

🤣your posts are hilarious mate!

ReaIIrish
25 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

I’m not your mate.

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  ReaIIrish

Ah you really are!😄 you are too funny not to befriend!

Patrick duffy
29 days ago

Yes..like the catholic church here

James McGuinness
29 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Correct.

Patrick duffy
29 days ago

Your the type of person that destroys any integrity gript news articles may have

James McGuinness
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Says a perfect example of why the country is the way it is. An apologist too afraid to look at any form of truth in case he offends. All religions are control mechanisms created by man. The only true church is Yahwehs church through Yeshua. You would be in great company over in the journal. I will never silence on the truth because being silent is one of the reasons why we have the crap we have today. You crack on being a coward if you want.

Patrick duffy
28 days ago

No james, i complain to my local TD’s and councillors about issues that i feel are detrimental to the country and i’m not afraid to be blunt. I do like reading reasonable forum comments from reasonable people. You are not one of them. Do you even know any muslims? I mean you must have some personal experience if you say islam is a mysoginistic evil cult. It’s no different than any other religion on earth right now. They are all full of it but each to their own. Live and let live.

Ar26
26 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

He said Islam is a ‘misogynistic evil cult’. Ok, he’s engaging in hyperbole but I’ve heard many people say much worse things about Catholicism and Christianity more generally.

I’m agnostic and never go to Church but I’ve noted this unhealthy ( & quite strange) phenomena develop across Western society whereby it is fair game to say anything critical or even downright nasty about Christianity but meanwhile Islam is out of bounds for criticism, amongst sections of society.

ReaIIrish
25 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

That you believe that Islam is no different to other religions shows how ignorant you are. Go to Jordan, Egypt and Syria and ask Christians what would happen to them if they didn’t have the protection of the anti-Islamists in power in those countries.

They understand very clearly what would happen to them should the balance of power shift, as happened when Christian Copts in Egypt were slaughtered when the Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood gained power for a short time before the anti-Islamist military forcing them out.

Assad in Syria understands this too, as the Alawites are considered Apostates and would suffer the same or even worse fate than Christians. He, no doubt, learned this from his father, a very wise man that had the foresight to structure the pillars of state power, the Military, the Intelligence services, and Government departments so as to prevent the power balance shifting to the point where massacres of Apostates and Christians would occur. Sadly and shamefully, the Americans, British and allies attempted to facilitate this happening recently in Syria to further their own interests.

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  ReaIIrish

‘Realirish’🤣 it’s too much😄

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  ReaIIrish

Ah here!!🤣🤣

Laura Crowley
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Patrick as an avid media follower myself from mainstream to non mainstream , I think you’ll find that Gript has far more integrity that the MSM.

Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

I agree laura but some of the stuff people post up under the articles is real lowest common demoninator stuff. Any reasonable person sifting through the comments on most gript articles would easily be led to believe that the news outlet is actually ‘far right’ and i hate that description because it’s misused and misplaced.

Laura Crowley
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

That’s the beauty of free speech, it’s not for you or me to decide what’s reasonable. Long live free speech , lols 😆

Patrick duffy
27 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

Never mentioned anything about free speach laura i just pointed out that most of the comments on here ruin the integrity of gript articles

Laura Crowley
27 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Your opinion only . In my opinion your just showing yourself up by trying to belittle, mock & dismiss opinions of posters that are different to your own .
That type of Immature , juvenile commenting style is Journal territory ( when the comms section is open ).

I also don’t think most of the comms ruin the integrity of the articles at all . There are definable a few wacky ones every now & then but hey who are we to get up on a high horse & judge others.

Patrick duffy
27 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

Lol! My opinion counts as much as your’s laura. What i think you mean is..i ‘belittle’ people like you for challenging your uneducated blanket statements about muslims and halal. That’s not belittling you..it’s calling you out on silly misinformed comments.

Btw the journal is rubbish i simply do not go on it. I bet you do though.. just to see if the comments are closed on migrant articles so you can come back here and spew your uneducated rage filled nonsense in the comments section. Haha😄

Laura Crowley
27 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Ooh your really showing your true colours now & proving my point . It’s delicious 😆. “Uneducated”, “misinformed”, “silly”, “nonsense”. Any other insults you want to add to that to further prove my point?

I do read the journal occasion & many other media outlets. I like to keep an open mind & stay informed on the direction that the narrative is going. There’s no rage on my side , I’d say your projecting all your rage at not being able to control the narrative.

BTW , what exactly do you stand for ? What are your views on illegal immigration? Should we have a cap on numbers should we let whoever wants to come here in ?
What are your solutions to solving the wave of Islamic terrorism across Europe ?

Patrick duffy
27 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

‘Projection’ there’s a word all the cool kids are saying today! Your first paragraph reads like something an angry first year student would write in the jacks of the TCD arts block😄

Since you are so touchy about the immigration thing (and also that you have clearly ignored other comments on the matter i’ve left on here to get to the point where you can ‘cleverly’ devise an insult or barb to throw back at me because i dont see things 100% your way) i’ll answer that.

Firstly, uncontrolled inward migration is a terrible problem and the government must respect the public’s concerns on the matter. I think it’s a bad idea for different reasons than you (your clear suspicion of muslims).

I think the main political parties are full of egos and they need to go (roderick, martin, ryan, all of sinn fein, pbp are beyond crap) NGO’S should not be funded by our taxes or the EU. It’s an affront to our democratic nation to do so.

I think Ireland has taken more than it’s fair share of migrants and our leaders should put the foot down with the EU and just say NO MORE!. They were elected to represent our best interests not the EU’s.

Patrick duffy
27 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Oh and also do not agree with people ‘praying’ outside abortion clinics.

ReaIIrish
25 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

I bet you agree Muslims should be allow to pray in Croke Park, as they have been, though.

Amirite?

You ignored Laura’s question about solving the wave of Islamic terrorism, thousands of terrorist attacks, across Europe. Including now in Ireland

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  ReaIIrish

🤣

Killdozer
29 days ago

Islam is incompatible with Western democracies….and were are inviting them in in their thousands. I’m raging ….Britain is lost , we’re next ..,..

James Hogan
29 days ago
Reply to  Killdozer

It is incompatible because Ireland is no longer a Christian country.

Patrick duffy
29 days ago
Reply to  James Hogan

Exactly..because most young people have copped onto the fact it’s a scam! Not because of the increase in muslim migrants!. Go to mass in any irish town on a sunday and witness the age profile in attendance. Blame that on the total animals in the catholic church that committed the most awful crimes against children. They got caught and the people washed their hands of them.

Handsome Jack
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Catholicism is a sect and heavily inspired by Islam’s theocracy. There’s Protestantism, which is much better. But the Golden Rule is not even remotely a scam.

Laura Crowley
28 days ago
Reply to  Handsome Jack

It’s the other way , the Vatican created Islam (or so some claim ) , look up Dr Alberto Rivera a former Jesuit priest who spilled the beans. Not defending either the Vatican or Islam but Islam came years after . Catholicism was the religion of Rome by 300 AD, Islam started around 600 AD. Who knows what’s true & what isn’t from back then but let’s stick to the facts about what’s happening in the UK & Ireland in our generation for now. I agree with your point about the origins of Protestantism being better , at least in terms of its origins in mainland Europe where they sought to get rid of the abuses of the church by the Catholic institutions of the time .

Last edited 28 days ago by Laura Crowley
Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  Handsome Jack

It is indeed. It’s a religious pyramid scheme in a way.

Teresa
25 days ago
Reply to  Handsome Jack

You not familiar with the Protestant churches in NI, specifically Antrim with their huge churches where their members eat, sleep, study the Bible, work and socialise only with like-minded people. Hundreds of thousands live like so. The brain washing is astounding.

Just look up the Wright family re. the bus makers and their church in Antrim.

Have a look at the proliferation of Protestant churches in the USA.

SHANE
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

No people have just evolved.
But yeah a lot of people got raped and washed their hands to be fair.

Declan Cooney
29 days ago

Good article Mr Osborne.
The Church in Ireland has been firmly in the hands of stubbornly secular elite, lay and clerical, for the past 40 yrs. The liturgy I attended last evening, Holy Thursday’s last Supper, was more a community show than a spiritual observance. The MC, sorry, cleric, as is now customary, thanked all the (many) participants whilst Jesus, yeah remember Him !!, was not the focus of WORSHIP !!!!!!!!!!!!!
While the latin crowd try to bring an air of reverence, the appeal for this ancient liturgy is miminal. I prefer the Ordinary Rite but I would like a holy experience. The muslims seem to tick this box, but has nothing of the spiritual richness and depth and truth of The Faith in Jesus, the Christ.

Patrick duffy
29 days ago
Reply to  Declan Cooney

JESUS CHRIST!

David Sheridan
29 days ago

Ireland should not allow any Muslims into Ireland . They hate the west it’s culture and religion. They especially hate Christianity and the Jews. They want an Islamic world and if you don’t believe me read the Koran. It says that it is a good thing to kill the infidel which, by the way, is you and I. Anyone who is not a Muslim is an infidel. They never assimilate into the culture of their host country. They want to destroy the west.

Ray McIntyre
29 days ago

Interesting that the strictly enforced segregation in Mosques for Friday prayers and other services like post Ramadan feasts between women, children and men is never highlighted by the self styled liberal media and political actors.Also it is a mistake to assume people ticking the “Muslim box” on a census return are all “singing from the same hymn sheet” theologically speaking. The theological divisions or “diversity” within Islam are as vast as within Christianity.And I’m not sure there is any equivalent to Christianity’s “ecumenical movement” that seeks to find common ground and shared worship opportunities.Not all Mosques are for all Muslims in my experience. Furthermore even within individual Islamic “denominations” or sects like Sunni Islam there remain geographical traditional and national tensions and divisions that manifest in further informal segregation in Mosques for services. Dialogue and common ground on various moral and cultural issues are possible with local Muslims. One message to offer them is that the self styled liberal enforcers of “Diversity, tolerance and inclusion” are not their friends and as soon as Christianity is firmly pushed into the private sphere they will turn their attention to neutralising Islam and turning it completely into a new Godless ethnic classification that will be their cultural vehicle for the next Woke wave.Just my experiences from interacting with various members of the Muslim community over the years seeking common ground versus abortion etc

James Hogan
29 days ago
Reply to  Ray McIntyre

Interesting you bring up the subject of abortion. A couple of days after the yes sided danced with joy in Dublin castle I happened to be walking rather despondently in Limerick city centre. A lady in full length dress and wearing a hijab passed me by on the pavement. She was pushing a child’s buggy containing a baby and accompanied by three other children under the age of six walking alongside her. I thought to myself that this will be the future of Ireland.

Patrick duffy
29 days ago
Reply to  Ray McIntyre

There was a time women in ireland had to be ‘cleansed’ or ‘churched’ by the local priest after they gave birth before returning to the congregation…because apparantly they were too filthy to be allowed in.

And sure then, ironically, there were priests sexually assaulting children and at the same time preaching their pure poison every week from the pulpit!

Pure, evil, scum!

SHANE
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

You are getting a lot of red thumbs there.Its is true what you say though.I love gript but there is clearly a catholic based following here..Which is fine but inreresting all the same.
Anyway Patrick,you are not a popular boy today.

Peter Forde
28 days ago
Reply to  SHANE

Actually I wouldn’t say most of them are not Catholic either! Not “Roman Catholic” anyway. Have seen it said here that Pope Francis is not really Catholic so that says a lot!

Last edited 28 days ago by Peter Forde
Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  SHANE

Lol! I’m used to them..gript pride themselves on delivering factual news..they say in their statement that readers may not always agree with how they report etc or it may be an uncomfortable read but it will always be honest and factual. Pity the comments section does not echo that sentiment.

Joe McNabb
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Patrick, you need to look at things calmly. You are so consumed with rage that it is blinding you. Look up what ‘churching’ was about and you’ll find it very different to what you think it to be. As for younger people dropping out of the church because of the scandals, I would respectfully suggest that is not the real reason – years of weak teaching of the faith allied to the rise of the ‘me me’ more wealthy culture has meant that people think they no longer need God

Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  Joe McNabb

Haha very good! I’ve no rage in me whatsoever joe i’m just a peace loving atheist. Funny you say ‘rage’ though. Rage is exactly what caused new generations to distance themselves from the catholic church. I do like your very zen ‘be calm dude’ approach though! its adorable😜

Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  Joe McNabb

Incidentally joe, ‘churching’ of women by the local priest was to ‘wash away the sin of childbirth’
Only ended in ireland in the 60’s. Incredible stuff really.

Ar26
26 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

& many Muslims would still practise such archaic behaviour. Why are you attacking those who point out there are problems with this religion? It threatens to bring us back to a place many of want left behind

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  Ar26

Put your real name up there will you please!
Oh i agree, any of these practices have no place in ireland but most importantly, church (all religions) and state should be totally separate. Religion should not inform any policy making in this country. No blind eye turned to any part of society carrying out medieval procedures.

ReaIIrish
25 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Post a photo of your passport, holding it up so we can see your face and we know it’s really you. Include your address.

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  ReaIIrish

🤣as you hide behind the ‘realirish’ handle! As if anyone would post their address up dont be silly now. Says a lot about who you really are though.

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  ReaIIrish

Go back onto your your youtube conspiracy theories compilation. Moron.

Teresa
25 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Yet women remain the biggest supporters of the Catholic Church.

ReaIIrish
25 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Cleansing after birth and after menstruation isn’t unique to Christianity, Catholicism, Ireland or Europe. Same concept exists eastward in Asia and in tribes as far away as the Amazon jungle.

You’ll criticise the Church in Ireland and the hypocrisy but you won’t dare do the same with Islam.

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  ReaIIrish

Hi kevin mcallister! If you read my other posts you’d see i did plenty of criticising!
Read before you type..or ask your mammy to proof read your comments first!

James Randall
29 days ago

This will only end in blood and fire all over the West. And it didn’t have to be that way, but we gave full control of our countries to people who openly hate us.

BTN
29 days ago

Coming to a town near you.
Christian leaders could learn a lot from Muslim leaders regarding keeping people interested and involved.

Pat Coyne
28 days ago

London has Ramadan decorations, while transgender flags have been approved to fly outside the Dublin City Council offices.

Sean O'Connail
25 days ago

Last week my comment was disappeared by the Moderator – the first time ever.
The Saudi funded mosque erected at Regent’s Park in 1974 was intended as a beachhead for the invasion of Britain’s culture by salafists but for in the last decade it has become a font of wahhabism.

Sean O'Connail
28 days ago

When the Saudi funded Regent’s Park mosque was begun in 1974 (opened 1977) a lot of people who remembered Khartoum, the Mahdi, Lucknow etc pointed out that it would prove to be a bridgehead that would bode ill.
So it has proved – how many mosques, frequently in decommissioned (sic!) churches, now thrive in Britain?
What about that one in Galway?

BorisPastaBuck
29 days ago

As 3 o’clock (of this Good Friday) approaches, just a suggestion for viewing over the weekend – videos of people “steeped in learning as regards DNA” and their perplexity as to how the extremely complicated “sequencing” in the DNA of many living things could have come about by the “classical” theory of natural selection and adaptation (“Evolutionary theory” as thought to many school goers) – the particular scientists aren’t doubting evolution, as such, but expressing extreme scepticism that – something akin to “computer codes” – just one digit “either way” changed and the whole organism ceases to be “able to flap its wings and fly” for example – could have been arrived at without some “guiding force”. Food for thought and these particular scientists’ method is “pure Science …..”.

Patrick duffy
29 days ago
Reply to  BorisPastaBuck

That won’t go down well on here. Lol! Great comment!

Ubrington
29 days ago
Reply to  BorisPastaBuck

yep, the fine tuning argument. Its a good one. The four universal forces of our universe, Gravitational Force, Electromagnetic Force, Strong Nuclear Force, Weak Nuclear Force  – chances of them randomly interacting in such a way as to produce this life-sustaining universe – astronomical odds against. Then there’s the low entropy factor, again incalculable odds against it being randomly low enough to support life. Worth musing on.

SHANE
28 days ago

I am none religious and not open to persuasion. That is the problem with religion right there.I dont need persuasion.Do your thing,leave me alone thanks.I am quiet happy in this beautiful world and so was Jesus.He was a pretty chilled out guy who got tortured and murdered by other religious wack jobs.Then to add insult to injury people began to warp the bible over thousands of years.Mohammed was a paedo war lord and Allah the almighty and all knowing and wise knew Mohammed was a paedo.He was all knowing then and now and surely gods dont evolve so Allah is into marrying 6 year olds and having sex with 9 year olds and then making them unable to bear children as the savage paedo destroys the poor childs reproductive system. .Jews all nuts,cutting off foreskins and then some muslims using FGM .I am okay,not open to persuasion.Quiet content staring into space in bemusment at all these wackos with my glass of red and a cheese and charcuterie board.It would be funny if it wasnt so sad.
Religion is the final hurdle in the evolution of the human species.

BorisPastaBuck
28 days ago
Reply to  SHANE

Are you, by any chance, the “Shane” who helped out those “homesteaders” in the good ol’ USA some time ago and, after your valiant deeds, rode off into the sunset – if so, I always wondered what happened to you. I suppose a “Bible thumper” like me wouldn’t have been as good at the ol’ gunslinging as your good self – don’t forget to water that there horse of yours now – da ya hear !!

SHANE
28 days ago
Reply to  BorisPastaBuck

Love it…..No i am not that Shane but yes i am named after the movie staring Allen Lad.Great observation and good movie knowledge.Well done

Teresa
25 days ago
Reply to  SHANE

The forename Shane is an old Irish name.

Your parents never heard of Shane O’Neill.

Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  BorisPastaBuck

No he’s just some ladd

Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  SHANE

Spot on. Great comment

Denis O'Riordan
26 days ago

Jesus said; ” I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Amen. There was only a handful of witnesses after the ascension. No need to be worried about numbers only to bear witness to our faith in Jesus Christ. The Muslims are our brothers and we should be in dialogue with them. There is probably a lot of issues we would have in common with them.

Patrick duffy
29 days ago

Dear author,
Do you live in the uk or ireland? If the uk, get over it. England has been multicultural for over 70 years now.
If Ireland..stop whining about it. Has nothing to do with us here. In any case, this country was held hostage by religious calender events going back a long time. Thankfully, all that shite is in the rearview now and we can go for a pint in a pub on good friday if we so wish. Catholic church here confined christianity to the shitter forever with all the abuse of power over the last century. Good riddance. Better off without them.

Wesley
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Your seething hatred of a Faith so pure is hideous.

Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  Wesley

I don’t hate it wesley i just think it’s a load of bollox and the cause of more division in the human species than anything else in our time!

Laura Crowley
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Dear Patrick,
Look to the future – see what happens when one religion replaces another in civic society.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/jun/17/hamtramck-michigan-muslim-council-lgbtq-pride-flags-banned

Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

Ah come on now laura

Laura Crowley
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

They’re the facts of it unfortunately

Patrick duffy
27 days ago
Reply to  Laura Crowley

‘Facts’

Laura Crowley
27 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Yes “facts” as what happened in the town in the US once a Muslim mayor got elected (as reported by the guardian & lots of other “reputable “ media sources .

SHANE
28 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

I think its the fear of what will replace it.Islam is the problem people are on about.

Patrick duffy
28 days ago
Reply to  SHANE

Radical islam is one of many world problems but nothing reasonable people working together cannot solve.

Ar26
26 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

Radical Islam reject the very concept of reason as that is an enlightenment concept.
They also reject the separation of church and state and lots of Muslims believe the apparatus of the state should be used to impose their religion on everybody else (in their minds us infidels are going to hell so we need saved)

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  Ar26

And that is up to our elected representatives to ensure the rule of law in ireland is respected. If you don’t like it, leave! and go back to a place that allows behaviour from the dark ages. That should be the message. Say it when politicians knock on your door looking for a vote.

Ar26
26 days ago
Reply to  Patrick duffy

If certain factions within Islam have their way then not being able to go for a pint on a Friday will seem like the days of Liberty by comparison.

Vast numbers of Muslims would reintroduce criminalisation of Homosexuality to give one example.

Vast numbers of Muslim men (& women) believe ALL women should be covered from head to toe in public to give another example.

Why are you so blasse about allowing large numbers of people with beliefs like thst into our country?

Patrick duffy
25 days ago
Reply to  Ar26

Read my previous comments and you’ll find i’m not. Read before typing

Should NGOs like NWCI be allowed to spend money they receive from the Government on political campaigns?

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