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Anti-catholicism in Northern Ireland 1600-1998 : the mote and the beam / John D. Brewer and Gareth I. Higgins.

By: Brewer, John D.
Contributor(s): Higgins, Gareth I.
Material type: materialTypeLabelBookPublisher: Houndmills, Basingstoke : Macmillan, 1998Description: x, 248 p. ; 22 cm. + pbk.ISBN: 033374635X .Subject(s): Anti-Catholicism -- Northern Ireland -- History | Northern Ireland -- Religon | Northern Ireland -- Politics and governmentDDC classification: 305.620416
Contents:
Introduction -- Part I: Anti-catholicism as a sociological process in Irish history -- Plantation to the United Irishmen: 1600-1799 -- Union to partition: 1800-1920 -- Northern Ireland: 1921-1998 -- Part II: Sociological features of contemporary anti-catholicism -- The modes of contemporary anti-catholcism -- Common-sense reasoning and theological misunderstandings -- Conclusion.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Anti-Catholicism forms part of the dynamics to Northern Ireland's conflict and is critical to the self-defining identity of certain Protestants. However, anti-Catholicism is as much a sociology process as a theological dispute. It was given a Scriptural underpinning in the history of Protestant-Catholic relations in Ireland, and wider British-Irish relations, in order to reinforce social divisions between the religious communities and to offer a deterministic belief system to justify them. The book examines the socio-economic and political processes that have led to theology being used in social closure and stratification between the seventeenth century and the present day.

Bibliography: (pages 239-245) and index.

Introduction -- Part I: Anti-catholicism as a sociological process in Irish history -- Plantation to the United Irishmen: 1600-1799 -- Union to partition: 1800-1920 -- Northern Ireland: 1921-1998 -- Part II: Sociological features of contemporary anti-catholicism -- The modes of contemporary anti-catholcism -- Common-sense reasoning and theological misunderstandings -- Conclusion.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

  • Introduction
  • Part I Anti-Catholicism as a Sociological Process in Irish History
  • Plantation to the United Irishmen: 1600-1799
  • Union to Partition: 1800-1920
  • Northern Ireland: 1921-1998
  • Part II Sociological Features of Contemporary Anti-Catholicism
  • The Modes of Contemporary Anti-Catholicism
  • Common-Sense Reasoning and Theological Misunderstandings
  • Conclusion
  • Postscript: A Better Way
  • Index

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

Brewer and Higgins analyze the historical evolution of Protestant anti-Catholic beliefs since the 17th century and carefully distinguish the main forms of anti-Catholicism that continue today in Northern Ireland. Describing anti-Catholicism as a sociological process that serves to maintain the union with Britain and the social, economic, and political dominance of Protestants in the province, they extend the analysis of Protestant thinking beyond Steve Bruce's study of Ian Paisley's religious and political stance (God Save Ulster!, CH, Nov'87). A Protestant sociologist, Brewer is especially credible in indicating the degree to which anti-Catholic sentiments are based on historical myths and distortions and on misunderstandings about post-Vatican II Catholic beliefs and practices. The authors conclude with an upbeat survey of current efforts at a "better way" of reconciliation, which may, in time, overcome much of the prejudice and bigotry in the divided province. Should be in all libraries, though, unfortunately, evangelical "Bible Protestants" will probably not read it. All levels. J. W. Auld; California State University, Dominguez Hills

Author notes provided by Syndetics

JOHN D. BREWER is Professor of Sociology at The Queen's University of Belfast. He was a Visiting Fellow at Yale University 1989, and St John's College, Oxford, 1992. He taught at the University of East Anglia and the University of Natal. He is the author and co-author of ten books, including Inside the RUC, After Soweto, Black and Blue, Crime in Ireland 1945-95, and Police, Public Order and the State (Macmillan) and editor of Can South Africa Survive and Restructuring South Africa, both with Macmillan.

GARETH I. HIGGINS was Formerly Research Assistant in the Department of Sociology and Social Policy, The Queen's University of Belfast, and is now doing doctoral research in the Department of Sociology and Social Policy at Queen's on the myth of the anti-Christ in Northern Irish Protestantism.