Coming from Australia, it takes a little while to comprehend exactly how deeply ingrained the disagreements between the protestants and the catholics are here in Scotland. On the day of the Carter game there was a local derby between Glasgow's two "Old Firm" sides, Rangers and Celtic. These two teams have been incredibly successful in the Scottish Football League and have the biggest fan-bases of any teams in the country. It seems however that you really don't have much choice about which you support, because Rangers are the Protestant team and Celtic are the Catholic team... so essentially the religion you're born into ties you to one team for life. Not only does it determine who you support, but religion finds its way into the football ground in a very serious way. Celtic fans sing the Irish National Anthem (in Irish), while Rangers fans sing God Save The Queen. Irish flags, Union Jacks... you get the picture. Ever wondered why Rangers wear blue and Celtic wear green? 
Throughout the UK, it's standard practice for the crowds to be segregated by their teams which is something unheard of in AFL or Rugby League. However, if it weren't at force in Glasgow, I reckon the weegies would kill each other. Allan told me some interesting tales about a couple of experiences he's had in Glasgow and they're scary to say the least. The football almost seems to take second place to the sectarian hatred, and when football's basically the only sport in town and it's going ten months a year, there's a lot of destructive influence going on. Some people are so keen to get involved in Scotland's most intense sectarian rivalry that many people support these Glaswegian teams, even if their own city or village has its own team. Now, this religious alliance isn't restricted to the Old Firm sides, but for other teams in the Scottish Football League, it doesn't seem to be as significant and they should all be very pleased that it's not.
It seems to me, as an outsider, that the historical and continued success of the Old Firm sides is the curse which makes Glasgow such a damned horrible place. In Buddhism, there's a saying that all unwholesome behaviour has its roots in either greed, aversion or delusion... and the synergy between footballing success and sectarian rivalries, mean that Glasgow is wallowing in all three. Knowing little of the history of these sects I don't understand why they can't make a bit of an effort to get along a bit better. They both believe in God and surely that above all factors must be a unifying element that should bring them together rather than tear them apart. Imagine if they know how divergent my religious views were to theirs, they'd probably tear me apart! For the sake of yourselves and your city weegies, get the hell over it.
3 comments:
Ah Paul, how I could give your a riveting lecture about how Henry the VIII divorce from Catherine of Aragon and the moving away from Catholicism towards the newly formed CofE in the UK, and how it changed history and of course the subsequent inquests, but alas I would like you not to suffer from Jet lag by reading my comment and fall asleep. I am glad you are enjoying your holiday and it seems you are really immersing yourself in the culture and how others people live (its probably my favourite part of travelling that and the food). It reinforces the fact we are the lucky country. Love reading your blogs, all well here, hope you liked the photos. Love the substitute Mrs!
Hi Paul, love reading the blog. Hope you are recovering - get the ventolin - even if you need to see the doc. Don't let it spoil your trip. Thought about posting music back? In case you have to pay duty for a huge amount at the airport - They'll think your collection (!!!!) will be for commercial rather than personal use. Hope you found heaps!!! Love M&D
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