Our Scotland - www.our-scotland.org

Rinty · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 9:22 am Post subject: Who are You?

Often in Scottish society (especially in heavily populated West and Central Belt), religious or ethnic identity is important and sometimes even defines peoples outlooks on certain issues.

What sort of representation do we have among our community here on this forum and do we feel it shapes or views and opinions? I'll start.

Ayrshire born and bred. Mixed religious background with both my parents actually converting from protestants to Catholics, I myself have no religious beliefs.

I am however, like most people from my area, a product of religious and political events which shaped our country and to an extent my beliefs, the reformation, the Covenanters, Glorious revolution etc, as a republican are a major part of my upbringing and history.

Ethnically, 50% Ulster scots (my direct descendants being ulster protestants but their descendants were Scottish) , 25% always scots (A line, believe it or nor, that I can trace all the way back to Kenneth McAlpin), 25% Irish immigrant (a long time ago though).

I see myself as Scottish, Ayrshire, son of a miner, working class.

If I were to write this a week from now or a week ago I might describe it differently, feel free to rip me apart if you want, anyone else want to have a go?

I don't mind people thinking my background colours my argument, but I like to know where people are coming from when I debate with them. Not how I would pigeonhole them, but how they define themselves.

carol · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 10:16 am Post subject:

Rinty

It's difficult to judge people if they're using psuedonym, tends to be they're hiding behind if for whatever reason. I'll put my hands up and say I do use them. There were reasons at the time.

As for me working class background, my dad was in the army, I cringe when I think about it now....... my dad uses to make us stand up to the queen when the national anthem was on the TV Shocked

We never settled in Scotland until I was 15. My parents were from Kilmacolm my grandfather came across to this area to manange a farm. I think he was originally from Galloway, I think some of my ancestors were from Skye.

Protestant background though not actively attending church.

I didn't think of Scotland as an independent nation until my later years and didn't know much about Scottish History either (I'm still learning).

I've helped raise two local heritage groups off the ground.

Lapsed SNP member and involved witrh no party at the moment.

Not a vey interesting background

Carol

Rinty · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 12:10 pm Post subject: not

carol · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 1:37 pm Post subject:

Rinty

Braw combination my dad was in a welsh regiment, part of my upbringing there in Wales, my earliest memories are of Hong Kong, we've also been to Germany stationed in Osnabruck and Berlin, Northern Ireland, early years in Kent.

My accent is unique!!

As for heritage groups, raising awareness of a local tower house we're hoping to eventually restore and organising Scottish History lectures. My organisational skills are pretty good and I recently coordinated an early music festival. My work is voluntary.

In my chill out time attending commemorations, I wear the arisaid or other traditional gear.

Our past is what makes us what we are today. I believe in keeping our cultural identity alive. Some journey I could never imagine 10 year ago this is the route I would've taken.

Cool on the youth group, I've enough problems keeping my brood in line.

Carol

parkhead_rfb · Getting on a bit! Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 1974

scottish born, catholic parents but neither of them practising, and im not a great fan of the rc church at all. family moved to scotland from ireland originally like many others due to the problems british occupation there caused.

i vote ssp, but wouldnt go so far as joining them due to their policies on ireland.
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"our revenge will be the laughter of our children" bobby sands MP

"there is no equality in a society that stands upon the political and economic bog, if only the strongest make it good or survive" bobby sands MP

khraeigh · No Longer a Wean Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 69

Rinty · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 3:50 pm Post subject: grr

khraeigh · No Longer a Wean Joined: 12 Oct 2005 Posts: 69

Rinty;

The attitude he takes towards fellow Scots I find pitiful.

His constant rants that are anti-Rangers/anti-protestant/anti-West Coast Scotland are pitiful.

Maybe you find this acceptable behaviour from a so called 'proud' Scot. I do not.

If he really resents his own people so much why doesn't he leave?

He is free to any time he wants.

He obviously has no affection for Scotland, as is evident from his tiresome rants.

Scots should be able to put any sort of divide to the side to work together, again, his vitriolic rants suggest he is incapable of this.

He constantly changes the topic of discussion to Celtic/Ireland/Catholics, sorry but this is a political forum to suggest ways we can free our country.
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Alba Gu Brath!

[X] SNP

Rinty · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 4:53 pm Post subject: no

You are wrong. His only post in this thread says

parkhead_rfb · Getting on a bit! Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 1974

name me on comment i have made which has been anti protestant?

i know the ssp do not have an official policy on ireland as such but there have been debates on the issue coming from the party which i have read and they generally have been of the both sides as bad as each other opinion, i find that dissapointing. perhaps supporting irish unification would not be a vote winner in scotland though?

on most other issues though i generally agree with the ssp and that is why i vote for them.

i dont think that psf would have an offical policy on scotland other than supporting their calls for an independent nation in the same way they do with the basque country etc. Although i was previously a psf supporter i no longer am and these days i find myself more drawn to the IRSM than anything else.
_________________
"our revenge will be the laughter of our children" bobby sands MP

"there is no equality in a society that stands upon the political and economic bog, if only the strongest make it good or survive" bobby sands MP

Rinty · Posted: Sat Oct 22, 2005 5:59 pm Post subject: no

parkhead_rfb · Getting on a bit! Joined: 13 Oct 2005 Posts: 1974

i'm already on the committee of my own band as well as that of our band alliance, as well as having a fourth year at university to complete so my time is pretty much limited in what other organisations i can join.
_________________
"our revenge will be the laughter of our children" bobby sands MP

"there is no equality in a society that stands upon the political and economic bog, if only the strongest make it good or survive" bobby sands MP