Is sectarianism a factor in the McCann case?

[Vertigo Swirl]

I'm glad you wrote can be,I have no religious affiliation to any thing,well save money perhaps.

You worship money?  Or have I misunderstood your odd comment...?

[barrier]

You worship money?  Or have I misunderstood your odd comment...?

Tongue in cheek.

[Erngath]

What made you think it was specifically anti Catholic?

The derogatory words used about their visit to Fatima, their meeting with the Pope, photoshopped images, the terms such as " Saint" Kate  and so on.
I have no doubt this bias plays only a small part toward some of the antipathy towards the McCanns but  in my opinion it exists.

[slartibartfast]

Sectarianism is not always expressed in vile and abusive language.

Some of the internet posting relating to Madeleine's disappearance has more than a whiff of anti Catholic bias.

I often wonder if Madeleine had been the daughter of a Jewish or Muslim couple would their faith have been mocked  and ridiculed in quite the same manner as has been the case with the McCanns.

It would have 100 times worse IMO.

[Brietta]

I'm glad you wrote can be,I have no religious affiliation to any thing,well save money perhaps.

LOL I know a few adherents of your preferred 'faith' ... I've never been able to hang onto it for long enough to be able to join though!

Erngath's post does ring a peal of bells with me but not only with regard to the dark underbelly of the internet.  If I had a pound for every time Kate and Gerry's faith is mentioned by MSM I would be eligible to sit in a pew alongside Barrier counting my loot.

In a country with a religious history such as ours I think that could be subliminal perhaps? (not me counting my loot ... I wish! ... but constant reference to Kate and Gerry's faith).

The terms are never said in a pejorative manner ... but why say it at all? ... it is obviously how they are defined which in context is fine.  For example is Sadiq Khan frequntly if ever described as "Muslim" or "devout Muslim" ? and if so I would imagine only in context

[ShiningInLuz]

I initially thought so too but I have found that sceptics and supporters can be members of both sides of the religious divide.

The thread originated from a comment about sectarianism around Glasgow, and around Liverpool.  Not in general.

The only people who can comment on this aspect are those who lived in Glasgow or Liverpool around the time.

I believe the forum has sufficient first-hand experience that the rest of us would be wise to listen and learn.

[G-Unit]

LOL I know a few adherents of your preferred 'faith' ... I've never been able to hang onto it for long enough to be able to join though!

Erngath's post does ring a peal of bells with me but not only with regard to the dark underbelly of the internet.  If I had a pound for every time Kate and Gerry's faith is mentioned by MSM I would be eligible to sit in a pew alongside Barrier counting my loot.

In a country with a religious history such as ours I think that could be subliminal perhaps? (not me counting my loot ... I wish! ... but constant reference to Kate and Gerry's faith).

The terms are never said in a pejorative manner ... but why say it at all? ... it is obviously how they are defined which in context is fine.  For example is Sadiq Khan frequntly if ever described as "Muslim" or "devout Muslim" ? and if so I would imagine only in context

As I understand it the couple turned to religion in their time of trouble, despite not being particularly devout before, as Kate's mother explained;

 as soon as Kate realised what had happened, it was as if, errm.. she started to ask God right away to give her Madeleine. Errm… because Kate and Gerry were not the most devout family. We do have Catholic faith, errm… it's… it's the religion that we were brought up in, but I would never describe myself as a devout person.
https://joana-morais.blogspot.com/2008/09/maddie-case-first-interview-to-kates.html

The church in PdL became their refuge and source of strength and it became a large part of their daily lives. They then visited Fatima and Rome. Hence the media reports.

[Sunny]

LOL I know a few adherents of your preferred 'faith' ... I've never been able to hang onto it for long enough to be able to join though!

Erngath's post does ring a peal of bells with me but not only with regard to the dark underbelly of the internet.  If I had a pound for every time Kate and Gerry's faith is mentioned by MSM I would be eligible to sit in a pew alongside Barrier counting my loot.

In a country with a religious history such as ours I think that could be subliminal perhaps? (not me counting my loot ... I wish! ... but constant reference to Kate and Gerry's faith).

The terms are never said in a pejorative manner ... but why say it at all? ... it is obviously how they are defined which in context is fine.  For example is Sadiq Khan frequntly if ever described as "Muslim" or "devout Muslim" ? and if so I would imagine only in context

I agree with you Brietta but surely the McCanns must have agreed with the media referring to their religion constantly.  They have of course held publicised prayer vigils in Rothley square every year on Madeleine's birthday.

Had they wanted their religion not pushed by the media they could have held these vigils in a church where photography would surely be prohibited and privacy enabled to some extent.

[jassi]

I agree with you Brietta but surely the McCanns must have agreed with the media referring to their religion constantly.  They have of course held publicised prayer vigils in Rothley square every year on Madeleine's birthday.

Had they wanted their religion not pushed by the media they could have held these vigils in a church where photography would surely be prohibited and privacy enabled to some extent.

All part of their carefully-crafted PR image.  IMO
Did they get an invitation from the Pope, or was that just part of the PR ?

[faithlilly]

A lot of very unpleasant things were said about Kate's Catholic Faith in the beginning.  I never have understood this, although I suppose I should have done, growing up in London in the 40s and 50s, but it just didn't make sense to me even as a child.

Sectarian rhetoric never makes sense. To be fair though I don’t that it was Kate’s catholic faith that was ridiculed, she could have been CoE and it would still have been the same, but her perceived use of that faith when her own mother said they weren’t particularly religious.

For me the religion thing is unimportant. I come from the same part of Scotland as several other members and I simply don’t recognise the endemic bigotry described. Perhaps it’s because I’m from a different generation.

[Vertigo Swirl]

Sectarian rhetoric never makes sense. To be fair though I don’t that it was Kate’s catholic faith that was ridiculed, she could have been CoE and it would still have been the same, but her perceived use of that faith when her own mother said they weren’t particularly religious.

For me the religion thing is unimportant. I come from the same part of Scotland as several other members and I simply don’t recognise the endemic bigotry described. Perhaps it’s because I’m from a different generation.

Do you think ridiculing people for turning to god in times of great need and despair is acceptable or understandable?

[Eleanor]

Sectarian rhetoric never makes sense. To be fair though I don’t that it was Kate’s catholic faith that was ridiculed, she could have been CoE and it would still have been the same, but her perceived use of that faith when her own mother said they weren’t particularly religious.

For me the religion thing is unimportant. I come from the same part of Scotland as several other members and I simply don’t recognise the endemic bigotry described. Perhaps it’s because I’m from a different generation.

I don't class myself as religious, albeit raised a Protestant and later becoming a Catholic in my own head.  I decided to be an Agnostic.  But I know what I do when the going gets a bit rough.  I gabble Hail Mary's at an alarming rate, which frequently work, and not just for me.

[G-Unit]

Sectarian rhetoric never makes sense. To be fair though I don’t that it was Kate’s catholic faith that was ridiculed, she could have been CoE and it would still have been the same, but her perceived use of that faith when her own mother said they weren’t particularly religious.

For me the religion thing is unimportant. I come from the same part of Scotland as several other members and I simply don’t recognise the endemic bigotry described. Perhaps it’s because I’m from a different generation.

Sectarianism is based on historical events; hence the 'Orange' reference relating to William of Orange 1650-1702.  It was diluted in the 1960's as religion became less dominant, but where it was institutionalised it took longer to die out imo. A lot of those interested in the case are older and still sensitive to the injustice of it. Perhaps it is they who saw the opposition to the McCanns as being based on religious affiliation?

[Vertigo Swirl]

An alternative view:

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/peter-curran/sectarianism-religion-and_b_1000544.html

Sectarianism, Religion and Politics in 21st Century Scotland
Peter Curran Blogger, author, musician
FACTS AND BELIEFS - SHARED AND PERSONAL

Let's start with a few facts, ones that are accepted as fact - I hope - across the range of opinions on the subject.

1. Sectarianism is a significant problem in Scottish life.

2. No government, national or devolved, passed any legislation to combat it until the Scottish Government's 2011 legislation.

3. The Scottish police believe there is a need for such legislation, and have welcomed the new powers it gives them to deal with sectarian behaviour.

4. The most egregious examples of sectarian behaviour have been at football matches, especially Old Firm matches, or have been directly related to football, e.g. the bombs sent to Neil Lennon and others. That is not to say that they are the only manifestations of sectarian behaviour, nor to say that other, less visible instances of such behaviour may be damaging Scottish life in even more fundamental ways, e.g sectarian behaviour in employment, in the Police and in the Law.

If you don't accept all of the above as facts, then little that I have to say will impress you, and vice versa. To misquote Sydney Smith - "We will never agree, we are arguing from separate premises (sic)"

[Vertigo Swirl]

Sectarian rhetoric never makes sense. To be fair though I don’t that it was Kate’s catholic faith that was ridiculed, she could have been CoE and it would still have been the same, but her perceived use of that faith when her own mother said they weren’t particularly religious.

For me the religion thing is unimportant. I come from the same part of Scotland as several other members and I simply don’t recognise the endemic bigotry described. Perhaps it’s because I’m from a different generation.

And this one's for you:

Culture of denial over sectarianism in Scotland, report says

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-39179445