Protestants and The GAA

[rrhf]

Hey guys at least show an understanding of why the gaa became important in the first place. Not arguing with yer points but could take them more seriously if ye have your point researched

[Main Street]

I don't see why mild expressions of religion in some form, should insult/alienate members of other religion. Tolerance and respect for other religions is a standard that a society should encompass. Yet I suppose the irony is, that the religions themselves (including atheists) breed varying degrees of self righteous, dogmatic intolerance. In Europe, generally the further north you go, the more dry and dogmatic the religion.
Sport should be a unifier, free from these squabbles that exist elsewhere in society, a sanctuary  of sorts, where people, who for whatever reason are averse to a display of a religious ritual, are not alienated from the sport. Sport should be saved for the pure rivalry, organically grown hatreds, superiority complexes etc etc, free from the taint of religious or atheist connection.

Personally, it doesn't annoy me when a player performs some religious based ritualistic hand movements before going onto the pitch. How far does this cleansing the GAA soul go?  Will that type of thing still be allowed after the purge?

[trueblue1234]

At the North American GAA finals this year they had Mass at the field in one of the tents and it was publicized by the hosting committee saying "Come celebrate Mass with us."

I intend to give out about it at the convention.  I have no problem with freedom of religion, I'm against suppressing religion (it only encourages them) but as an organization the GAA should not be endorsing any one religious doctrine any more than it should be endorsing any one political party or political philosophy.  As soon as you bring up religion or politics in polite company and nail your colors to the mast, chances are you've just alienated the half of the people in the room who disagree with you. The GAA is open to all and should be seen as such.

Were any other religions refused the opportunity to have a service?

[Hardy]

At the North American GAA finals this year they had Mass at the field in one of the tents and it was publicized by the hosting committee saying "Come celebrate Mass with us."

I intend to give out about it at the convention.  I have no problem with freedom of religion, I'm against suppressing religion (it only encourages them) but as an organization the GAA should not be endorsing any one religious doctrine any more than it should be endorsing any one political party or political philosophy.  As soon as you bring up religion or politics in polite company and nail your colors to the mast, chances are you've just alienated the half of the people in the room who disagree with you. The GAA is open to all and should be seen as such.

Were any other religions refused the opportunity to have a service?

Wrong question.

What other religions were offered the opportunity to have a service?

[trueblue1234]

At the North American GAA finals this year they had Mass at the field in one of the tents and it was publicized by the hosting committee saying "Come celebrate Mass with us."

I intend to give out about it at the convention.  I have no problem with freedom of religion, I'm against suppressing religion (it only encourages them) but as an organization the GAA should not be endorsing any one religious doctrine any more than it should be endorsing any one political party or political philosophy.  As soon as you bring up religion or politics in polite company and nail your colors to the mast, chances are you've just alienated the half of the people in the room who disagree with you. The GAA is open to all and should be seen as such.

Were any other religions refused the opportunity to have a service?

Wrong question.

What other religions were offered the opportunity to have a service?

Why is that the wrong question? Perhaps the Catholic church were the only one that asked to be involved?

[muppet]

At the North American GAA finals this year they had Mass at the field in one of the tents and it was publicized by the hosting committee saying "Come celebrate Mass with us."

I intend to give out about it at the convention.  I have no problem with freedom of religion, I'm against suppressing religion (it only encourages them) but as an organization the GAA should not be endorsing any one religious doctrine any more than it should be endorsing any one political party or political philosophy.  As soon as you bring up religion or politics in polite company and nail your colors to the mast, chances are you've just alienated the half of the people in the room who disagree with you. The GAA is open to all and should be seen as such.

Were any other religions refused the opportunity to have a service?

Wrong question.

What other religions were offered the opportunity to have a service?

Why is that the wrong question? Perhaps the Catholic church were the only one that asked to be involved?

It is important to play the game when you are a high profile organisation. You put the stick away before someone starts beating you with it.

[trueblue1234]

At the North American GAA finals this year they had Mass at the field in one of the tents and it was publicized by the hosting committee saying "Come celebrate Mass with us."

I intend to give out about it at the convention.  I have no problem with freedom of religion, I'm against suppressing religion (it only encourages them) but as an organization the GAA should not be endorsing any one religious doctrine any more than it should be endorsing any one political party or political philosophy.  As soon as you bring up religion or politics in polite company and nail your colors to the mast, chances are you've just alienated the half of the people in the room who disagree with you. The GAA is open to all and should be seen as such.

Were any other religions refused the opportunity to have a service?

Wrong question.

What other religions were offered the opportunity to have a service?

Why is that the wrong question? Perhaps the Catholic church were the only one that asked to be involved?

It is important to play the game when you are a high profile organisation. You put the stick away before someone starts beating you with it.

If you start that Muppet, you'd have everything packed up in this day and age. There's always someone to be offended. But if the catholic church made an effort to get involved with the GAA I don't have a problem with that, as long as any other religion that takes an interest gets the same treatment. I know in my local area, the GAA benefits through certain structures of the catholic church, if only even for the announcements in the notices part of mass for upcoming events/ fundraisers etc.
An optional mass at a GAA event isn't harming anyone. It's not being forced on anyone. In fact I'd have a bigger objection to preventing it just in case someone gets offended. That's a long road if they decide to go down it.

[muppet]

At the North American GAA finals this year they had Mass at the field in one of the tents and it was publicized by the hosting committee saying "Come celebrate Mass with us."

I intend to give out about it at the convention.  I have no problem with freedom of religion, I'm against suppressing religion (it only encourages them) but as an organization the GAA should not be endorsing any one religious doctrine any more than it should be endorsing any one political party or political philosophy.  As soon as you bring up religion or politics in polite company and nail your colors to the mast, chances are you've just alienated the half of the people in the room who disagree with you. The GAA is open to all and should be seen as such.

Were any other religions refused the opportunity to have a service?

Wrong question.

What other religions were offered the opportunity to have a service?

Why is that the wrong question? Perhaps the Catholic church were the only one that asked to be involved?

It is important to play the game when you are a high profile organisation. You put the stick away before someone starts beating you with it.

If you start that Muppet, you'd have everything packed up in this day and age. There's always someone to be offended. But if the catholic church made an effort to get involved with the GAA I don't have a problem with that, as long as any other religion that takes an interest gets the same treatment. I know in my local area, the GAA benefits through certain structures of the catholic church, if only even for the announcements in the notices part of mass for upcoming events/ fundraisers etc.
An optional mass at a GAA event isn't harming anyone. It's not being forced on anyone. In fact I'd have a bigger objection to preventing it just in case someone gets offended. That's a long road if they decide to go down it.

If you start that, i.e. do whatever suits you, everyone will quickly be offended and you will wonder where it all went wrong.

The simple thing for a leader of an organisation, who is genuinely acting in the interests of that organisation, is to invite everyone. If subsequently the Catholic Church is the only one to accept, then it is hardly the Gaa's fault is it?

[trueblue1234]

But what if the Catholic Church is the only one to show an interest and to pro actively WANT to get involved in the GAA. Are they to be punshied because no other religion wanted to get involved?  That makes no sense to me.

[armaghniac]

The simple thing for a leader of an organisation, who is genuinely acting in the interests of that organisation, is to invite everyone. If subsequently the Catholic Church is the only one to accept, then it is hardly the Gaa's fault is it?

Everyone is welcome. A situation may arise, for instance as it may in Eamonn's home town, where the GAA has never had much of a response from one denomination as against another and may have fallen out of the habit of contacting one rather than the other, but if people want to come along then all are welcome. Likewise the Mass tent should also go to soccer games.

[muppet]

But what if the Catholic Church is the only one to show an interest and to pro actively WANT to get involved in the GAA. Are they to be punshied because no other religion wanted to get involved?  That makes no sense to me.

You have been going on an assumption and are sticking to it. 'What if <enter your own religious group>'.... is not a great basis for general policy. Also assuming that 'no other religion wanted to get involved' is not a great way to run an outfit either.

Do you object to inviting say the 5 biggest religions, simply as a means of insulating the organisation from criticism (not to mention possible litigation in some jurisdictions)? Or is it only the Catholic Church that should be invited, end of story?

[trueblue1234]

But what if the Catholic Church is the only one to show an interest and to pro actively WANT to get involved in the GAA. Are they to be punshied because no other religion wanted to get involved?  That makes no sense to me.

You have been going on an assumption and are sticking to it. 'What if <enter your own religious group>'.... is not a great basis for general policy. Also assuming that 'no other religion wanted to get involved' is not a great way to run an outfit either.

Do you object to inviting say the 5 biggest religions, simply as a means of insulating the organisation from criticism (not to mention possible litigation in some jurisdictions)? Or is it only the Catholic Church that should be invited, end of story?

It's no worse an assumption to make than assuming that the GAA invited only the catholic church and no one else which is what you seem to be doing. Truth is we don't know who asked who to attend.
I have no objection to the GAA inviting 55 religions to get involved. I would however have an objection to the GAA saying no to an organisation asking to become involved with a GAA event solely on the reason that it's "Competitors" didn't ask which is what you're implying.

[muppet]

But what if the Catholic Church is the only one to show an interest and to pro actively WANT to get involved in the GAA. Are they to be punshied because no other religion wanted to get involved?  That makes no sense to me.

You have been going on an assumption and are sticking to it. 'What if <enter your own religious group>'.... is not a great basis for general policy. Also assuming that 'no other religion wanted to get involved' is not a great way to run an outfit either.

Do you object to inviting say the 5 biggest religions, simply as a means of insulating the organisation from criticism (not to mention possible litigation in some jurisdictions)? Or is it only the Catholic Church that should be invited, end of story?

It's no worse an assumption to make than assuming that the GAA invited only the catholic church and no one else which is what you seem to be doing. Truth is we don't know who asked who to attend.
I have no objection to the GAA inviting 55 religions to get involved. I would however have an objection to the GAA saying no to an organisation asking to become involved with a GAA event solely on the reason that it's "Competitors" didn't ask which is what you're implying.

I never said this, implied it or telepathically transmitted it to you.

[trueblue1234]

OK lets take my assumption that the Catholic church asked to be involved in this event. Should they have been turned away? If so why?

[muppet]

OK lets take my assumption that the Catholic church asked to be involved in this event. Should they have been turned away? If so why?

I didn't say that either.

Go back to Hardy's question, which is where I joined in, and read from there.

If the Catholic Church asked to be at the event then steps should have been taken to ensure that others religions were afforded the same opportunity. If none accepted, then fire away with the Catholic ceremony.