Protestants and The GAA

[trueblue1234]

Right I understand what you mean now. Apologies.

But I'm not sure I'd agree with the asking other religions bit. It's up to them to want to get involved with the GAA, not for the GAA to chase them. Otherwise where do you draw the line with what religions to invite? If you ask the top 5, your risking no 6&7 complaining.

*by the way you could substitute Catholic church here with any other religion. When I was mentioning Catholic church in previous posts it was in reference to this example. So if say a Protestant church came and asked to be involved, I would see no need to run to the catholic church to ask them in response either. It was up to then to ask in the first place.

[muppet]

Right I understand what you mean now. Apologies.

But I'm not sure I'd agree with the asking other religions bit. It's up to them to want to get involved with the GAA, not for the GAA to chase them. Otherwise where do you draw the line with what religions to invite? If you ask the top 5, your risking no 6&7 complaining.

*by the way you could substitute Catholic church here with any other religion. When I was mentioning Catholic church in previous posts it was in reference to this example. So if say a Protestant church came and asked to be involved, I would see no need to run to the catholic church to ask them in response either. It was up to then to ask in the first place.

No apology necessary.

But regarding religion, I agree with Hardy. Play it safe, invite everybody, even if you know only one might show up. Ireland and its cross-border organisations need to be seen to be reasonably fair to the various religions.

[trueblue1234]

I know where you're coming from, but I suppose my take would be welcome any organisation who wants to get involved with the GAA but chase no one. I actually think there's more risk for the GAA in chasing them. As I mentioned, where do you draw the line with regards to who you invite? Where as if the GAA can show that they were approached by the organisation and accepted, it's putting the onus back on the organisation to be proactive. The GAA just need to ensure they are fair and transparent about who they accept.   

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

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?

Yes but aside from other religiond there are many atheists, agnostics, anti-establishment Catholics and pro-secularisation Catholics in the GAA too, who may not  welcome their presance.

[armaghniac]

Yes but aside from other religiond there are many atheists, agnostics, anti-establishment Catholics and pro-secularisation Catholics in the GAA too, who may not  welcome their presance.

Why should the GAA pander to predjudiced people?

[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?

Yes but aside from other religiond there are many atheists, agnostics, anti-establishment Catholics and pro-secularisation Catholics in the GAA too, who may not  welcome their presance.

There is and I don't expect them to be forced to attend an optional mass.

[Eamonnca1]

Some ridiculous responses to this.  The GAA shouldn't be sending out religion-specific invites to anyone. The GAA should be a neutral organization that all are welcome to be part of no matter where they stand on the political spectrum or religious spectrum. We should be trying to market our games to all comers on their sporting merits, not on the basis of "your religion/cult will have special treatment at the event."  The GAA in my home town of Lurgan would be twice as big if more protestants were involved. 

What the hell has sport got to do with religion anyway?  Imagine a Rugby international being advertised, and as part of the festivities they decide to include an Anglican religious service.  All the Anglicans would love that, wouldn't they?  But what are the non-Anglicans supposed to make of it?  Kinda narrows down your target market, wouldn't you say?

Keep it neutral.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

Yes but aside from other religiond there are many atheists, agnostics, anti-establishment Catholics and pro-secularisation Catholics in the GAA too, who may not  welcome their presance.

Why should the GAA pander to predjudiced people?

Religion has no place in sport or the GAA. The only ones being pandered too are the god-squad.

[armaghniac]

People go to mass, the thing was probably on a Sunday. Why not facilitate them, it encourages people to come to the event?

[Eamonnca1]

Because facilitating one religious group by definition excludes others and people of no religious faith. People will go to the event for sporting reasons, not for religious services.

[armaghniac]

Because facilitating one religious group by definition excludes others and people of no religious faith. People will go to the event for sporting reasons, not for religious services.

Get out of it. If there is a burger stand, does it "exclude" vegetarians? If a Jewish person came on here and said that they were "excluded" by a the existence of a hot dog stand you'd have nothing but scorn for their position. If people cannot tolerate an event in a tent that doesn't interest them personally then perhaps it is better they didn't come.
You are beginning to sound like a fleg protester.

[The Boy Wonder]

In the recent past we heard criticism of Mass being celebrated at GAA Congress on the Saturday night. It is also custom to hold Mass in Croke Park on the Sunday morning of All Ireland Finals. Most practicing Catholics want to attend weekly Mass on a Saturday night or Sunday morning and I don't see why accommodating their wishes should cause offence to others. People will have travelled distances to these events (Congress, AI Finals etc.). 

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

People go to mass, the thing was probably on a Sunday. Why not facilitate them, it encourages people to come to the event?

Let them go to mass on saturday night on their own time.

[Eamonnca1]

Are we comparing politics and religion to a burger stand now? That's nice .

I don't have a problem with people attending religious services. I do have a problem with the GAA laying on religious services, endorsing them in an official capacity, and listing them on the clar at congress as if they're part of the official order of business.

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

I suggest 5 additional tents to hold events alongside mass at the same time..

1. Guest speaker Richard Dawkins
2. Swinging, orgies and pornography
3. Foam Party and Bar
4. Limerick poetry competition
5. Father Ted convention