redderlichtie

There seems to be a barely concealed attempt by some posters on here to claim that the Orange Order is simply a civic/religious body representing the Protestant faith, which, unfortunately, happens to attract unconnected troublemakers to their parades. This claim is not in the least convincing. The roots of the OO lie in the mid-1790s, when it came into existence in the Armagh area, with widespread gentry assistance, in order to intimidate and suppress both Catholic Defenderism and Protestant republicanism. With official complicity and support, they embarked upon a vicious campaign of intimidation against isolated Catholic homesteads, as well as against Protestant supporters of the United movement. The OO has nothing whatsoever to do with a celebration of Protestant faith, and, considering it was established more than a century following the 'Glorious Revolution' (sic), even less to do with celebrating the emergence of a constitutional monarchy. I also find their current position with regards to opposing Scottish independence without any historical justification whatsoever, as independence, as it is being offered, does not, unfortunately, involve moving towards a republican form of government. They are what they have always been, a reactionary reserve force, which will be used by their social superiors in order to maintain a threatened status quo through a clear policy of divide and rule. Those Rangers supporters on here defending the OO, and using their Protestant faith in order to defend the Union have no justification whatsoever for doing so. I hope and trust that all so-called Orange men and 'good Rangers men' will take note and that you will now refrain from any future attempts to equate Protestantism with lickspittle loyalism of the Orange Order variety.