Boruc's blessing, Scotland's shame

From The Herald      http://www.theherald.co.uk/

Artur Boruc was born in the very year Solidarity took Polish workers on to the streets of Gdansk, so changing the course of European history. His parents no doubt told him what life was like before his birth in 1980, when puppet governments following Moscow's command tried to impose official atheism on the deeply religious country. Catholic priests were gagged, senior clergy placed under house arrest, convents raided and church magazines banned. But no-one was ever cautioned for making the sign of the cross.

We can only imagine what the ageing Lech Walesa will think of the news - surely playing big in Poland - that the young Celtic goalkeeper has been reprimanded apparently for blessing himself at an Old Firm game in February. The Crown Office now says the player was censured for other provocative gestures towards the crowd. But several days into the row, that sounds like a limp attempt at belated damage limitation. Comments by the player's agent suggest that the player believes he was cautioned over his blessing.
The message has already gone around the world: Scotland stamps on religious freedom. Footballers blessed themselves in both hope and trepidation each night during the World Cup finals. For many, it is as much an instinctive, superstitious sign as an expression of profound religious belief. It is all rather perplexing for those uninitiated in the ways of Scotland's west.
Ruth Kelly, the minister for communities at Westminster, waded into the mess yesterday, oblivious, as English ministers usually are, to the fact that this was a devolved issue. Kelly asked if such a decision was appropriate in a country that values religious and cultural diversity. But there is also considerable concern among informed people closer to home. The Catholic church, SNP leader Alex Salmond and the Labour MP Jim Devine have all condemned the treatment of Boruc. What kind of country criminalises someone for such an innocent act?
We know China persecutes adherents of Falun Gong, while Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan have a poor record of tolerance towards non-muslim minorities. But Scotland? Have we really changed so little since the days of John Knox?
This sounds like an extreme reaction, but the comparison will be drawn. Some Celtic fans will rush to claim it is another example of Scotland's shame - the same anti-catholic prejudice that blighted this nation for centuries. These fans, let us call them the martyrdom tendency, will blame a Presbyterian legal establishment for the fate of poor Boruc.
This is untrue and unfair. The police have worked hard to implement the Scottish Executive's commitment to end sectarianism. They have made large numbers of arrests under the Criminal Justice (Scotland) 2003 Act, that decrees a crime can by aggravated by religious hatred. An analysis by the prosecution service of the law's first six months found that twice as many of the attacks involved "Protestants" abusing "Catholics". Celtic fans have no grounds for suggesting the Boruc blessing incident reflects some sectarian malaise in our justice system. However, those police and prosecutors who were directly involved in this decision have done themselves - and the law - no favours. No video evidence exists of the goalkeeper's alleged misbehaviour. The decision instead relies on video footage of reaction among the crowd. What does this prove? That the crowd got ugly at an Old Firm derby? Did the fans provoke Boruc after he blessed himself, leading to those other gestures the Crown now insists are key to the case?
There are witness statements but, as always, the Crown Office need not provide any evidence to justify its decisions, however bizarre these may appear to ordinary mortals. Was the key witness a linesman, a press photographer, a police officer - or was it that chap with the Red Hand of Ulster tattooed on his forearm?  Since the case will never reach court, we will never find out.
If there is an explanation for this sorry saga, it may lie in a confusion about the issue of what constitutes sectarianism. The broad-brush approach insists that football is a sport, and associating it with anything else - religion, politics, ethnicity - is asking for trouble. But it is a brave official who comes between fans and their traditions.
A few years ago Glasgow City Council invoked a mixture of outrage and hilarity when it was suggested that all national flags should be barred from football grounds.
The threat was not carried out, yet it had logic. The violence associated with the Old Firm is as much to do with ethnic/political divisions as it is with religion. But to wipe out this aspect of the clubs' traditions, you'd also have to stop Celtic wearing green and sporting a shamrock crest. God Save the Queen would become a
sectarian song. Where does it all end?
A truly tolerant society can live with difference. Imposing homogeneity for the sake of good community relations can have the opposite effect - as the French discovered when they outlawed muslim headscarves. Sectarianism is not about expressing your own religion or culture, as Boruc did, it is about demonstrating ill-will towards someone else's religion or culture. This is quite clearly defined in the 2003 Criminal Justice Act. So a Rangers fan flying the Union flag is not sectarian, but he becomes so if he sings of immersion in Fenian blood. A Celtic fan rejoicing in his Irish identity is not sectarian, but becomes so if he flaunts an image of Bobby Sands, whose organisation killed and maimed many Northern Irish Protestants.
It is not always so easy, of course. What of Paul Gascoigne's infamous fake-flute playing all those years ago? That was considered inflammatory by the SFA - not to mention many of those who witnessed it. But then we get into difficult territory. The Orange Order, to its members, is a traditional organisation that celebrates religious freedom. For many Catholics, however, it celebrates Protestant supremacy.
Despite such difficulties of definition, Scotland has made great strides in tackling religious hatred. The action plan published by the executive this January is comprehensive, covering everything from football banning orders, the licensing of parades, to discrimination at work. Crucially, it concentrates on educating young people. There is an excellent resource for teachers and community workers, Don't Give it, Don't Take It, which offers an intelligent and thoughtful approach to the problem.
The key football clubs have done their bit too. This season, Rangers relaunched their Pride over Prejudice campaign with a blue book of approved terrace songs.
Scotland is facing up to its shame. We are doing something about sectarianism after many years of pretending it would go away if we just ignored it. What a pity our esteemed Crown Office has sent the opposite story around the world.

Comments

[Derek Wright]

In response to the comments of Kevin Mckenzie, I would point out this is exactly the problem in this country, having an alternative opinion makes you a bigot because pc's like you Kevin are so easily offended, or at least claim to be.
Let make it clear for you, I have no problem with any faith and certainly would not defend the filth that mars the terraces of my club from time to time, howvere I do have a problem when I am expected to pay for something that exempts me.
I am happy to listen to your arguement however you point out that it has nothing to do with scotlands education system, so lets be clear that is nothing more than your opinion which I respect.
Unfortunately the "narrow minds" you mention doesnt allow you to give the same respect to other people.

[Kevin McKenzie]

Reading the comments above, no wonder sectarianism is Scotlands shame, I am not religous or have been 'christened' but am I to be tarred with your brush because I support one team or another, it's got nothing to do with schools, it's our perception and fears, get over these they are not important this is only apartheid in another form. I've spent 20 years outside Scotland, would I move back?? With the narow minds seen here I doubt it, I wnat my kid to wear his shirt with pride and not the fear of getting beaten up because of the thugs who call themselves supporters.

[Derek Wright]

Sorry Joan your article is so bias I feel I have to respond.
I am a proud Rangers fan and have no problem in any man blessing themselves if they find comfort in this then good for them.
My issue with the catholic church is there demand for faith schools which divide the community however they expect other faiths within that very community to fund them through the tax system. I have no doubt in the crazy society that we now live in Scotland this view will have me labelled a bigot as it doesnt fall into the nicey nicey political correct norm however until these schools go or are privately funded Scotland will never move forward.

[Robert Sieger]

The problem is that too many Catholics in Scotland regard themselves as Irish first and foremost, if not exclusively. Glagow Celtic, Eire Og, Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and other subersive entities are the tip of the iceberg. The segregated schooling is both cause and symptom of the reason for the sectarian divide. No Caledonian, regardless of political opinion, should ever step foot in Parkhead Stadium and no British team should compete against Glasgow Celtic until Celtic relocates to the country to which it owes its loyalties.
Then when Dublin Celtic F.C. come to Scotland, we will meet them, greet them and beat them. Until then nothing will change.

[Wiliam]

Joan McAlpine is trying to tell us in her latest anti Rangers bile, that she was on an underground train that was trying to be derailed by Rangers fans screaming 'Fenian scum'

If this is fact, then she would have been on the only sectarian derailment in British history,as only catholics would have been killed or injured.

[Alan Glasgow]

Rangers may think they are trying to address their "problem" but the footage from Manchester just highlights the divide. I have never seen Celtic fans behaving that way. I am fed up with the "both sides are to blame" attitude...like this article. Its simply not true. And there is a reason for that ...if you're a catholic you will already know...but respect for your fellow man and a sense of social responsibilty are just two of the many lessons we learn all through our family and education....personally i blame catholic schools....and their families ..and the church....pretty good advert for society i would say :-)

[Paula Brooks]

I too am trying to buy the play "Orange Blossom Girl" and would like details of the publisher and ISBN number please.
Many thanks,
Paula Brooks

[Laura Whittard]

I am trying to buy your play "Orange Blossom Girl" but at present can't find the publisher-can you let me know how to go about ordering it?

Many thanks,

Laura Whittard

[Kathleen Matthews]

growing up as a Catholic in Glasgow and now at 73 I can still recall being denied my first job by a publisher in Bath St, who told me in no uncertain terms that they did not employ Catholics.This is just one of the many insults I had to endure as a Catholic.I see that Glasgow is now a city in decline, it is well deserved.