The priest at Lyras funeral

Being in the same company ,such as the leaders of the DUP and Sin Fein parties sitting together at a funeral service but refusing to work together to run the country

It depends what you mean by together. I certainly don't believe that they are any more united than previously.
Presenting a united front.

I really don’t get your point. Threads develop. That’s fine

This thread developed by the third post

Yes I did praise him and I think his words were spot on but also others on the thread have pointed out the intolerance within the church, most religions, and I think that’s also relevant.

I think it’s important to take on board other views and ideas as threads develop.

Mycatisahacker your opening post praises the priest !

Anja

I started the thread and I think her sexuality and the intolerance to this in many faiths mirrors the bigotry and hate that killed her.

At base it’s all about accepting and tolerating other views, lifestyles and opinions.

N.I. has not had a Parliament for over two years ,

Exactly Annie

Anja seems her sexuality is of more importance / interest than her murder.

annep the party leaders who will not work together gathered together following the murder , the congregation were applauding the priest for saying this.

They were applauding the fact that the community has come together to express their outrage at this killing. The community.....from all sides and religious beliefs. That was what the priest was talking about and suggesting that the politicians should follow suit.

Surely that was obvious?

Anja what were they applauding?? They hadn't been brought "together".
I too am sorry that another life has been lost.

We have lived through a time of enormous change in attitudes. With time it will not matter to anyone if you are gay or not but these changes take time. It is hard for people to change their attitudes. It is not so long ago that homosexual acts were illegal. The Church has to work through these questions and cannot rush into changing their stand on things without a lot if thought , discussion and prayer. The Anglican Church is worldwide and changes have to be made slowly to avoid schism if possible.I absolutely agree that love and acceptance is the way forward .

Easily done.

I am just so SAD at a young life lost.

You are right, of course, anja. I think some of us just got sidetracked by another sort of intolerant bigotry.

What the hell is all this nit picking, flagging up her sexuality got to do with anything?

A young woman is dead. Dead because of the tribal intolerance, so common in some sections of society and manifesting itself as religion in N. Ireland.

It wasn’t her homosexuality that killed her it was a bullet from the gun of an intolerant bigot. The body language and faces of certain of the politicians sat at the front wore that same look and their reluctance to get to their feet to applaud the words directed at them spoke volumes.

When I was young gay people didn’t usually ‘come out’. If you were male, it was illegal anyway. Nothing was said, but people of the same sex could live together and be referred to as friends. For some there was more to it in private, for some there wasn’t. For the most part, nobody knew which. In some ways, that was simpler. Looking back, I knew one or two couples, male and female, who were probably homosexual, but nobody mentioned it at the time. Don’t ask, don’t tell.

Sorry, I’m probably off topic. I didn't see Lyra’s funeral so can’t comment except to say that the attitude of most religions towards homosexuality is one of the reasons I would not follow a religious faith. Who do they think they are?

you think the DUP would take the slightest notice of a RC priest anyway?
SF would?
Perhaps people could stop voting for these two parties and move forward - without looking backwards.

Best part of the wedding!

Michael?

I remember how excited everyone got about that priest at Meghsn’s wedding and I bet no one can remember his name now.
No, I can't remember his name, but I can visualise him clearly and hear him - wasn't he a bishop?

I have to agree with you Maryeliza’

The troubles were caused by intolerance, hatred, discrimination and division.

It’s all one and the same just pick your prejudices

I didn’t say that and I certainly don’t want to get into a discussion of the complex history of Ireland. What I do know is that making young gay people feel evil and fearing hell is wicked and evil and those who believe and preach that have nothing, nothing to say about peace and love and a better society. That’s it really. I remember how excited everyone got about that priest at Meghsn’s wedding and I bet no one can remember his name now. Well this one will have no impact either - you think the DUP would take the slightest notice of a RC priest anyway?

The Troubles were not caused by disagreements of people loving differently

Not a pity at all ab the thread has kept pretty focused on love and the acceptance of the many ways of loving that should be the cornerstone of any religion. Love and acceptance of difference would go a long way to help heal NI rather than pedalling of hate and calling people evil for loving differently.