New book reveals what Orange Order really thinks
ORANGE Order members’ private views on the peace process, Parades Commission and even abortion have all been laid bare in a new book written with the institution’s full cooperation.
In the first-ever survey of what really makes the Brethren tick, ‘Loyal To the Core?: Orangeism and Britishness in Northern Ireland’ is written based entirely on the inner thoughts of both the ordinary members and office holders.
Although the book reinforces many stereotypes, it also provides a valuable insight into an organisation with a membership – 40,000 – numerically greater than all of the main political parties in Northern Ireland combined.
Among the main issues dividing the Brethren are abortion and parading restrictions.
The candid survey responses – with 1,500 members sampled in total – revealed that less than 60 per cent of Brethren felt they had the right to march anywhere in Northern Ireland without restrictions. The book’s authors described the figure of 58 per cent as “not overwhelming”.
Perhaps surprisingly, almost one-in-five lodge members said they were opposed to marches going where the local residents were unsupportive.
However, despite showing signs of conciliatory thinking on many issues, some opinions expressed will undoubtedly be seized upon by the Order’s critics.
Almost two-thirds agreed with the contention that “most Roman Catholics are IRA sympathisers” with only 26 per cent disagreeing, while nine in every ten members said that, in general, Protestants are being discriminated against in 21st century Northern Ireland.
Tampering with tradition is always likely to cause heated debate within lodge circles and attempts to broaden the appeal of the Order’s celebrations through the Orangefest initiative have proved particularly divisive.
Despite Grand Lodge enthusiasm, a small number of lodges have refused to acknowledge Orangefest.
One member interviewed by the authors said he supported the “sensible aim” of Orangefest but added: “We have to remember that we have a certain basic understanding of what the Orange institution is and what it’s about.
“We can’t lose that, simply to be cavorting about, trying to entertain the public. We’re not here to entertain the public, at least I’m not.”
In conclusion, the authors contend that the Orange Order will “surely be redundant without a significant religious role” and talk of the Order’s internal debate over the rise of the “political Protestant” at the expense of the “religious Protestant”.
The authors note: “The challenge for the remainder of the 21st century will be to make either type of membership relevant.”
The book also highlights the “extraordinarily difficult” issue of how to change the mindset of critics who perceive the Orange Order as a predominantly anti-Catholic organisation “rather than view it as a benign, charitable, Christian and cultural institution which merely opposes doctrinal aspects of the Roman Catholic Church”.
Loyal to the Core? is published by the Irish Academic Press and is available from booksellers priced £14.99.
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Tuesday 29 May 2012
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