Taoiseach disavows secular state and won’t take the next step towards a shared society

ONE of Fianna Fáil’s Next Steps is to “tackle the evil of sectarianism which threatens the shared society we seek to achieve on this island”.

Sectarianism is giving privileges to a particular religion while discriminating against other religions. The opposite is secularism which is opposed to any religion having privileges or being discriminated against.

Recently the Taoiseach told the Dáil that “my personal view is that I do not like, agree with or support the secular State“.

If you are against a secular State, then you must be in favour of a sectarian State.

He later said that aggressive secularists are “people who tend to make contributions that denigrate the role of churches in modern-day society.”

Is it denigrating to ask why schools and hospitals can discriminate on the grounds of religion?

Is it denigrating to want the removal of the constitutional prohibition on a non-believer becoming the President or a judge?

Is it denigrating to ask RTÉ to stop playing the Angelus? Is it denigrating to question why the Irish taxpayer has to pay compensation for the Catholic Church’s child molesters while it keeps its fabulous wealth?

Is it denigrating to hope for a “shared society” where everyone can participate as full, active citizens irrespective of their religious belief or non-belief?

Since Mr Ahern is not prepared to take this Next Step, perhaps aggressive and non-aggressive secularists should help Fianna Fáil “tackle the evil of sectarianism which threatens the shared society we seek to achieve on this island” by giving Mr Ahern and his ilk their P45s on May 24.

Jason Fitzharris

Rivervalley

Swords

Co Dublin