Anti-sectarian RME activities for secondary schools
Activity 7: Reading and Researching Football and Sectarianism
Working in small groups, research the history of the two football teams. Learners could do this by
visiting websites or libraries for information as well as drawing on their own knowledge of events.
Useful places to start:
www.celticfc.net
www.rangers.premiumtv.co.uk
www.scotsman.com
www.theherald.co.uk
Bill Murray: The Old Firm – Sectarianism, Sport and Society in Scotland
Bill Murray: Bhoys, Bears and Bigotry – The Old Firm in the New Age
Both Bill Murray books might be more suitable for teachers/facilitators to draw information from than
for young people to read. Both books can be borrowed from the Centre for Education for Racial
Equality in Scotland (CERES) tel: 0131 651 6274 or email ceres@ed.ac.uk.
In exploring the history of the development of both teams it is important to make the link with the
establishment of Celtic as supporting Irish Catholic settlement in Glasgow and link back in to any work
previously done on Irish immigration to Scotland. The notion of the Irish Catholic 'incomer' and the
suspicions that underpinned this notion helped to develop the Protestant identification with Rangers.
History and family identity have played an important part in allegiances in terms of football teams.
Roman Catholics and Protestants – Different yet the same
The research can be concluded with the similarities of the two sects: Protestant and Roman
Catholics. Both are Christians.
The sad thing about sectarianism between Protestants and Catholics is that they belong to the same
Christian faith.
They believe that:
•
•
•
•
•
Jesus is the Son of God
Jesus had a virgin birth
Jesus was crucified
Jesus rose again from the dead
Jesus is their saviour.
Both denominations share common Christian values:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Love
Compassion
Forgiveness
Reconciliation
Justice
Equality.
Both are heavily involved in the Scottish Ecumenical movements and within Action for Churches
Together in Scotland (ACTS), which addresses many social issues such as racism.
Anti-sectarian RME activities for secondary schools
Why does sectarianism continue?
Sometimes it is because difference is misunderstood and seen as division.
For example, the Protestant and Catholic churches have some slightly different interpretations.
Roman Catholics believe that his Holiness the Pope is the visible head of the Church and he speaks
on behalf of God. However, Protestants believe Christ is the only head of the church. Roman
Catholics believe that when they are given the bread at communion it changes – in a spiritual way –
into the body of Jesus. However, Protestants view the bread as symbolic of the body of Jesus.
These differences in belief should not lead to sectarianism.