Irish schoolchildren brutalised in the name of religion

[trotsky]

Note: I have posted this in the Religion group because the Statement of Purpose of this group is to "Discuss religious and theological issues."

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/irish-schoolchildren-brutalised-in-the-name-of-religion-1.3840227

...Mass over, we dallied with our friends and eventually reached home. To my horror my father was waiting. We had brought disgrace to the family. He had been seated near the front and was mortified. Three whacks of his belt on each hand was my punishment despite my protests of innocence.

The next day at school I had to march before the Shepherd. Once again my protests went unheeded and three whacks of his crook on each hand left me experiencing what Irish schoolhouse abuse felt like. I had disgraced the school and its teachers. A year later the Shepherd’s assistant for second and third classes brought the physical abuse to a frightening level for me and my classmates.

Looking back now to those days, and that place brings a great awareness to me how religious righteousness breeds in people the ability to exact horrendous deeds in the name of a God. School and Catholicism interwoven like the coloured threads on a piece of embroidery. Catechism, Mass, confessions, Communion, benediction, devotions, sodalities, nine Fridays, fasting, the one true church, the chosen people heaven awaiting. Our protestant neighbours we firmly believed doomed to eternal damnation.

We have come a long way and it took a long time, but thanks be to enlightenment.