Berkley Center

I have to admit, after three months in Ireland I thought I would be done making generalizations about the Irish people. I really thought that once I became ingrained into a city like Dublin, I would see all of the standard Irish-Catholic stereotypes fall apart. I thought I would meet hard-core atheists, super-conservative Catholic zealots, and everyone in between.

Well, I was half-right. I'’ve met a lot of ‘in-betweens’. According to the latest census, nearly 90 percent of people in the Republic of Ireland are baptized Catholics. You meet someone and you can assume one of three things: 1. She is a Catholic; 2. Her family is Catholic; 3. The last time she went to church was at a Catholic Mass. If none of the above are correct, chances are she is not from Ireland. Catholicism is just that prevalent. It is as much part of the Irish identity as funny accents, drinking Guinness, or hating the British. (Strangely enough, though, I’'ve met more Irish people who dislike Guinness or who are actually fond of the British than people who don'’t identify themselves as ‘Catholic,’… and most of them are from Australia).

During the long struggle for independence, religion played a key role in what defined the Irish identity against their British oppressors. An Irishmen could say, “"I am Catholic, they are not. This government does not represent me or my interests.”" Religion was used to unite Ireland in a time when people felt greater loyalty to their county than their country, helping them to stand strong and win their independence. One hundred years later, the Catholic religion is still interwoven into that identity. Thus, religion in Ireland is indicative of a shared past and identity that unites the culture.

However, the homogeneity of religion has created a people who no longer have to fight passionately for their religion or who are challenged by it. As a result, religion seems to play a customary role in the life of a Dubliner, rather than a defining one. This would seem to account for all these ‘in between’ types I keep meeting: self-identifying Catholics whose lewd behavior doesn'’t seem to coincide with conservative religious practices. The fact that ‘everyone’ is Catholic and no one challenges Catholicism in Ireland means that religion doesn’'t have to be a part of their daily lives. As a result, it isn’'t, and it shows when you walk the streets of Dublin after 9 p.m. The religious homogeneity in Ireland only makes me appreciate the multiculturalism in the United States all the more. Sure, it would be great if everyone had a similar background to me and could understand all of my traditions and beliefs. However, if no one asked me to explain myself or challenge my thoughts or beliefs, any passion I had for them would be entirely lost.

I think one of Georgetown’'s greatest achievements is that it embraces diversity and demonstrates how diversity can educate others as well as strengthen our own convictions. This is a lesson that the Irish unfortunately miss by the lack of intrinsic diversity in their shores. Thus, the immigration to Ireland and the flood of foreigners in the streets of Dublin may be one of the best things that has ever happened to Ireland. Not only does it mean the city can continue to reap the perks of capitalism, but it also means that the citizenry of Ireland can join the global discussion about faith, politics, and tradition. Only this sort of dialogue can end apathy towards religion and politics, challenge beliefs, and help an individual to grow in her faith, whatever that may be. Cheers!