Bill McMurdo - Kafflicks And Proddies

[ian1964 10,455]

Iâ??m still struggling to get my head round what Celtic-minded is all about.

 

Of course, I had the not unexpected help of Celtic-minded posters on the blog to correct my views after yesterdayâ??s piece.

 

One commenter told me that �to be Celtic-minded is to respect all walks of life in an anti imperialist world which ties us to left wing politics and with a socialist stem.�

 

This would have come as a big shock to my many true-blue, Tory-voting, right-wing friends who support Celtic.

 

And this is the problem with Celtic-mindedness.

 

Celtic-minded is, according to former owner Fergus McCann, just a synonym for Catholic bigot.

 

I would like to edit Mr McCannâ??s famous quote to kafflick bigot.

 

What is a â??kafflick?â?

 

A kafflick, according to Celtic fans who understand what I am trying to say here on this blog, is the equivalent of a proddy. I have heard from a few Celtic fans that what they call kafflicks are just mindless haters â?? not real Catholics â?? who soil and pollute the name of their club, as well as society in general.

 

Of course, â??proddiesâ? are not real Protestants but, like their kafflick counterparts, are just mindless haters.

 

The bitter divide that separates Rangers and Celtic fans along religious lines is not a theological difference of opinion between devout Bible-reading Protestants and fervent sacramental Catholics.

 

It is just a war of hate between dumb kafflicks and dumb proddies.

 

Now a lot of Celtic fans wonâ??t like me saying this and neither will many Rangers fans.

 

But sensible supporters on both sides know itâ??s true.

 

Tarring the other side with abuse for things real and imagined just perpetuates this phoney war.

 

Do I believe there is a war between the Roman Catholic religion and Protestantism? Yes, I do. However, the rift between Rangers and Celtic supporters is not based on doctrinal differences but on cultural conditioning.

 

Now the opinion of many Rangers fans â?? that there is an orchestrated campaign by the Roman Catholic church to eradicate Protestantism in Scotland and bring in â??Rome ruleâ? - may have more than a ring of truth to it.

 

And Celtic fans being pawns in this campaign may also be the case.

 

But Celtic fans are big and ugly enough (just a joke) to work out for themselves whether or not they want to be used as foot soldiers in an ancient religious conflict or be part of a 21st century society where respect is shown to all.

 

Many Celtic fans are rejecting the old ways of bitterness and narrow-mindedness to embrace a more open and free society.

 

They donâ??t want to be kafflicks and just hate for no reason.

 

Itâ??s time some proddies did the same.

 

I am not advocating ecumenism here, nor am I saying people should abandon what they believe to go and hug your enemy.

 

But thatâ??s just the point. People need to ask: â??What do I believe and why is my enemy my enemy?â?

 

The greatest danger to face this nation for centuries is the threat to its breakup by Scottish separatists.

 

Most Rangers fans oppose the SNPâ??s drive for independence from the Union.

 

But curiously, so do very many Celtic fans , whose political allegiance is for Unionist parties â?? including the Conservative Party.

 

As someone involved in the campaign to maintain the Union, I find myself working shoulder-to-shoulder with fervent Celtic fans.

 

For once, there is a very real commonality between Rangers and Celtic fans against a very real threat. Of course, there is a core of republicanism in the Celtic support. And thatâ??s why they have been so vocal in recent times â?? to attempt to negate the Unionist majority who follow Celtic.

 

Scotland is hurtling toward a devastating Referendum which, regardless of whoever â??wins it, will split the country in two.

 

Itâ??s already happening.

 

How ironic that a coalition of Rangers and Celtic fans could send a massive message that Union, not separation, is the way forward for Scotland.

 

Some might ask why I am bringing politics into football. The answer is, I am not. I am just being honest about the politicising of football that has already taken place, including the attempt to nullify Rangers FC as a touchstone for Unionist thought and allegiance.

 

I have never had any problem with Celtic celebrating their Irish roots and connections. But I do have a problem with certain people turning Parkhead into an IRA theme park.

 

Thousands of Celtic fans feel the same, even if they are too intimidated to speak out much about it.

 

In my own humble opinion, I feel both Rangers and Celtic need to celebrate their Scottishness and Britishness much more.

 

Also, I believe it is vital that both sets of fans stop allowing themselves to be pawns in a war which only perpetuates the rift between them, allowing a common enemy to exploit the situation.

 

Itâ??s time to bin kafflick-mindedness and proddy-mindedness.

 

For the good of the game and the future of Scotland.

 

FINALLYâ?¦

 

It appears a lot of bluenoses are making a bigger deal than I intended of the story about David Murray turning down the chance to replay the Champions League Final in 1993.

 

This was quite a while ago now but I remember at the time it was never actually confirmed. In my own defence, I didnâ??t say the story was 100% true â?? the use of the word â??ifâ? is a clue. Itâ??s a wee word with massive meaning.

 

It was the point of the story I was trying to get across â?? that Rangers donâ??t need concessions or second chances.

 

Hope that clears it up.

 

http://billmcmurdo.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/kafflicks-and-proddies/

[Darthter 542]

Right, enough of this....its getting ridiculous now!!!

 

We have now had several articles from this "author", and all have been well balanced and well written - what is Scottish journalism/blogging turning into???

At this rate, he'll never get a job in mainstream media!!! and they say Templeton has a lack of ambition!!!

 

[andy steel 0]

"well balanced"?

 

Don't tell me you believe there is a Roman conspiracy as well?

[Darthter 542]

Don't tell me you believe there is a Roman conspiracy as well?

 

It's got to originate from somewhere....may as well start @ the top!!!

[Max Rebo's Big Blue Nose 0]

Interesting read. To be honest I don't know any actual Protestants who are Rangers fans. Most of the guys I know who are fellow Gers fans are all agnostic or athiests

 

Maybe time for a AC Grayling Loyal?

[BlueMazza 0]

I never really knew the voting habits of Celtic...tories? REALLY? I didn't think they'd stoop THAT low

 

I think the description is probably fair, but I'm agnostic anyway and tend to shy away from it all. I DO have issues with the Catholic church and how it is run, their beliefs etc. But then I can pull out issues with most religions.

[Bluedell 5,356]

"well balanced"?

 

Don't tell me you believe there is a Roman conspiracy as well?

 

He didn't say there was. He only said that many Rangers fans do, which is 100% correct.

[DUDE 0]

I never really knew the voting habits of Celtic...tories? REALLY? I didn't think they'd stoop THAT low

 

I think the description is probably fair, but I'm agnostic anyway and tend to shy away from it all. I DO have issues with the Catholic church and how it is run, their beliefs etc. But then I can pull out issues with most religions.

 

Same for me, I'm agnostic and I can truthfully claim to disagree with Catholicism and Protestantism in equal shares. Just as much as I disagree with the notion of confession and supporting a football club having any connection whatsoever.

[Bluedell 5,356]

Interesting read. To be honest I don't know any actual Protestants who are Rangers fans.

 

You don't? I know loads, and I'd like to include myself in that.

[Max Rebo's Big Blue Nose 0]

You don't? I know loads, and I'd like to include myself in that.

 

Suppose it depends how you define a Protestant? I tend to think of a real Protestant as one that is the practicing Christain kind as opposed to the part time wedding/funerals/christenings kind. If it's the former, then I don't know any Gers fans like that