
Church of Com Cille in Ireland as it remains today.
The results of a recent religious knowledge survey conducted in Northern Ireland were released during this past year. (“Survey of Religious Knowledge in Northern Ireland” The Evangelical Alliance in Northern Ireland and the Iona Institute). This survey was a follow up to a similar poll carried out in the Republic of Ireland, both revealing low levels of basic religious knowledge in the population. The results make for sober reading. For example, in Northern Ireland, nearly two out of every three Protestants were unable to say how many gospels there are. There was also evidence of considerable difference between the generations, indicating that the Christian faith is continuing to play a less significant part in the lives of young people. As one commentator observed:
“…this poll again shows that the notion of Ireland, both North and South, being a Christian culture is becoming a thing of the past. The notion that Christianity can be transmitted through the culture from one generation to the next is clearly no longer valid. These findings present a challenge to all those who believe that the message of Jesus Christ needs to be heard in Irish society. Communicating that message is not primarily the job of schools or state institutions; it is the job of those who still believe the message.”
Sean Mullan.
EA Ireland
A group of five individuals from the SF Bay area journeyed to the Northwest of Ireland in July 2007.
We availed ourselves of the opportunity to speak to and learn from the Irish people of County Donegal for a period of two weeks. We learned of the heritage, the religion, the culture and the changes taking place in their land of Ireland, their hearts and their lives.
Music plays a large part in the communities we visited. One Wednesday evening, we had the opportunity to sing and play along with the locals at a favorite cafe. We played two familiar songs. One was Amazing Grace and the other was I'll Fly Away. When we had finished singing, we were asked if we knew any "pagan" songs. As it turned out, we were able to play a song that was quite familiar to our hosts.
We had opportunity to sing along with Ireland in the coffee house/cafe one evening. Notice out the back window how bright the sun shines at 9:00 p. m. in July in this country.