Irish Thought for September 25...

A Wee Bit O' Irish History

1704

The Penal Code was enacted, which barred Catholics from voting, education, and the military.

Even though Catholicism was accepted throughout the world at this time in history, the British had their own religion, the Anglican Church.  The British thought that everyone whom the British ruled should follow the same rules as the British do.  This thought boiled down even to religion.  The true irony is the silly pretenses under which this religion was started, even though many of the principles are well philosophised for the new religion.  The Anglican Church was put into place in Britain when King Henry VIII wanted to get rid of one wife so he could marry another (this guy was famous for having too many wives - some men are so fickle).  The Pope wouldn't sanction that move, so the King put a new religion into effect in Britain so he wouldn't need the Pope's okay.  So, despite the validity of the religion, it was a silly beginning.  And a silly beginning made the fight against other religions all the more silly and sad.