There have been three consecutive nights of rioting in Northern Ireland, mostly in and around our two largest cities – Belfast and Derry/Londonderry. Do you notice I have given the latter city two names? That’s because I don’t want to offend people from either the unionist or nationalist communities. It would take me several blogs to explain the reasons for this. Let’s just say it’s complicated.
Most of those who are involved are probably too young to recall why they are rioting while the orchestrators lurk in the shadows, pulling the strings and avoiding the spotlight. There have been multiple arrests and dozens of police officers injured. It’s a return to the bad old days. The large majority of the population don’t want to return to those days but a nasty, noisy minority seem determined to drag us back there, kicking and screaming.
Our political leaders do nothing but add fuel to the fires, blaming each other for the unrest but doing very little to resolve the situation. They tend to go AWOL at times like this when we need them most. It’s little wonder that Northern Ireland is coming out of lockdown slowest of all the countries in the United Kingdom. People are becoming angrier but will this sway them from their traditional tribal bonds when the next elections come around?
It’s difficult to be positive when the world is such a negative place at present, and my particular corner of it is no exception. I awake and watch the news, burning vehicles and petrol bombs flying through the air. Sometimes I think the whole world is burning as we helplessly stand by and watch. Is this what Hell looks like, a premonition of what lies ahead? Or are we already there, judged and condemned, never to escape?
Black Thoughts 
I really hope it’s not a return to the old days. I mean this is just the tip of the iceberg, we also have the whole ‘United Ireland’ debate to go through and that is going to cause holy hell up the north. All I can say is stay safe up there and we can hope that it’s not going to go backwards, especially after almost 25 years of relative peace.
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Thank you very much, Damien. Let’s hope so.
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I’m quite shocked to read about the rioting. It certainly does remind me of those bad old days. But, as all sensible people know, hatred and violence is not the answer.
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Most definitely. Let’s hope common sense prevails.
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I am not shocked to read about it. I am upset. As I see Europe does not have a solution. They wanted to profit from these people. Europe and that Theresa May.
Some people do not notice, others profit from their violence.
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Living close to the border, with many relatives north of it, I am beyond upset. What is it about the feast of Jesus’ resurrection that gets Irish people riled up to riot?! The old wounds never completed healed. Thinking of Lyra’s murder a few years back on a Good Friday. I hope that voters do vote for peace and not old tribal ties.
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I’m really sorry, and sad to read this post. It reminds me of the climate here in the United States. It saddens me to think of a world like this. Perhaps these are the days 💙
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Thank you for your understanding.
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I have been in Belfast with friends and narrowly missed a shooting. Joy riders. Could never go back to date. We hopped on back to Limavady and stuck to Coleraine mostly for any fun. This just brings back some of the fear and worry. I sure hope they don’t let things linger too long.
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That must have been very frightening for you. I hope it didn’t ruin your visit. Thank you for your kind words
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Northern Ireland is like a home to me still. My younger self did a lot of growing up there. I grew up Catholic so when I arrived with a Rosary on my neck and was told to take it off it took a while to get all the issues to sink in. I’ve been back a few times but never to Belfast. Who knows, with a staycation in place I might just bring the family up. Hopefully it’ll be trouble free. You stay safe.
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I grew up in Scotland during the troubles in Ireland and visited Belfast once during that time. I hope you never return to those days. Heartbreaking.
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Let’s hope not. Thank you.
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I’m heartbroken by your news. Please stay safe through this mess. I grew up watching the news of conflict in Northern Ireland. Violence only begats violence. I pray for peace and care for your family and for your community. I don’t know what constitutes “hell” but constant chaos and violence is an awful example of the man-made hell we create.
Have you ever read C.S. Lewis’, The Great Divorce? His idea of heaven and hell are worth thinking about…
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Hell is a literal fiery place for the devil, his angels and those who reject God. It may seem like we are living through it, but what I believe we are seeing are the birth-pangs of what the tribulation period will look like. Read 2 Timothy ch 3. I sure see a lot of the same as what the Bible has listed. Matthew 24:37-39 Jesus said as the days of Noah were, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be. If you look up what were the days of Noah like in the Bible, we see in Genesis 6:5 “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”
Now more than ever before, people need to be ready for the Lord’s appearing. He has given us all of the warnings that we need in His holy word, the Bible. It is time that we heed the word of God. Seek Him while He may be found. No-one knows the exact hour of His coming. The Bible says so. What we do know are the signs.
May the Lord bless you and draw you ever so close to His side.
May we all have peace, true peace, the peace that is only found in Jesus Christ alone.
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Stephen, I’m very sad to learn about the return to violence. I look forward to reading your posts on this matter.
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Thank you Eric. Hopefully it will calm down soon.
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So very sad. Hoping for more peaceful days soon.
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Thank you 😊
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Hell is here on earth for sure.
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I am so sorry this is flaring up again. We have had our share of violence but not in one area. (with the exception of the attack on the capitol). It is so sad to see people inciting others to this behavior.
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It is indeed. Thank you for your kind words 🙏🏻
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This is indeed bad news. There’s been peace for so long.
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Hopefully it is short-lived. Thank you for reading.
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I am so sorry this is happening around you. I know you know this but this is not Hell, it is inspired by those who will dwell there though. I am praying for you and the area around you tonight.
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Thank you Joseph.
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I know how you feel. I have been close to depression and despair here in the United States. The bad ole days seem to have returned everywhere. And it certainly feels like hell. Why the hell can’t humans unite?
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I have no idea, Tony. Stay safe 😊
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Stay safe.
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Thank you. You too 😊
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Praying for peace….
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Thank you 😊
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I’m so sorry this is happening to your country. Please be safe and keep your precious family safe. You are all precious to me even though we’ve never met in person!!
I was just saying toy husband last night that I felt like we are living in some kind of alternate reality where it’s kind of like the world I knew but with a slightly psychotic twist.
Sending love and hugs to you your family and prayers for your leaders
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Thank you very much. We certainly live in interesting times.
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I sincerely hope things improve in your neck of the woods. Every day I am thankful for where I live and pray for peace and pragmatic action to emanate from many more places around the world.
Thank you for sharing more honest thoughts about the way of things where you are, and for continuing to write your stories in all the places you do.
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