Ah you're a Catholic!

I also find it interesting that you think people associate Spain or Italy with Catholicism. This would only be relevant to someone who came from a Reformation-influenced cultural tradition.

Catholicism is utterly woven in to Italian culture, and Spanish (post Franco thst changed a lot.) Still, my Spanish family would definitely associate many parts of Spain with strong Catholicism.
I don’t think it’s that weird to vaguely assume most Irish people are culturally Catholic although I’d never point them to a church!

I think it’s understandable to make some mental shortcuts, human nature. If I met someone who lived in Switzerland I might assume they were good at skiing. Or if I met someone from Iran I might inwardly assume they were Muslim. What I wouldn’t do is randomly blurt out ‘you’re Muslim’ or signpost them to the nearest mosque.

But yeah the people you’ve met sound a bit dense, like their only knowledge of Ireland has come from watching Father Ted combined with a bad case of verbal incontinence. Can you say which particular backwater you’ve ended up in?

I’m surprised that so many English people have said “You are a Catholic”. It’s very unusual for us to use assertive language like that. It would be far more common get “Ah you’re Irish? Are you a Catholic?” in which case they’re asking a question, which isn’t an unreasonable one given that 69% of people from ROI identify as RC.

Sorry for you.

Well I wouldn't make an assumption, I was trying to understand the reason for the OP's colleague doing it but it depends on their tone etc. I suppose.

I didn't quote you, I summarised as you were highlighting the massive influence the CofE has and I don't think they do. But to be fair perhaps you live in a religious area

Well it was me that named your behaviour as contrarian because it is. You live in the U.S. for goodness sake I actually live here and know the culture I am living in, it certainly isn't as you describe and I am arguing this because it's ridiculous to state these lazy generalisations that you have probably read about in the sensationlist newspapers along with all of the UK is a no go zone due to crime. I was answering a question in the OP but then it got on to heavier topics. However, I hope you OP continue to stand up for what is right and put them straight on the racism.

It would be strange because only around 6% of the population identify as Muslim. The ‘default’ religion in England is CofE. I suppose it would be the equivalent of me going to Ireland and the Irish there assuming I would be CofE. But I was actually raised catholic.

Other than the woman at work who I suppose was trying to be helpful by mentioning the church, I think it’s really strange that people are just blurting out ‘you’re catholic’ it’s so random. What’s your take on it OP? Were they trying to cause offence? Take a dig at Catholicism? Clumsily start a conversation? The tone is important. I don’t think I would take offense at having my religion assumed as long as the intentions were innocent.

This is literally you stating the influence of the church in England.

And why are you posting at 3am GMT?

There is no need whatsoever to make up nonsense about me.

I am Irish and live in the US. I have lived in the UK, not in the 60s or 70s, but later. I have friends and relatives who are Irish who currently live in the UK.

You are yet again denying lived experience, and I am once again asking why, and why you keep on doing it?

Why are you so invested in your contrary narrative here?

My brothers ex girlfriend was Russian

she would get a lot of (before war)

ah so you’re a spy!
I bet you’re kgb!
You like putin?
Do you drink vodka every day?”
“I hear Russians can handle so much alcohol!”
Do you ride bears to work in Siberia?
”are you a communist” /You must miss the good old Soviet times.”
“Life must have been simpler under communism.”

what are you like a commie? (when she was travelling in America)

people are weird

You haven't read the posts mentioning the CoE very carefully, if that's what you think was posted.

I'm not sowing (or 'sewing') division.

I'm asking you (1) why you can't understand what stereotyping consists of, (2) why stereotyping is a problem, and (3) why you can't understand that the blithe assumption that an Irish person is a Catholic is a serious case of stereotyping.

I always got the impression you were American but you must be quite a bit older than me as the many parts of the UK you know and have lived in sound like they were existences of the 1960s? 70s?

It is quite telling that you assume certain things about me presumably as you are referencing your own sheltered upbringing.

I'm not invested. This is a chat forum I am offering an opinion, not a hidden agenda. You on the other hand love your sewing of division.

I think it's very common to live in a segregated / separate/ isolated community in the UK. There are large swathes of urban and rural areas whose residents only encounter people of different ethnicities when they use NHS services.

I have a suspicion that you personally have never had the experience of life as a member of a majority minority community, but it's always a good idea to remember that there is a difference between you and other people.

I didn't deny it happened, I posted it was shocked that it happened, that people had a clue about any of the history still as the reality is that they don't- that's a fact not a moral position.

People including the OP have mentioned the CofE again and again, including made up bollox that is not baked up at all with stats that the British attend churches frequently and that CofE have a tie with all baby groups up and down the country. It was very much at the forefront of the OP's mind and Britishness did you not read those posts.

I have to say you love playing the contrarian, to what end I don't know. I really don't have a fucking clue what you are on about, why so much angst and division sewing. You need to look at why you like doing that.

You are pooh poohing the lived experiences of other people.

Why?

And why so invested?

They experienced what they experienced but being existing in a segregated community is not something that is common place in many parts of the UK. I don't think the UK is anything like the U.S. But it will be if we keep sowing the kind of division you have with this thread.