Religion will always make a difference to the way people in Northern Ireland feel about each other, according to the majority of 16-year-olds who took part in a recent survey.
The survey was carried out by Young Life and Times, and it asked 16-year-olds from a broad range of backgrounds throughout Northern Ireland about their views on politics, sectarianism and other social issues.
The young people surveyed recognised the tensions between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland. When asked "Do you think most people in Northern Ireland would mind or not mind if one of their close relatives were to marry someone of a different religion?" 73% said either "Most people would mind a lot" or "Most people would mind a little."
Interestingly, when the respondents were asked if they personally would mind if one of their close relatives were to marry someone of a different religion, 67% gave the response that they would not mind.
However, the 16-year-olds that took part in the survey don't believe that we will ever live without some degree of tension between Catholics and Protestants. When asked "do you think that religion will always make a difference to the way people feel about each other in Northern Ireland?" a huge 86% of respondents answered "yes."
What do you think? Do you believe that religion will always have an effect on the way people here feel about each other? Why not post your views on the Message Board?
Check out the full results of Young Life and Times' Survey at www.ark.ac.uk/ylt
