Why do NI unionists hate the Republic of Ireland state?

Three words...ignorance and fear.

Some NI Unionists live constant fear that they will be abandoned by the UK government (the very people that put them there in the first place).

They are also resistant to change like all other Bible bashing communities throughout the world ...their ignorance breeds fear and suspicion.

The similarities between the deep South in the US and the NI Unionist communities is startling!

They also fear that when a united Ireland comes, that they will be subjected to the same intolerance and bigotry that they forced on Catholics. They also realise that nobody cares about them as they are generally a horrible bunch of God fearing people.

Those people you met in London I just feel sorry for them. Did they offer you any explantion as to why they would not visit the South? Why did you not ask them. That makes them look even worse.

Ireland would be a much happier place if the NI Unionists went back to where they came from in the first place if they love the UK so much.

The leaders are the problem. The leaders fuel hate, which maintains the border while, on the other hand, Nationalism is on the rise.

Until they integrate with the other side of the community, the border is the edge of the map but, when the finally do mix, they find out that it's not so bad. Give it time.

Remember, since unionists were once treated with a privileged status, the fact that they may/will become a minority, however significant, is a severe threat. It's sad that it's seen that way but there ye go.

Although an English Protestant myself and having lived and worked in both parts of Ireland over the years I've come to the conclusion that it's an inbuilt hate of the Catholic religion forced upon the Unionists by their Bible thumping religious leaders. Of course there's always the persistent drumming in of the history of what happened in Londonderry over 300 years ago, but it's about time that all that is put in the past and forgiven

Just 60 years ago several of my close friends were killed by Nazi bombing, I remember well all those empty desks at school on the following mornings, but all that is now forgiven and I look upon the German Nation and its people as a friends.

With the current in-decisions within the Church of England I'm even thinking that the Catholic religion may be a safer haven for those who wish to retain higher moral standards.

Partially the result of which version of history was taught in schools, I think history of the north and south be taught in ALL schools.

The majority of 'hardliners' have no idea of their own history. While I have many Catholic friends and also family members I have no time for the religion and I am surprised in this day and age there are people who will defend the faith despite the fact it has been proven to have started more for the accumulation of wealth and power than for spreading the true gospel.

Catholics & Protestants can live together in areas of the world which some might consider 'not civilised' so why not in N.I.? I am convinced that one day Ireland will be united! To make this easier for the people in N.I.to understand I suggest that this question be on the card for the next referendum. A referendum costs so if there is going to be one it should cover as MANY points regarding the public as possible and not simply 'Should the voting system be changed'! I think England should give a deadline for setting N.I. totally independent and let them sort it out for themselves!

You must be very young not to undestand the residual fear and hatred left behind by decades of Roman Catholic Imperialism.

When I was last in Ireland as a young Englishman a recieved a hostile reception by half the people I met. The young were always welcoming, but the some of the older generation would neither speak or do business with me.

It will take a long time for things to cool off in Ireland, but I am sure that now the Roman church has lost it's dominance, things will continue to improve. My impression is that everyone would like Ireland to be united one day, but the people of the North won't be ready until they are utterly convinced of the South's new liberalism.

In some areas people may not feel safe fraternising across the sectarian divide for fear of reprisals from people on their own side. Try and be patient with everyone, because you have no idea what difficulties they might have in their lives.

Education, time, secularism will eventually erode pretty much all of the differences on the Island of Ireland.