Most Scots have had enough of sectarianism, it seems.
A new poll suggests nearly three in four would like to see Orange and Irish Republican-themed parades banned. Of course, this means that more than one in four would oppose such a ban and, as Ian Wilson, former grand master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, puts it: "When you live in a democratic society, you are expected to tolerate other people's foibles."
In a free society, individuals have the right to celebrate their culture, religion and history, provided they do so in a way that is not deliberately offensive and provocative to others. It is that very proviso that is the impetus behind the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Act, which comes into force on March 1.
If sectarianism stains Scottish society as a whole, it is the potentially toxic combination with alcohol and football that has proved so intractable. For publicans it is a two-edged sword. For those pubs close to the ground or showing the match on large television screens, big match days represent a welcome pay day in these straitened times but also the potential for trouble when rivalry spills over into unacceptably offensive and potentially violent behaviour. This dilemma is not restricted to Glasgow. Often it is the hard core of committed supporters travelling to away fixtures who overstep the mark. Where to draw the line between passionate support and offensive behaviour?
The new legislation lacks clarity. So while some publicans welcome the legislation, and the publicity it had given to the unacceptability of sectarian chanting and singing, there remains a great deal of confusion about what is or is not acceptable. And, as The Herald reports today, the Scottish Beer and Pub Association has written to Community Safety Minister Roseanna Cunningham asking for guidance. If publicans are unclear as to precisely what behaviour constitutes an offence, they risk losing their licences and with it their livelihoods. It also creates potential for conflict between staff and customers. This is an invidious situation.
If the Scottish Government cannot provide concrete examples of what constitutes offensive behaviour, it is difficult to see how this legislation adds to what is already on the statute book.
The current focus on the financial woes of Rangers FC should not distract us from the longer term issue of the ugly face of sectarianism that continues to mar "the beautiful game".
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