items of interest

with contributions from Anne Caldwallader, Robert Giannini, Lynn Garrett, Ed Frauenheim, Karin Miller

"Figures produced in a University of Ulster report show that in 1989, only six percent of couples [in Northern Ireland] were of mixed denomination. The figures for 2000 show that 11 percent of couples are either in mixed marriages or consider themselves to be of 'no religion' at all.

"This figure may actually be higher, experts say, taking into account those couples who live together without marrying, to avoid family, church, or community displeasure.

"It is a small increase—but a significant one, bucking the general trend here toward increasing sectarian polarization in housing, employment, education, and nearly every other sphere. . . .

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