Difference between revisions of "Ian Paisley" - New World Encyclopedia

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[[image:Ian Paisley - (cropped).png|thumb|Ian Paisley.]]
 
[[image:Ian Paisley - (cropped).png|thumb|Ian Paisley.]]
  
'''Ian Richard Kyle Paisley''' (born [[6 April]] [[1926]]), styled '''The Revd. and Rt. Hon. Ian Paisley''' and also known as '''Dr Ian Paisley''', is the [[First Minister and deputy First Minister|First Minister]] of [[Northern Ireland]]. Paisley is a veteran [[politician]] and church leader in [[Northern Ireland]]. As the leader of the [[Democratic Unionist Party]] (DUP), the largest single grouping in the [[Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2007|2007 elections]] to the [[Northern Ireland Assembly]], he was elected First Minister with [[Sinn Féin]]'s [[Martin McGuinness]] as [[First Minister and deputy First Minister|deputy First Minister]] on [[8 May]] [[2007]].  
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'''Ian Richard Kyle Paisley''' (born 6 April 1926), styled '''The Revd. and Rt. Hon. Ian Paisley''' and also known as '''Dr Ian Paisley''', was the First Minister of [[Northern Ireland]] from May 8 2007 until June 5 2008. Paisley is a veteran [[politics|politician]] and church leader in Northern Ireland. As the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the largest single grouping in the [[Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2007|2007 elections]] to the Northern Ireland Assembly, he was elected First Minister with Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness as deputy First Minister on 8 May 2007. In  addition to his leadership of the DUP, he founded and is the past Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. Paisley has been Member of Parliament for the constituency of North Antrim since 1970, and is a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for the same constituency.  He was elected to the European Parliament in 1979.  
 
 
In  addition to his leadership of the DUP, he is a founding member and immediate past [[Moderator of the General Assembly|Moderator]] of the [[Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster]]. Paisley has been Member of Parliament for the constituency of [[North Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|North Antrim]] since 1970, and is a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for the same constituency.
 
  
In 2005, Paisley's political party became the largest [[Unionist (Ireland)|Unionist]] party in Northern Ireland, displacing his long-term rivals, the [[Ulster Unionist Party|Ulster Unionists]] (UUP), who had dominated Unionist politics in Northern Ireland since the partition of Ireland. Paisley is also an author, lecturer{{Fact|date=March 2008}} and speaker.
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In 2005, Paisley's political party became the largest Unionist party in Northern Ireland, displacing his long-term rivals, the Ulster Unionists (UUP), who had dominated Unionist politics in Northern Ireland since the [[Partition of Ireland]]. Paisley is also an author, lecturer and speaker.
  
On [[4 March]] [[2008]] he announced that he will step down as First Minister and leader of the DUP after the [[US-Northern Ireland Investment Conference]] in May 2008.<ref name="BBC-quit">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7277886.stm |title=Paisley to quit as first minister |date=[[4 March]] [[2008]] |work=BBC News online}}</ref>
 
  
 
==Personal life==
 
==Personal life==
Ian Paisley was born in [[Armagh]], [[County Armagh]] and brought up in the town of [[Ballymena]], [[County Antrim]], where his father James Kyle Paisley was an [[Independent Baptist]] pastor. The senior Paisley had served in the [[Ulster Volunteers]] under [[Edward Carson]]. <ref>Downing, Taylor; ''The Troubles: The background to the question of Northern Ireland'', page 132, third printing; published by Thames Macdonald</ref>
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Ian Paisley was born in Armagh, County Armagh and brought up in the town of Ballymena, County Antrim, where his father James Kyle Paisley was an Independent [[Baptist]] pastor. The senior Paisley had served in the Ulster Volunteers under Edward Carson. <ref>Downing,page 132</ref>
  
 
They have five children, three daughters Sharon, [[Rhonda Paisley|Rhonda]] and Cherith and twin sons, Kyle and [[Ian Paisley Jr|Ian]]. Three of their children have followed their father into politics or religion: Kyle, into the church; Ian is a DUP assemblyman; and daughter Rhonda a retired DUP councillor and artist. He has a brother, Harold, who currently preaches the Gospel in the United States and Canada.
 
They have five children, three daughters Sharon, [[Rhonda Paisley|Rhonda]] and Cherith and twin sons, Kyle and [[Ian Paisley Jr|Ian]]. Three of their children have followed their father into politics or religion: Kyle, into the church; Ian is a DUP assemblyman; and daughter Rhonda a retired DUP councillor and artist. He has a brother, Harold, who currently preaches the Gospel in the United States and Canada.
  
Following rumours, it was confirmed in July 2004 that Paisley had been undergoing tests for an undisclosed illness and in 2005 [[Ian Paisley, Jr.]] confirmed that his father had been gravely ill. Ian Paisley confirmed in 2006 that he had made a full recovery.
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Following rumours, it was confirmed in July 2004 that Paisley had been undergoing tests for an undisclosed illness and in 2005 [[Ian Paisley, Jr.]] confirmed that his father had been gravely ill. Ian Paisley confirmed in 2006 that he had made a full recovery.
  
 
==Religious career==
 
==Religious career==
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===The Free Presbyterian Church===
 
===The Free Presbyterian Church===
In the early 1950s the local [[Presbyterian]] [[presbytery]] in [[Crossgar]], [[County Down]] revoked permission for Ian Paisley to use the local Lissara Presbyterian church for a Gospel Mission. In conjunction with the Lissara Kirk session Ian Paisley helped to establish the [[Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster]] at [[Crossgar]], [[County Down]]. Following a vote in his own church he joined the Free Presbyterian Church and was subsequently elected the second moderator of the new denomination. He held this post for several decades until he was succeeded in [[January 2008]] by [[Ron Johnstone|Rev. Ron Johnstone]]. His September 2007 announcement that he was standing down followed press reports of controversy in the Free Presbyterian Church over his political role as First Minister of Northern Ireland
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In the early 1950s the local [[Presbyterian]] [[presbytery]] in [[Crossgar]], [[County Down]] revoked permission for Ian Paisley to use the local Lissara Presbyterian church for a Gospel Mission. In conjunction with the Lissara Kirk session Ian Paisley helped to establish the [[Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster]] at Crossgar, County Down. Following a vote in his own church he joined the Free Presbyterian Church and was subsequently elected the second moderator of the new denomination. He held this post for several decades until he was succeeded in January 2008 by [[Ron Johnstone|Rev. Ron Johnstone]]. His September 2007 announcement that he was standing down followed press reports of controversy in the Free Presbyterian Church over his political role as First Minister of Northern Ireland
  
 
===Writings===  
 
===Writings===  
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===Religious views===
 
===Religious views===
Paisley promotes a highly conservative form of [[Biblical literalism]], which he describes as "Bible Protestantism". The website of Paisley's public relations arm, the European Institute of Protestant Studies (ianpaisley.org), describes the Institute's purpose as to "expound the Bible, expose the Papacy, and to promote, defend and maintain Bible Protestantism in Europe and further afield." Paisley's website describes a number of doctrinal areas in which he believes that the "Roman church" (which he termed ''Popery'') has deviated from the Bible and thus from true Christianity. These include the doctrine of [[transubstantiation]], which Paisley claims on his website has given rise to "revolting superstitions and idolatrous abuses", the veneration of saints and the [[Virgin Mary]] (excessive and not Biblically supported, in Paisley's view), and the institution of the Papacy, which Paisley believes has no biblical foundation. In 1988, when [[Pope John Paul II]] delivered a speech to the [[European Parliament]], Paisley shouted "I Denounce you as the [[AntiChrist]]!" and held up a red poster reading "Pope John Paul II ANTICHRIST" in black letters. John Paul continued with his address after Paisley was ejected from the auditorium by fellow MEPs.<ref>{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Susan|title=Paisley ejected for insulting Pope|publisher=[[The Times]]|date=[[1988-10-02]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Chrisafis|first=Angelique|title=The Return of Dr. No|publisher=[[The Guardian]]|date=[[2004-16-09]] [http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,2763,1305503,00.html]}}</ref><ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE7DC1630F935A25753C1A96E948260 "HEADLINERS; Papal Audience"], ''The New York Times'', 16 October 1988.</ref><ref>David McKittrick, [http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/ulster/article1826297.ece "An amazing conversion? The Big Man makes a long journey"], ''The Independent'', 10 October 2006.</ref>
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Paisley promotes a highly conservative form of [[Biblical literalism]], which he describes as "Bible Protestantism." The website of Paisley's public relations arm, the European Institute of Protestant Studies (ianpaisley.org), describes the Institute's purpose as to "expound the Bible, expose the Papacy, and to promote, defend and maintain Bible Protestantism in Europe and further afield." Paisley's website describes a number of doctrinal areas in which he believes that the "Roman church" (which he termed ''Popery'') has deviated from the Bible and thus from true Christianity. These include the doctrine of [[transubstantiation]], which Paisley claims on his website has given rise to "revolting superstitions and idolatrous abuses," the veneration of saints and the [[Virgin Mary]] (excessive and not Biblically supported, in Paisley's view), and the institution of the Papacy, which Paisley believes has no biblical foundation. In 1988, when [[Pope John Paul II]] delivered a speech to the [[European Parliament]], Paisley shouted "I Denounce you as the [[AntiChrist]]!" and held up a red poster reading "Pope John Paul II ANTICHRIST" in black letters. John Paul continued with his address after Paisley was ejected from the auditorium by fellow MEPs.<ref>{{cite news|last=MacDonald|first=Susan|title=Paisley ejected for insulting Pope|publisher=[[The Times]]|date=1988-10-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Chrisafis|first=Angelique|title=The Return of Dr. No|publisher=[[The Guardian]]|date=2004-16-09 [http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,2763,1305503,00.html]}}</ref><ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE7DC1630F935A25753C1A96E948260 "HEADLINERS; Papal Audience"], ''The New York Times'', 16 October 1988.</ref><ref>David McKittrick, [http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/ulster/article1826297.ece "An amazing conversion? The Big Man makes a long journey"], ''The Independent'', 10 October 2006.</ref>
 
{{main|Denunciation of Pope John Paul II by Ian Paisley}}  
 
{{main|Denunciation of Pope John Paul II by Ian Paisley}}  
  
He has claimed in an article that the seat no. 666 in the [[European Parliament]] is reserved for the Antichrist.<ref>[http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?ArtKey=666 EIPS — The Vacant Seat Number 666 in the European Parliament<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>
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He has claimed in an article that the seat no. 666 in the [[European Parliament]] is reserved for the Antichrist.<ref>[http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?ArtKey=666 EIPS—The Vacant Seat Number 666 in the European Parliament<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>
  
 
He and his organisation have publicly spoken out against what he views to be blasphemy in popular culture, including criticism of the stage productions ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]'' and ''[[Jerry Springer: The Opera]]''. On at least one issue, Paisley shares views with his Catholic counterparts: he opposes legal [[abortion]].
 
He and his organisation have publicly spoken out against what he views to be blasphemy in popular culture, including criticism of the stage productions ''[[Jesus Christ Superstar]]'' and ''[[Jerry Springer: The Opera]]''. On at least one issue, Paisley shares views with his Catholic counterparts: he opposes legal [[abortion]].
  
Though often at political odds with the [[Republic of Ireland]], he has some religious followers in the Republic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freepres.org/churchlist.asp?loc=world|title=Free Presbyterian Church — Church Information|accessdate=2007-05-10|publisher=[[Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster|Free Presbyterian Church]]}}</ref> It was specifically in his religious capacity that he first agreed to meet the [[Taoiseach]], [[Bertie Ahern]]. Paisley revised this stance in September 2004, when he agreed to meet Ahern in his political capacity as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. Known for a sense of humour, at an early meeting with Ahern at the Irish embassy in [[London]], Paisley requested breakfast and asked for boiled eggs; when Ahern asked him why he had wanted boiled eggs, Paisley quipped "it would be hard for you to poison them", much to Ahern's amusement.<ref>[http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?printerFriendly=true&ArtKey=ballymena EIPS — Dr Paisley Given The Freedom Of Ballymena<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>
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Though often at political odds with the [[Republic of Ireland]], he has some religious followers in the Republic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.freepres.org/churchlist.asp?loc=world|title=Free Presbyterian Church—Church Information|accessdate=2007-05-10|publisher=[[Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster|Free Presbyterian Church]]}}</ref> It was specifically in his religious capacity that he first agreed to meet the [[Taoiseach]], [[Bertie Ahern]]. Paisley revised this stance in September 2004, when he agreed to meet Ahern in his political capacity as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. Known for a sense of humour, at an early meeting with Ahern at the Irish embassy in [[London]], Paisley requested breakfast and asked for boiled eggs; when Ahern asked him why he had wanted boiled eggs, Paisley quipped "it would be hard for you to poison them," much to Ahern's amusement.<ref>[http://www.ianpaisley.org/article.asp?printerFriendly=true&ArtKey=ballymena EIPS—Dr Paisley Given The Freedom Of Ballymena<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>
  
 
Paisley, an ardent [[teetotaller]] all his life, has sometimes asked journalists and nationalist politicians "let me smell your breath" when they asked him tough questions, insinuating that they had taken on board some alcohol, or "devil's buttermilk" as he often puts it.
 
Paisley, an ardent [[teetotaller]] all his life, has sometimes asked journalists and nationalist politicians "let me smell your breath" when they asked him tough questions, insinuating that they had taken on board some alcohol, or "devil's buttermilk" as he often puts it.
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===Beginning a career of "No"===
 
===Beginning a career of "No"===
The majority of Paisley's political career was characterised by vehement opposition to accommodation of the aspirations and policies of the minority [[Irish nationalism|nationalist]] community in Northern Ireland. This first came to general public attention in the 1960s when he campaigned against [[Prime Minister of Northern Ireland]] [[Terence O'Neill]]'s ''rapprochement'' with the [[Republic of Ireland]] and his meetings with [[Taoiseach]] of the Republic, [[Seán Lemass]], a veteran of [[Easter Rising|Easter 1916]] and the [[Irish Republican Army (1922-1969)|anti-Treaty IRA]]. He opposed efforts by O'Neill to deliver civil rights to the nationalists, which included the abolition of [[gerrymander]]ing of local electoral areas for the election of urban and county councils. In 1964 his demand that the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary|police]] remove an [[Flag of Ireland|Irish Tricolour]] from [[Sinn Féin]]'s Belfast offices led to two days of rioting, after this was followed through (see [[Flags and Emblems Act]] &ndash; the public display of any symbol which could cause a breach of the peace was illegal until Westminster repealed the Flags Act in 1987).<ref>Statutory Instrument 1987 No. 463 (N.I. 7)  [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1987/Uksi_19870463_en_6.htm]</ref> Paisley's approach led him in turn to oppose O'Neill's successors as Prime Minister, Major [[James Chichester-Clark]] (later called Lord Moyola) and [[Brian Faulkner]].
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The majority of Paisley's political career was characterised by vehement opposition to accommodation of the aspirations and policies of the minority [[Irish nationalism|nationalist]] community in Northern Ireland. This first came to general public attention in the 1960s when he campaigned against [[Prime Minister of Northern Ireland]] [[Terence O'Neill]]'s ''rapprochement'' with the [[Republic of Ireland]] and his meetings with [[Taoiseach]] of the Republic, [[Seán Lemass]], a veteran of [[Easter Rising|Easter 1916]] and the [[Irish Republican Army (1922-1969)|anti-Treaty IRA]]. He opposed efforts by O'Neill to deliver civil rights to the nationalists, which included the abolition of [[gerrymander]]ing of local electoral areas for the election of urban and county councils. In 1964 his demand that the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary|police]] remove an [[Flag of Ireland|Irish Tricolour]] from [[Sinn Féin]]'s Belfast offices led to two days of rioting, after this was followed through (see [[Flags and Emblems Act]] &ndash; the public display of any symbol which could cause a breach of the peace was illegal until Westminster repealed the Flags Act in 1987).<ref>Statutory Instrument 1987 No. 463 (N.I. 7)  [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si1987/Uksi_19870463_en_6.htm]</ref> Paisley's approach led him in turn to oppose O'Neill's successors as Prime Minister, Major [[James Chichester-Clark]] (later called Lord Moyola) and [[Brian Faulkner]].
  
In 1969, he was jailed along with [[Ronald Bunting]] for organising an illegal counter-demonstration against a [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association]] march in [[Armagh]]. He was released during a general amnesty for people convicted of political offenses. <ref>PRISON SENTENCES ON PAISLEY AND BUNTING, The Times. [[28 January]] [[1969]] [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/court_and_social/the_hitch/article856629.ece]</ref>
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In 1969, he was jailed along with [[Ronald Bunting]] for organising an illegal counter-demonstration against a [[Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association]] march in [[Armagh]]. He was released during a general amnesty for people convicted of political offenses. <ref>PRISON SENTENCES ON PAISLEY AND BUNTING, The Times. 28 January 1969 [http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/court_and_social/the_hitch/article856629.ece]</ref>
  
 
===Electoral success and the DUP foundation===
 
===Electoral success and the DUP foundation===
 
In the [[United Kingdom general election, 1970|1970 UK general election]] Paisley was elected the [[member of Parliament]] (MP) for the [[North Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|North Antrim constituency]] which he has retained since then and is now the longest serving MP from Northern Ireland. The following year, 1971 Paisley and [[Desmond Boal]] established the most successful and longest lasting of his political movements, the [[Democratic Unionist Party]] (DUP) which replaced his Protestant Unionist Party. It soon won seats at local council, provincial, national and European level; Paisley was elected one of Northern Ireland's three [[Member of the European Parliament|Members of the European Parliament]] (MEPs) at the first elections to the Brussels and Strasbourg-based [[European Parliament]] in 1979, holding a rare, triple mandate, as an MEP, an MP, and a [[Member of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLA). On his first day he attempted to interrupt the then [[President of the European Council]] [[Jack Lynch]], [[Taoiseach]] of [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], but was shouted down by fellow MEPs.  
 
In the [[United Kingdom general election, 1970|1970 UK general election]] Paisley was elected the [[member of Parliament]] (MP) for the [[North Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|North Antrim constituency]] which he has retained since then and is now the longest serving MP from Northern Ireland. The following year, 1971 Paisley and [[Desmond Boal]] established the most successful and longest lasting of his political movements, the [[Democratic Unionist Party]] (DUP) which replaced his Protestant Unionist Party. It soon won seats at local council, provincial, national and European level; Paisley was elected one of Northern Ireland's three [[Member of the European Parliament|Members of the European Parliament]] (MEPs) at the first elections to the Brussels and Strasbourg-based [[European Parliament]] in 1979, holding a rare, triple mandate, as an MEP, an MP, and a [[Member of the Legislative Assembly]] (MLA). On his first day he attempted to interrupt the then [[President of the European Council]] [[Jack Lynch]], [[Taoiseach]] of [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]], but was shouted down by fellow MEPs.  
  
Paisley easily retained his seat in every European election until he stood down in 2004, receiving the highest popular vote of any British MEP (although as Northern Ireland uses a different electoral system to Great Britain for European elections, the figures are not strictly comparable)<ref>Your Vote: How it Works, BBC News. 1 June, 2004 [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3701187.stm]</ref>.
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Paisley easily retained his seat in every European election until he stood down in 2004, receiving the highest popular vote of any British MEP (although as Northern Ireland uses a different electoral system to Great Britain for European elections, the figures are not strictly comparable)<ref>Your Vote: How it Works, BBC News. 1 June, 2004 [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/3701187.stm]</ref>.
  
 
The DUP has been elected to each of the Northern Ireland conventions and assemblies set up since the party's creation. For a long time it was the principal challenger to the major [[Unionists (Ireland)|unionist]] party, the Ulster Unionist Party (known for a time in the 1970s and 1980s as the ''Official Unionist Party'' (OUP) to distinguish it from the then multitude of other unionist parties, some set up by deposed former leaders).  
 
The DUP has been elected to each of the Northern Ireland conventions and assemblies set up since the party's creation. For a long time it was the principal challenger to the major [[Unionists (Ireland)|unionist]] party, the Ulster Unionist Party (known for a time in the 1970s and 1980s as the ''Official Unionist Party'' (OUP) to distinguish it from the then multitude of other unionist parties, some set up by deposed former leaders).  
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In April 1977, Paisley famously declared he would retire from politics if a forthcoming United Unionist Action Council general strike was unsuccessful. The strike failed, but Paisley did not keep the promise.
 
In April 1977, Paisley famously declared he would retire from politics if a forthcoming United Unionist Action Council general strike was unsuccessful. The strike failed, but Paisley did not keep the promise.
  
In December 1981 the United States State Department revoked his visa, citing his "divisive rhetoric". [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50810F9395C0C748EDDAB0994D9484D81&showabstract=1]
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In December 1981 the United States State Department revoked his visa, citing his "divisive rhetoric." [http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50810F9395C0C748EDDAB0994D9484D81&showabstract=1]
  
 
[[Image:W. Bush and Martin McGuinness.jpg|thumb|right|200px|McGuinness, [[George W. Bush]] and [[Ian Paisley]] in December 2007]]
 
[[Image:W. Bush and Martin McGuinness.jpg|thumb|right|200px|McGuinness, [[George W. Bush]] and [[Ian Paisley]] in December 2007]]
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In the 1980s Paisley, like all the major Unionist leaders, opposed the [[Anglo-Irish Agreement]] (1985), signed by British Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] and [[Republic of Ireland|Irish]] [[Taoiseach]] (Prime Minister) Dr. [[Garret FitzGerald]]. The Agreement provided for an Irish input into the governing of Northern Ireland, through an Anglo-Irish Secretariat based at Maryfield, outside [[Belfast]] and meetings of the Anglo-Irish Conference, co-chaired by the Republic's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Britain's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The Unionists objected due to the fact that the Agreement was imposed on the people with no referendum, and to the notion of a foreign government "interfering" in the affairs of a part of the United Kingdom. [[Sinn Féin]] also objected.
 
In the 1980s Paisley, like all the major Unionist leaders, opposed the [[Anglo-Irish Agreement]] (1985), signed by British Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] and [[Republic of Ireland|Irish]] [[Taoiseach]] (Prime Minister) Dr. [[Garret FitzGerald]]. The Agreement provided for an Irish input into the governing of Northern Ireland, through an Anglo-Irish Secretariat based at Maryfield, outside [[Belfast]] and meetings of the Anglo-Irish Conference, co-chaired by the Republic's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Britain's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The Unionists objected due to the fact that the Agreement was imposed on the people with no referendum, and to the notion of a foreign government "interfering" in the affairs of a part of the United Kingdom. [[Sinn Féin]] also objected.
  
A rally of protesters, numbering an estimated 200,000 people, met in front of [[Belfast City Hall]] after a campaign dubbed after its slogan "[[Ulster Says No]]". The rally, which was addressed by Paisley and then UUP leader [[James Molyneaux]], passed off peacefully but was ignored by the government. On December 9, 1986, Paisley was once again ejected from the [[European Parliament]] for continually interrupting a speech by Mrs Thatcher.<ref>[http://www.margaretthatcher.org/speeches/displaydocument.asp?docid=106534 Speech to European Parliament | Margaret Thatcher Foundation<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>
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A rally of protesters, numbering an estimated 200,000 people, met in front of [[Belfast City Hall]] after a campaign dubbed after its slogan "[[Ulster Says No]]." The rally, which was addressed by Paisley and then UUP leader [[James Molyneaux]], passed off peacefully but was ignored by the government. On December 9, 1986, Paisley was once again ejected from the [[European Parliament]] for continually interrupting a speech by Mrs Thatcher.<ref>[http://www.margaretthatcher.org/speeches/displaydocument.asp?docid=106534 Speech to European Parliament | Margaret Thatcher Foundation<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>
  
 
In 1985, he and the rest of the Unionist MPs [[Resignation from the British House of Commons|resigned from Parliament]] at Westminster in protest at the Anglo-Irish Agreement and were, all but one ([[Jim Nicholson (UK politician)|Jim Nicholson]], who lost his seat to the [[Social Democratic and Labour Party]]'s [[Seamus Mallon]]), returned in the resulting by-elections.
 
In 1985, he and the rest of the Unionist MPs [[Resignation from the British House of Commons|resigned from Parliament]] at Westminster in protest at the Anglo-Irish Agreement and were, all but one ([[Jim Nicholson (UK politician)|Jim Nicholson]], who lost his seat to the [[Social Democratic and Labour Party]]'s [[Seamus Mallon]]), returned in the resulting by-elections.
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Paisley is a former member of the [[Orange Institution]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Wolff, Stefan & Neuheiser, Jorg | first = | authorlink = | title = Peace at Last?: The Impact of the Good Friday Agreement on Northern Ireland (Studies in Ethnopolitics) | publisher = Berghahn Books | date = 2003 | pages = p. 103 | doi =  | isbn = 978-1571815187}}</ref>  He addresses the annual gathering of the [[Independent Orange Order]] every [[Twelfth of July]].
 
Paisley is a former member of the [[Orange Institution]].<ref>{{cite book | last = Wolff, Stefan & Neuheiser, Jorg | first = | authorlink = | title = Peace at Last?: The Impact of the Good Friday Agreement on Northern Ireland (Studies in Ethnopolitics) | publisher = Berghahn Books | date = 2003 | pages = p. 103 | doi =  | isbn = 978-1571815187}}</ref>  He addresses the annual gathering of the [[Independent Orange Order]] every [[Twelfth of July]].
  
In 1995, he played a part in the first standoff over marching at [[Drumcree]], County Armagh between the [[Orange Institution|Orange Order]] and local residents of the Garvaghy Road. The march passed off after the decision was made by the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] (RUC) to allow it and Paisley ended the march hand in hand with [[David Trimble]] who appeared to perform a "[[Victory Jig]]". This "Victory Jig" was seen by some as an act of [[triumphalism]].<ref>The "Victory Jig" appears to have discredited Trimble in the longrun to the benefit of Dr. Paisley. See comments on the "Victory Jig" [http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2005/05/08/story4619.asp here]. See video of the controversial march through the area and "Victory Jig" in the 1995 section  [http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1420000/video/_1424111_ireland_murray_jul95_vi.ram here].</ref>
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In 1995, he played a part in the first standoff over marching at [[Drumcree]], County Armagh between the [[Orange Institution|Orange Order]] and local residents of the Garvaghy Road. The march passed off after the decision was made by the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] (RUC) to allow it and Paisley ended the march hand in hand with [[David Trimble]] who appeared to perform a "[[Victory Jig]]." This "Victory Jig" was seen by some as an act of [[triumphalism]].<ref>The "Victory Jig" appears to have discredited Trimble in the longrun to the benefit of Dr. Paisley. See comments on the "Victory Jig" [http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2005/05/08/story4619.asp here]. See video of the controversial march through the area and "Victory Jig" in the 1995 section  [http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1420000/video/_1424111_ireland_murray_jul95_vi.ram here].</ref>
  
 
===The 1998 Belfast Agreement: No===
 
===The 1998 Belfast Agreement: No===
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After a number of stop/starts the Executive and Assembly created by the 1998 Belfast Agreement were ultimately suspended in October 2002 amid unionist unhappiness on the nature of Provisional IRA disarmament and the alleged discovery of a Republican spy network operating in Stormont.
 
After a number of stop/starts the Executive and Assembly created by the 1998 Belfast Agreement were ultimately suspended in October 2002 amid unionist unhappiness on the nature of Provisional IRA disarmament and the alleged discovery of a Republican spy network operating in Stormont.
  
During [[Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2003|fresh elections in 2003]] Paisley and the DUP campaigned on the need for re-negotiation of the Belfast Agreement and emerged from the elections as the leading party entitled to the position of First Minister with Sinn Féin entitled to the Deputy First minister position.   Progress could now only be achieved with Paisleys agreement. He refused to accept Sinn Féin in Government without further progress, and the British Government maintained the suspensions of the institutions.
+
During [[Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2003|fresh elections in 2003]] Paisley and the DUP campaigned on the need for re-negotiation of the Belfast Agreement and emerged from the elections as the leading party entitled to the position of First Minister with Sinn Féin entitled to the Deputy First minister position. Progress could now only be achieved with Paisleys agreement. He refused to accept Sinn Féin in Government without further progress, and the British Government maintained the suspensions of the institutions.
  
Paisley and the DUP entered negotiations with the Governments and the other parties on the steps required and the changes needed to the Belfast Agreement. The December 2004 [[Comprehensive Agreement]] upheld the principles of the Belfast Agreement but foundered on the DUP demand for photographic evidence of IRA decommissioning. Following IRA disarmament in September 2005, the Governments set deadlines for the DUP and Sinn Féin to agree on a new Executive, with the alternative being direct rule from London.
+
Paisley and the DUP entered negotiations with the Governments and the other parties on the steps required and the changes needed to the Belfast Agreement. The December 2004 [[Comprehensive Agreement]] upheld the principles of the Belfast Agreement but foundered on the DUP demand for photographic evidence of IRA decommissioning. Following IRA disarmament in September 2005, the Governments set deadlines for the DUP and Sinn Féin to agree on a new Executive, with the alternative being direct rule from London.  
  
In the October 2006 [[St Andrews Agreement]], agreed on his fiftieth wedding anniversary, Paisley and the DUP agreed to new elections, and support for a new executive including Sinn Féin subject to Sinn Féin acceptance of the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]]. This reversed decades of Paisley opposition to Sinn Féin such as his comments on [[The Twelfth|12 July]] 2006 in [[Portrush]], following [[Orange Order]] parades when he said, "<nowiki>[Sinn Fein]</nowiki> are not fit to be in partnership with decent people. They are not fit to be in the government of Northern Ireland and it will be over our dead bodies if they ever get there."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/5174000.stm "Belfast march passes peacefully"], BBC News, 12 July 2006.</ref>
+
In the October 2006 [[St Andrews Agreement]], agreed on his fiftieth wedding anniversary, Paisley and the DUP agreed to new elections, and support for a new executive including Sinn Féin subject to Sinn Féin acceptance of the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]]. This reversed decades of Paisley opposition to Sinn Féin such as his comments on [[The Twelfth|12 July]] 2006 in [[Portrush]], following [[Orange Order]] parades when he said, "<nowiki>[Sinn Fein]</nowiki> are not fit to be in partnership with decent people. They are not fit to be in the government of Northern Ireland and it will be over our dead bodies if they ever get there."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/5174000.stm "Belfast march passes peacefully"], BBC News, 12 July 2006.</ref>
  
Sinn Féin did endorse the PSNI, and in the [[Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2007|subsequent election]] Paisley and the DUP received an increased share of the vote and increased their assembly seats from 30 to 36. On Monday [[26 March]] [[2007]], the date of the British Government deadline for devolution or dissolution, Paisley led a DUP delegation to a meeting with a Sinn Féin delegation led by [[Gerry Adams]] which agreed on a DUP proposal that the executive would be established on [[May 8]]. Later in April, Paisley met in Dublin with Taoiseach [[Bertie Ahern]] and publicly shook his hand, something Paisley had refused to do until there was peace in Northern Ireland.
+
Sinn Féin did endorse the PSNI, and in the [[Northern Ireland Assembly election, 2007|subsequent election]] Paisley and the DUP received an increased share of the vote and increased their assembly seats from 30 to 36. On Monday 26 March 2007, the date of the British Government deadline for devolution or dissolution, Paisley led a DUP delegation to a meeting with a Sinn Féin delegation led by [[Gerry Adams]] which agreed on a DUP proposal that the executive would be established on May 8. Later in April, Paisley met in Dublin with Taoiseach [[Bertie Ahern]] and publicly shook his hand, something Paisley had refused to do until there was peace in Northern Ireland.
  
On [[May 8]] power was devolved, the Assembly met, and Paisley was elected as First Minister of Northern Ireland with Sinn Féin's [[Martin McGuinness]] as the deputy First Minister. Speaking at Stormont to an invited international audience he said, "Today at long last we are starting upon the road — I emphasise starting — which I believe will take us to lasting peace in our province."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6636139.stm "Ian Paisley's speech in full"], BBC News, 8 May 2007.</ref> Paisley and McGuinness subsequently established a good working relationship and were dubbed by the Northern Irish media as the "Chuckle Brothers."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6948406.stm "'Chuckle brothers' enjoy 100 days"], BBC News, 15 Aug 2007.</ref>
+
On May 8 power was devolved, the Assembly met, and Paisley was elected as First Minister of Northern Ireland with Sinn Féin's [[Martin McGuinness]] as the deputy First Minister. Speaking at Stormont to an invited international audience he said, "Today at long last we are starting upon the road—I emphasise starting—which I believe will take us to lasting peace in our province."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6636139.stm "Ian Paisley's speech in full"], BBC News, 8 May 2007.</ref> Paisley and McGuinness subsequently established a good working relationship and were dubbed by the Northern Irish media as the "Chuckle Brothers."<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6948406.stm "'Chuckle brothers' enjoy 100 days"], BBC News, 15 Aug 2007.</ref>
  
 
===Winding down===
 
===Winding down===
{{wikinewspar|Northern Ireland's Ian Paisley to resign and retire}}
 
At the age of 78 he retired his [[European Parliament]] seat at the [[European Parliament Election, 2004|2004 elections]] and was succeeded by [[Jim Allister]]. 
 
  
However, he again retained his [[North Antrim]] seat in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2005|2005 UK general election]]. In 2005, Paisley was made a [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Councillor]], an appointment traditionally bestowed upon the leader of the fourth largest political party in the British Parliament.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4363746.stm "DUP leader to join privy council"], BBC News, 21 October 2005.</ref> In [[2007]], aged 81, he became First Minister of Northern Ireland. Upon the death of [[Piara Khabra]] in June 2007, Paisley became the oldest sitting British MP. In September 2007, he confirmed that he would contest [[North Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|North Antrim]] at the [[Next United Kingdom general election|next General Election]] as well as serving the full four years as first minister stating "I might as well make hay while the sun shines."<ref>[http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=85024&pt=n ::: u.tv :::<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>
+
At the age of 78 he retired his [[European Parliament]] seat at the [[European Parliament Election, 2004|2004 elections]] and was succeeded by [[Jim Allister]].
 +
 
 +
However, he again retained his [[North Antrim]] seat in the [[United Kingdom general election, 2005|2005 UK general election]]. In 2005, Paisley was made a [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Councillor]], an appointment traditionally bestowed upon the leader of the fourth largest political party in the British Parliament.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4363746.stm "DUP leader to join privy council"], BBC News, 21 October 2005.</ref> In 2007, aged 81, he became First Minister of Northern Ireland. Upon the death of [[Piara Khabra]] in June 2007, Paisley became the oldest sitting British MP. In September 2007, he confirmed that he would contest [[North Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|North Antrim]] at the [[Next United Kingdom general election|next General Election]] as well as serving the full four years as first minister stating "I might as well make hay while the sun shines."<ref>[http://u.tv/newsroom/indepth.asp?id=85024&pt=n ::: u.tv :::<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>
  
Following his [[January 2008]] retirement as a religious leader and pressure from party insiders, on [[4 March]] [[2008]] Ian Paisley announced that he will stand down as DUP leader and First Minister of Northern Ireland in May 2008.<ref name="BBC-quit" /> On [[17 April]], Peter Robinson was elected unopposed as his successor.<ref name="BBC-Robinson-leader">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7353569.stm |title=Robinson confirmed as DUP leader |date=[[17 April]] [[2008]] |work=BBC News online}}</ref>
+
Following his January 2008 retirement as a religious leader and pressure from party insiders, on 4 March 2008 Ian Paisley announced that he will stand down as DUP leader and First Minister of Northern Ireland in May 2008.<ref name="BBC-quit" /> On 17 April, Peter Robinson was elected unopposed as his successor.<ref name="BBC-Robinson-leader">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7353569.stm |title=Robinson confirmed as DUP leader |date=17 April 2008 |work=BBC News online}}</ref>
  
 
==Analysis and evaluation==
 
==Analysis and evaluation==
Line 130: Line 126:
 
Though their parties are often at loggerheads, Hume and Paisley worked jointly on behalf of Northern Ireland in the [[European Parliament]] and on occasion worked jointly in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]]. Indeed the complexity of their relationship was demonstrated when it was discovered that Hume had visited Paisley's home to dine with Ian and his wife, Eileen, on [[Boxing Day]] (26th December) one year in the 1990s.
 
Though their parties are often at loggerheads, Hume and Paisley worked jointly on behalf of Northern Ireland in the [[European Parliament]] and on occasion worked jointly in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]]. Indeed the complexity of their relationship was demonstrated when it was discovered that Hume had visited Paisley's home to dine with Ian and his wife, Eileen, on [[Boxing Day]] (26th December) one year in the 1990s.
  
[[John Hume]] tells the story of the occasion when he said to Ian Paisley, "Ian, if the word 'no' were to be removed from the English language, you'd be speechless, wouldn't you!" Paisley replied, "No, I wouldn't!"<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2006/01/22/n_ireland_laureate_seeks_to_raise_moderates_profile/ N. Ireland laureate seeks to raise moderates' profile — The Boston Globe<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>
+
[[John Hume]] tells the story of the occasion when he said to Ian Paisley, "Ian, if the word 'no' were to be removed from the English language, you'd be speechless, wouldn't you!" Paisley replied, "No, I wouldn't!"<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/articles/2006/01/22/n_ireland_laureate_seeks_to_raise_moderates_profile/ N. Ireland laureate seeks to raise moderates' profile—The Boston Globe<!-- Bot generated title —>]</ref>
  
 
===Defender or demagogue?===
 
===Defender or demagogue?===
His critics see his work in the European Parliament and in Stormont of late and argue that he could have been, had he so wished, one of the greatest ''builders'' of a new inclusive Northern Ireland. To his supporters, Ian Kyle Paisley is seen as a passionate defender of the union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. They argue that he stood up for unionists who were under attack from nationalists from the Republic of Ireland and from British governments willing to give away "unionist rights" and ignore unionist fears to placate [[Irish nationalism|nationalists]] and the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]]. To some, he is seen as the wrecker whose extremism almost destroyed Northern Ireland. To others, Ian Paisley is the great defender, the protector who saved Northern Ireland from "[[Rome Rule]]" and "[[Dublin]] rule".
+
His critics see his work in the European Parliament and in Stormont of late and argue that he could have been, had he so wished, one of the greatest ''builders'' of a new inclusive Northern Ireland. To his supporters, Ian Kyle Paisley is seen as a passionate defender of the union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. They argue that he stood up for unionists who were under attack from nationalists from the Republic of Ireland and from British governments willing to give away "unionist rights" and ignore unionist fears to placate [[Irish nationalism|nationalists]] and the [[Provisional Irish Republican Army]]. To some, he is seen as the wrecker whose extremism almost destroyed Northern Ireland. To others, Ian Paisley is the great defender, the protector who saved Northern Ireland from "[[Rome Rule]]" and "[[Dublin]] rule."
  
To his opponents however, including some unionists, Paisley is seen as a demagogue, a crude rabble-rouser who spent his political career saying 'no' and being passed by; "no" to O'Neill's reform, "no" to contacts with the Republic, "no" to Sunningdale, "no" to the convention, "no" to James Prior's ''rolling devolution'', "no" to the [[Anglo-Irish Agreement]], "no" to the Belfast Agreement. By them he is seen as a uniquely destructive influence whose extremism lost potential friends and helped alienate people outside Northern Ireland sympathetic to unionism. Paisley has never accepted any culpability for any violence, despite his many fiery speeches, which often presented the political conflict in stark [[Bible|Biblical]] terms as a [[Millenarianism|millenarian]] battle between good and evil (see [[Historicism (Christian eschatology)|Historicism]]).
+
To his opponents however, including some unionists, Paisley is seen as a demagogue, a crude rabble-rouser who spent his political career saying 'no' and being passed by; "no" to O'Neill's reform, "no" to contacts with the Republic, "no" to Sunningdale, "no" to the convention, "no" to James Prior's ''rolling devolution'', "no" to the [[Anglo-Irish Agreement]], "no" to the Belfast Agreement. By them he is seen as a uniquely destructive influence whose extremism lost potential friends and helped alienate people outside Northern Ireland sympathetic to unionism. Paisley has never accepted any culpability for any violence, despite his many fiery speeches, which often presented the political conflict in stark [[Bible|Biblical]] terms as a [[Millenarianism|millenarian]] battle between good and evil (see [[Historicism (Christian eschatology)|Historicism]]).
  
 
In September 2005, he was criticised for stoking unionist violence in Belfast over the 75-metre diversion of a provocative Orange Order march along a thoroughfare serving as a boundary between nationalist and unionist communities. Quoted by ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper, he called the diversion "the spark which kindles a fire there could be no putting out".<ref>Angelique Chrisafis, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,2763,1567926,00.html "Return of the gun and the bomb"], ''The Guardian'', 12 September 2005.</ref> Widespread loyalist riots followed, producing, among other results, what Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain called "serious attempts to kill police in some instances".<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/sep/12/northernireland 50 Police Officers Injured in Belfast Riots] [[Guardian UK]]</ref>
 
In September 2005, he was criticised for stoking unionist violence in Belfast over the 75-metre diversion of a provocative Orange Order march along a thoroughfare serving as a boundary between nationalist and unionist communities. Quoted by ''[[The Guardian]]'' newspaper, he called the diversion "the spark which kindles a fire there could be no putting out".<ref>Angelique Chrisafis, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,2763,1567926,00.html "Return of the gun and the bomb"], ''The Guardian'', 12 September 2005.</ref> Widespread loyalist riots followed, producing, among other results, what Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain called "serious attempts to kill police in some instances".<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/sep/12/northernireland 50 Police Officers Injured in Belfast Riots] [[Guardian UK]]</ref>
  
==References==
+
 
 +
 
 +
==Publications==
 +
Paisley has authored over 50 publications ranging from sermons, biographies of Protestant leaders, bible studies and anti-Catholic polemic.  Among Paisley these are:
 +
 
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1968. ''An exposition of the Epistle to the Romans, prepared in the prison cell.'' London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott. ISBN 9780551053854
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1996. ''Expository sermons.'' Ian R.K. Paisley library. Greenville, S.C.: Ambassador. 9781898787747
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1996. ''The garments of Christ.'' Greenville, S.C.: Ambassador. ISBN 9781898787723
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1996. ''Sermons on special occasions.'' Ian R.K. Paisley library. Greenville, S.C.: Ambassador Productions. ISBN 9781898787730
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1997. ''My plea for the old sword: the unsurpassable pre-eminency of the english Authorized Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible.'' Ian R.K. Paisley library. Greenville, S.C.: Ambassador. ISBN 9781840300154
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1997. ''The rent veils at Calvary.'' Ian R.K. Paisley library. Greenville, S.C.: Ambassador. ISBN 9781898787341.
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1998. ''Into the millennium: 20th century messages for 21st century living.'' The Ian R.K. Paisley library. Belfast: Ambassador. ISBN 9781840300253
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1999. ''Grow old along with me.'' Ian R.K. Paisley library. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Ambassador. ISBN 9781840300703
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1999. ''Sermons with startling titles.'' Ian R.K. Paisley library. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Ambassador. ISBN 9781840300482
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1999. ''The preaching of Ian R.K. Paisley the Protestant reformation.'' Belfast, Northern Ireland: Ambassador-Emerald, Intl. ISBN 9781889893358
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1999. ''For such a time as this: recollections, reflections, recognitions.'' Ian R.K. Paisley library. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Ambassador. ISBN 9781840300734.
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1999.'' Classic sermons: the preaching of Ian R. K. Paisley'' [sound recording]. Belfast: Ambassador-Emerald. ISBN 9781889893341
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 1996.'' Christian foundations.'' Belfast: Ambassador. ISBN 9781898787709
 +
* Paisley, Ian R. K. 2002. ''Divine intervention in days of declension: an exposition of the Book of Judges.'' Belfast, Northern Ireland: Ambassador Publications. ISBN 9781840301205
 +
* World Congress of Fundamentalists, and Ian R. K. Paisley. 1976. ''Word of their testimony: sermons delivered at the World Congress of Fundamentalists, Edinburgh, Scotland, June 15-22, 1976.'' Greenville, S.C.: Bob Jones University Press. ISBN 9780890840573
 +
 
 +
==Notes
 +
 
 
{{reflist|2}}
 
{{reflist|2}}
  
==Bibliography==
+
==References==
{{Cleanup-section|date=April 2007}}
+
* Bruce, Steve. 1986. ''God save Ulster: the religion and politics of Paisleyism.'' Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Clarendon Press. ISBN 9780198274872
*''The Protestant Reformation: The Preaching of Ian R. K. Paisley : Four Biographical Sermons : [[Martin Luther]], [[John Calvin]], [[John Knox]], [[William Tyndale]]'' (Audio CD)
+
Bruce, Steve. 2007. Paisley: religion and politics in Northern Ireland. Oxford [u.a.]: Oxford Univ. Press. ISBN 9780199281022.  
*''The Soul of the Question and the Question of the Soul''
+
* Cooke, Dennis. 1996. ''Persecuting zeal: a portrait of Ian Paisley.'' Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland: Brandon. ISBN 9780863222221
*''Christian Foundations''
+
* Dillon, Martin. 1998. ''God and the gun: the church and Irish terrorism.'' New York: Routledge. ISBN 9780415920605
*''Protestants Remember!''
+
* Downing, Taylor. 1981. ''The troubles: The background to the question of Northern Ireland.'' London usw: Thames/MacDonald Futura. ISBN 9780708819661
*''Union with Rome: The Courtship and Proposed Marriage of Protestantism by Romanism and the Objections Thereto'' (Ravenhill pulpit) (Ravenhill pulpit)
+
* Moloney, Ed. 2008. ''Paisley: from demagogue to democrat?'' Dublin: Poolbeg Press. ISBN 9781842233245
*''Ravenhill Pulpit: The Preaching of Ian R.K. Paisley'' 
+
* Paisley, Rhonda. 1988. ''Ian Paisley, my father.'' Basingstoke, Hants, UK: Marshall Pickering. ISBN 9780551017221
*Souvenir booklet: ''The 50th Anniversary of the Larne Gun-Running'' (Ravenhill pulpit) (Ravenhill pulpit)
+
Smyth, Clifford. 1987. ''Ian Paisley: voice of Protestant Ulster.'' Edinburgh: Scottish Academic. ISBN 9780707304991
*''The Five Protestant Bishops whom Rome Burned: [[John Hooper]], [[Robert Ferrar]], [[Hugh Latimer]], [[Nicholas Ridley]], [[Thomas Cranmer]]''
+
* Wallis, Roy, Steve Bruce, and David Taylor. 1986. ''"No surrender!": Paisleyism and the politics of ethnic identity in Northern Ireland.'' Belfast: Dept. of Social Studies, Queen's University of Belfast. ISBN 9780853892731
*''Jesus Christ: Not Able to Sin''
 
*''No Pope Here''
 
*''God's Ultimatum to the Nation''
 
*''Getting Your Priorities Right'' (Martyr's memorial pulpit) (Martyr's memorial pulpit)
 
*''The Authority of the Scriptures vs. the Confusion of Translations: Dr. Ian Paisley Thunders Out For the King James Version and its texts!'' (B.F.T)
 
*''Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans'' (Ian R.K.Paisley Library)
 
*''Classic Sermons''
 
*[[George Whitefield]]
 
*''Messages from the Prison Cell''
 
*''Sermons With Startling Titles''
 
*''Betrayal of our National Heritage''
 
*''U.D.I.''
 
*''The Unaged Birth and the Unembellished Gospel''
 
*''Some Kidd But Definitely No Goat!: The Story of the Witty, the Learned, the Eccentric and the Controversial Dr. Kidd of Aberdeen''
 
*''For Such a Time as This''
 
*''The Ulster Problem, Spring 1972: A Discussion of the True Situation in Northern Ireland''
 
*''The Living Bible: The Livid Libel of the Scriptures of Truth: an Exposure of the So-called Bible for Everyone''
 
*''The Jesuits: Their Start, Sign, System, Secrecy, Strategy''
 
*''The Archbishop in the Arms of the Pope of Rome!: Protestant Ministers in the Hands of the Police of Rome!''
 
*''Three great reformers''
 
*''The Massacre of St. Bartholomew: A Record of Papal Terror and Protestant Triumph in France in the Sixteenth Century'' 
 
*''[[Billy Graham]] and the Church of Rome'' 
 
*''False Views by Modern Man: An Exposure of "Good News for Modern Man — The New Testament — Today's English Version"''
 
*''Grow Old Along With Me''
 
*''Paisley: The Man and his Message''
 
*''The Ecumenical Nightmare: Church Unity in 1980!'' 
 
*''Text a Day Keeps the Evil Away''
 
*''Into the Millennium : 20th century Messages for 21st century Living''
 
*''The Rent Veils at Calvary''
 
*''The Fundamentalist and his State'': Address delivered on June l5, 1976 to the World Congress of Fundamentalists meeting at Usher Hall, Edinburgh
 
*''America's Debt to Ulster''
 
*''The Crown of Thorns''
 
*''An Enemy has Done This: Terror and Treachery in Northern Ireland''
 
*''Expository Sermons''
 
*''The Garments of Christ''
 
*''My Plea for the Old Sword''
 
*''Christian Foundations''
 
*''Sermons for Special Occasions''
 
*''Paisley's Pocket Preacher: Thumbnail gospel sermons''
 
*''The Livid Libel of the Scriptures of Truth: An Exposure of the So-called Bible in Everyday Language for Everyone'' (B.F.T)
 
*''The Revised English Bible: The Antichrist Bible, An Exposure''
 
*''Be Sure''
 
*''Ulster: The Facts''
 
*''The Crown Rights of Jesus Christ'': An address delivered by request before the General Synod of the Bible Presbyterian Church of America
 
*''An Exposition of the Epistle to the Romans,: Prepared in the Prison Cell''
 
*''The Common Bible (Revised Standard Version): The Bible of the Antichrist''
 
*''[[Benjamin Wills Newton]] Maligned But Magnificent : A Centenary Tribute, 1999''
 
*'The 59 Revival: An Authentic History of the Great Ulster Awakening of 1859''
 
  
==Sources and further information==
 
* [[BBC]] '' \ian_paisley06.ram''
 
*Steve Bruce, ''God save Ulster! The religion and politics of [[Paisleyism]]''. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 1986.
 
*Steve Bruce, ''Paisley: Religion and Politics in Northern Ireland'' Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2007.
 
*[[Dennis Cooke]], ''Persecuting Zeal: a portrait of Ian Paisley'', Brandon Books, 1996.
 
*[[Martin Dillon]], ''God and the Gun'', Orion Books, London.
 
*[[Martha Abele Mac Iver]], "Ian Paisley and the Reformed Tradition", ''Political Studies'', September 1987.
 
*[[Ed Moloney]] & [[Andy Pollak]], ''Paisley'', Poolbeg Press, 1986.
 
*[[Rhonda Paisley]], ''Ian Paisley: My Father'', Marshall Pickering, 1988.
 
*[[Clifford Smyth]], ''Ian Paisley: Voice of Protestant Ulster''. Edinburgh: Scottish Academic, 1987.
 
  
==See also==
+
==External links==
* [[List of Northern Ireland members of the Privy Council]]
 
  
==External links==
 
{{wikiquote}}
 
{{wikisource author}}
 
 
*[http://www.irlfunds.org/aif/new_york/news_50.asp The American Ireland Fund host Paisley and McGuinness at NYSE ]
 
*[http://www.irlfunds.org/aif/new_york/news_50.asp The American Ireland Fund host Paisley and McGuinness at NYSE ]
 
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sundaysequence/  BBC Extended interview with Ian Paisley] (April 2006; interviewed by [[William Crawley]])
 
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sundaysequence/  BBC Extended interview with Ian Paisley] (April 2006; interviewed by [[William Crawley]])
Line 227: Line 183:
 
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6437165.stm Biography of Ian Paisley]
 
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6437165.stm Biography of Ian Paisley]
 
*[http://www.thehist.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=118&Itemid=587 Recordings] and [http://www.thehist.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=639&Itemid=588 Photos] of the visit by Ian Paisley to the [[College Historical Society]] in October 2007.
 
*[http://www.thehist.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=118&Itemid=587 Recordings] and [http://www.thehist.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=639&Itemid=588 Photos] of the visit by Ian Paisley to the [[College Historical Society]] in October 2007.
*[http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/?filmID=1094 Video — Ian Paisley delivers his 'No Surrender' speech at a rally at Victoria Park in Belfast, September 6 1971.]
+
*[http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/?filmID=1094 Video—Ian Paisley delivers his 'No Surrender' speech at a rally at Victoria Park in Belfast, September 6 1971.]
 
 
{{start box}}
 
{{s-off}}
 
{{succession box
 
  | title = Leader of the [[Democratic Unionist Party]]
 
  | before = ''Newly created position''
 
  | after = [[Democratic Unionist Party leadership election, 2008|To be elected]]
 
  | years = 1971 – 2008}}
 
{{s-par|ni/ass}}
 
{{Incumbent succession box
 
  | title = [[Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister|First Minister of Northern Ireland]]
 
  | before = Office Suspended 2002-07 <br>([[David Trimble]], <small>2001-02</small>)</br>
 
  | start = 2007}}
 
{{s-par|ni}}
 
{{succession box
 
  | title  = [[Member of Parliament]] for [[Bannside (Northern Ireland Parliament constituency)|Bannside]]
 
  | before = [[Terence O'Neill]]
 
  | after = ''Position prorogued 1972''<br>''Parliament abolished 1973''
 
  | years = 1970 – 1972}}
 
{{s-par|uk}}
 
{{Incumbent succession box
 
  | title  = [[Member of Parliament]] for [[North Antrim (UK Parliament constituency)|North Antrim]]
 
  | before = [[Henry Maitland Clark]]
 
  | after =
 
  | start = 1970}}
 
{{s-hon}}
 
{{Incumbent succession box
 
  | title  =[[Records of members of parliament of the United Kingdom#List of Oldest sitting MPs since 1945|Oldest sitting Member of Parliament]]
 
  | before = [[Piara Khabra]]
 
  | after =
 
  | start = [[19 June]] [[2007]]}}
 
{{s-rel}}
 
{{succession box
 
  | title  = [[Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster|Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster]]
 
  | before = [[Incumbent]]
 
  | after = [[Ron Johnstone|Rev. Ron Johnstone]]
 
  | years = 1951 – 2008}}
 
{{end box}}
 
 
 
{{First Minister for N.Ireland}}
 
{{Leaders of British political parties}}
 
{{NI party leaders}}
 
  
{{Persondata
 
|NAME=Paisley, Ian Richard Kyle
 
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Paisley, Ian
 
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=Northern Ireland political and religious leader
 
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|PLACE OF BIRTH=[[Armagh]], [[Northern Ireland]]
 
|DATE OF DEATH=
 
|PLACE OF DEATH=
 
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[[Category:Anti-Catholicism]]
 
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[[Category:Democratic Unionist Party MPs]]
 
[[Category:First Ministers of Northern Ireland]]
 
[[Category:King-James-Only Movement]]
 
[[Category:Leaders of political parties in Northern Ireland]]
 
[[Category:Living people]]
 
[[Category:Members of the European Parliament from Northern Ireland]]
 
[[Category:Members of the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention]]
 
[[Category:Members of the Northern Ireland Forum]]
 
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of Northern Ireland]]
 
[[Category:Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom]]
 
[[Category:Members of the United Kingdom Parliament for Northern Irish constituencies]]
 
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[[Category:Northern Ireland MLAs 2003-2007]]
 
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Revision as of 16:07, 15 October 2008

Ian Paisley.

Ian Richard Kyle Paisley (born 6 April 1926), styled The Revd. and Rt. Hon. Ian Paisley and also known as Dr Ian Paisley, was the First Minister of Northern Ireland from May 8 2007 until June 5 2008. Paisley is a veteran politician and church leader in Northern Ireland. As the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the largest single grouping in the 2007 elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly, he was elected First Minister with Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness as deputy First Minister on 8 May 2007. In addition to his leadership of the DUP, he founded and is the past Moderator of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster. Paisley has been Member of Parliament for the constituency of North Antrim since 1970, and is a member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for the same constituency. He was elected to the European Parliament in 1979.

In 2005, Paisley's political party became the largest Unionist party in Northern Ireland, displacing his long-term rivals, the Ulster Unionists (UUP), who had dominated Unionist politics in Northern Ireland since the Partition of Ireland. Paisley is also an author, lecturer and speaker.


Personal life

Ian Paisley was born in Armagh, County Armagh and brought up in the town of Ballymena, County Antrim, where his father James Kyle Paisley was an Independent Baptist pastor. The senior Paisley had served in the Ulster Volunteers under Edward Carson. [1]

They have five children, three daughters Sharon, Rhonda and Cherith and twin sons, Kyle and Ian. Three of their children have followed their father into politics or religion: Kyle, into the church; Ian is a DUP assemblyman; and daughter Rhonda a retired DUP councillor and artist. He has a brother, Harold, who currently preaches the Gospel in the United States and Canada.

Following rumours, it was confirmed in July 2004 that Paisley had been undergoing tests for an undisclosed illness and in 2005 Ian Paisley, Jr. confirmed that his father had been gravely ill. Ian Paisley confirmed in 2006 that he had made a full recovery.

Religious career

During his time working on the farm, the young Paisley felt that he received a vocation to enter the Christian ministry. He undertook theological training at the Barry School of Evangelism (eventually renamed the South Wales Bible College which was later replaced by the Evangelical Theological College of Wales), and later, for a year, at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Hall in Belfast.

In 1946 he was ordained at a ceremony in the independent Ravenhill Evangelical Mission Church on the Ravenhill Road, Belfast. Four ministers from four different denominations performed various roles in the service but some have questioned whether they had ecclesiastical authority from their churches to participate.

The Free Presbyterian Church

In the early 1950s the local Presbyterian presbytery in Crossgar, County Down revoked permission for Ian Paisley to use the local Lissara Presbyterian church for a Gospel Mission. In conjunction with the Lissara Kirk session Ian Paisley helped to establish the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster at Crossgar, County Down. Following a vote in his own church he joined the Free Presbyterian Church and was subsequently elected the second moderator of the new denomination. He held this post for several decades until he was succeeded in January 2008 by Rev. Ron Johnstone. His September 2007 announcement that he was standing down followed press reports of controversy in the Free Presbyterian Church over his political role as First Minister of Northern Ireland

Writings

Paisley eventually set up his own newspaper in February 1966, the Protestant Telegraph, a strongly anti-Catholic paper, as a mechanism for further spreading his message.[2] He has authored numerous books and pamphlets on religious and political subjects including a commentary on the Epistle to the Romans.

Doctor Paisley

Paisley's use of the title 'Dr' derived initially from a 1954 qualification from the (outlawed [3]) American Pioneer Theological Seminary in Rockville, Illinois. Later this was somewhat legitimised by an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree awarded by Bob Jones University, a fundamentalist Christian but unaccredited college in Greenville, South Carolina. Bob Jones, Jr. was a close personal friend and, with Paisley, a leader in evangelical Christianity. Paisley continues to maintain a friendly relationship with the institution and has often spoken at the University's annual Bible Conference.

Campaign against homosexuality

He preaches against homosexuality and supports laws criminalising its practice. Intertwining his religious and political views, "Save Ulster from Sodomy" was a campaign launched by Paisley in 1977, in opposition to the Campaign for Homosexual Law Reform (Northern Ireland), established in 1974. Paisley's campaign sought to prevent the extension to Northern Ireland of the Sexual Offences Act 1967 which had decriminalised homosexual acts between males over 21 years of age in England and Wales. The campaign failed when legislation was passed in 1982 as a result of the previous year's ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Dudgeon v. United Kingdom.[4]

Religious views

Paisley promotes a highly conservative form of Biblical literalism, which he describes as "Bible Protestantism." The website of Paisley's public relations arm, the European Institute of Protestant Studies (ianpaisley.org), describes the Institute's purpose as to "expound the Bible, expose the Papacy, and to promote, defend and maintain Bible Protestantism in Europe and further afield." Paisley's website describes a number of doctrinal areas in which he believes that the "Roman church" (which he termed Popery) has deviated from the Bible and thus from true Christianity. These include the doctrine of transubstantiation, which Paisley claims on his website has given rise to "revolting superstitions and idolatrous abuses," the veneration of saints and the Virgin Mary (excessive and not Biblically supported, in Paisley's view), and the institution of the Papacy, which Paisley believes has no biblical foundation. In 1988, when Pope John Paul II delivered a speech to the European Parliament, Paisley shouted "I Denounce you as the AntiChrist!" and held up a red poster reading "Pope John Paul II ANTICHRIST" in black letters. John Paul continued with his address after Paisley was ejected from the auditorium by fellow MEPs.[5][6][7][8]


He has claimed in an article that the seat no. 666 in the European Parliament is reserved for the Antichrist.[9]

He and his organisation have publicly spoken out against what he views to be blasphemy in popular culture, including criticism of the stage productions Jesus Christ Superstar and Jerry Springer: The Opera. On at least one issue, Paisley shares views with his Catholic counterparts: he opposes legal abortion.

Though often at political odds with the Republic of Ireland, he has some religious followers in the Republic.[10] It was specifically in his religious capacity that he first agreed to meet the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. Paisley revised this stance in September 2004, when he agreed to meet Ahern in his political capacity as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party. Known for a sense of humour, at an early meeting with Ahern at the Irish embassy in London, Paisley requested breakfast and asked for boiled eggs; when Ahern asked him why he had wanted boiled eggs, Paisley quipped "it would be hard for you to poison them," much to Ahern's amusement.[11]

Paisley, an ardent teetotaller all his life, has sometimes asked journalists and nationalist politicians "let me smell your breath" when they asked him tough questions, insinuating that they had taken on board some alcohol, or "devil's buttermilk" as he often puts it.

Political career

Early activism: Ulster Protestant Action

From the majority unionist community, Paisley was among those invited in 1956 to a special meeting at the Ulster Unionist Party's offices in Glengall Street, Belfast. Many Loyalists who were to become major figures in the 1960s and 1970 also attended, and the meeting's declared purpose was to organise the defence of Protestant areas against anticipated Irish Republican Army (IRA) activity, as the old Ulster Protestant Association had done after partition in 1920.[12] The new body decided to call itself Ulster Protestant Action (UPA), and the first year of its existence was taken up with the discussion of vigilante patrols, street barricades, and drawing up lists of IRA suspects in both Belfast and in rural areas.[13]

Even though no IRA threat materialised in Belfast, and despite it becoming clear that the IRA's activities during the Border Campaign were to be limited to the border areas, Ulster Protestant Action remained in being (the UPA was to later become the Protestant Unionist Party in 1966). Factory and workplace branches were formed under the UPA, including one by Paisley in Belfast's Ravenhill area under his direct control. The concern of the UPA increasingly came to focus on the defence of 'Bible Protestantism' and Protestant interests where jobs and housing were concerned. As Paisley came to dominate Ulster Protestant Action, he received his first convictions for public order offences. In June 1959, a major riot occurred on the Shankill Road in Belfast following a rally at which he had spoken.[14]

Beginning a career of "No"

The majority of Paisley's political career was characterised by vehement opposition to accommodation of the aspirations and policies of the minority nationalist community in Northern Ireland. This first came to general public attention in the 1960s when he campaigned against Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Terence O'Neill's rapprochement with the Republic of Ireland and his meetings with Taoiseach of the Republic, Seán Lemass, a veteran of Easter 1916 and the anti-Treaty IRA. He opposed efforts by O'Neill to deliver civil rights to the nationalists, which included the abolition of gerrymandering of local electoral areas for the election of urban and county councils. In 1964 his demand that the police remove an Irish Tricolour from Sinn Féin's Belfast offices led to two days of rioting, after this was followed through (see Flags and Emblems Act – the public display of any symbol which could cause a breach of the peace was illegal until Westminster repealed the Flags Act in 1987).[15] Paisley's approach led him in turn to oppose O'Neill's successors as Prime Minister, Major James Chichester-Clark (later called Lord Moyola) and Brian Faulkner.

In 1969, he was jailed along with Ronald Bunting for organising an illegal counter-demonstration against a Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association march in Armagh. He was released during a general amnesty for people convicted of political offenses. [16]

Electoral success and the DUP foundation

In the 1970 UK general election Paisley was elected the member of Parliament (MP) for the North Antrim constituency which he has retained since then and is now the longest serving MP from Northern Ireland. The following year, 1971 Paisley and Desmond Boal established the most successful and longest lasting of his political movements, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) which replaced his Protestant Unionist Party. It soon won seats at local council, provincial, national and European level; Paisley was elected one of Northern Ireland's three Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) at the first elections to the Brussels and Strasbourg-based European Parliament in 1979, holding a rare, triple mandate, as an MEP, an MP, and a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). On his first day he attempted to interrupt the then President of the European Council Jack Lynch, Taoiseach of Ireland, but was shouted down by fellow MEPs.

Paisley easily retained his seat in every European election until he stood down in 2004, receiving the highest popular vote of any British MEP (although as Northern Ireland uses a different electoral system to Great Britain for European elections, the figures are not strictly comparable)[17].

The DUP has been elected to each of the Northern Ireland conventions and assemblies set up since the party's creation. For a long time it was the principal challenger to the major unionist party, the Ulster Unionist Party (known for a time in the 1970s and 1980s as the Official Unionist Party (OUP) to distinguish it from the then multitude of other unionist parties, some set up by deposed former leaders).

In the 2003 Northern Ireland Assembly elections, the DUP overtook the UUP to become the largest party in Northern Ireland, achieving thirty seats to the UUP's twenty-seven, and in the 2005 UK General Election, achieving almost twice their vote share and taking nine seats to the UUP's one (successfully unseating then UUP leader David Trimble) and becoming the fourth largest party in the British House of Commons.

The 1973 Sunningdale agreement: Opposed

Paisley opposed the 1972 suspension by the British government of Edward Heath of the Northern Ireland parliament and government (known metonymically by the term Stormont due to the location of Parliament Buildings on the Stormont estate). He opposed the Sunningdale Agreement which sought to rework relationships between Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom, and which provided for a power-sharing executive (government) involving both communities in Northern Ireland, and a controversial all-island Council of Ireland linking Northern Ireland and the Republic on a legal but not constitutional level. Sunningdale collapsed following the Ulster Workers' Council Strike, which cut water and electricity supplies to many homes, and the failure of the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Merlyn Rees and the British Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, to defend the power-sharing executive. Supporters of Paisley played an important role in orchestrating the strike. In January 1974, he (Paisley) was subdued and thrown out of the Stormont Assembly by members of the RUC.

In April 1977, Paisley famously declared he would retire from politics if a forthcoming United Unionist Action Council general strike was unsuccessful. The strike failed, but Paisley did not keep the promise.

In December 1981 the United States State Department revoked his visa, citing his "divisive rhetoric." [5]

McGuinness, George W. Bush and Ian Paisley in December 2007

The 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement: 'Ulster says no'

In the 1980s Paisley, like all the major Unionist leaders, opposed the Anglo-Irish Agreement (1985), signed by British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Dr. Garret FitzGerald. The Agreement provided for an Irish input into the governing of Northern Ireland, through an Anglo-Irish Secretariat based at Maryfield, outside Belfast and meetings of the Anglo-Irish Conference, co-chaired by the Republic's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Britain's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. The Unionists objected due to the fact that the Agreement was imposed on the people with no referendum, and to the notion of a foreign government "interfering" in the affairs of a part of the United Kingdom. Sinn Féin also objected.

A rally of protesters, numbering an estimated 200,000 people, met in front of Belfast City Hall after a campaign dubbed after its slogan "Ulster Says No." The rally, which was addressed by Paisley and then UUP leader James Molyneaux, passed off peacefully but was ignored by the government. On December 9, 1986, Paisley was once again ejected from the European Parliament for continually interrupting a speech by Mrs Thatcher.[18]

In 1985, he and the rest of the Unionist MPs resigned from Parliament at Westminster in protest at the Anglo-Irish Agreement and were, all but one (Jim Nicholson, who lost his seat to the Social Democratic and Labour Party's Seamus Mallon), returned in the resulting by-elections.

1995: Drumcree Standoff

Paisley is a former member of the Orange Institution.[19] He addresses the annual gathering of the Independent Orange Order every Twelfth of July.

In 1995, he played a part in the first standoff over marching at Drumcree, County Armagh between the Orange Order and local residents of the Garvaghy Road. The march passed off after the decision was made by the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) to allow it and Paisley ended the march hand in hand with David Trimble who appeared to perform a "Victory Jig." This "Victory Jig" was seen by some as an act of triumphalism.[20]

The 1998 Belfast Agreement: No

Paisley's DUP was initially involved in the negotiations under former United States Senator George J. Mitchell that led to the Belfast Agreement of 1998. However the party withdrew in protest when Sinn Féin, a republican party with links to the Provisional Irish Republican Army,[21] was allowed to participate after its ceasefire. Paisley and his party opposed the Agreement in the referendum that followed its signing, and which saw it approved by over 70% of the voters in Northern Ireland and by over 90% of voters in the Republic of Ireland.

Although Paisley often stresses his loyalty to the Crown, he accused Queen Elizabeth of being Tony Blair's "parrot" when she voiced approval of the Agreement. The claim is reflective of the current custom in the United Kingdom of the Monarch reflecting the position of the government, never publicly contradicting official government policy.

As part of the deal, the Republic altered the controversial Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution of Ireland, which had originally claimed its government's de jure right to govern the whole island of Ireland, including Northern Ireland.

The DUP fought the resulting election to the Northern Ireland Assembly, to which Paisley was elected, while keeping his seats in the Westminster and European parliaments. The DUP took two seats in the multi-party power-sharing executive (Paisley, like the leaders of the Social Democratic and Labour Party and Sinn Féin chose not to become a minister) but those DUP members serving as ministers (Peter Robinson and Nigel Dodds) refused to attend meetings of the Executive Committee (cabinet) in protest at Sinn Féin's participation.[22]

Having spent most of his career, as he himself jokingly admitted once, saying 'No', Paisley assumed the chairmanship of the Agriculture committee of the Northern Ireland Assembly created by the Belfast Agreement, where he was praised (even by Sinn Féin members with whom he worked) as an effective, coordinating chairman. The Minister for Agriculture, Nationalist SDLP's Bríd Rodgers, remarked that she and Paisley had a "workmanlike" relationship.[23]

2000s: Compromise and Power

After a number of stop/starts the Executive and Assembly created by the 1998 Belfast Agreement were ultimately suspended in October 2002 amid unionist unhappiness on the nature of Provisional IRA disarmament and the alleged discovery of a Republican spy network operating in Stormont.

During fresh elections in 2003 Paisley and the DUP campaigned on the need for re-negotiation of the Belfast Agreement and emerged from the elections as the leading party entitled to the position of First Minister with Sinn Féin entitled to the Deputy First minister position. Progress could now only be achieved with Paisleys agreement. He refused to accept Sinn Féin in Government without further progress, and the British Government maintained the suspensions of the institutions.

Paisley and the DUP entered negotiations with the Governments and the other parties on the steps required and the changes needed to the Belfast Agreement. The December 2004 Comprehensive Agreement upheld the principles of the Belfast Agreement but foundered on the DUP demand for photographic evidence of IRA decommissioning. Following IRA disarmament in September 2005, the Governments set deadlines for the DUP and Sinn Féin to agree on a new Executive, with the alternative being direct rule from London.

In the October 2006 St Andrews Agreement, agreed on his fiftieth wedding anniversary, Paisley and the DUP agreed to new elections, and support for a new executive including Sinn Féin subject to Sinn Féin acceptance of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. This reversed decades of Paisley opposition to Sinn Féin such as his comments on 12 July 2006 in Portrush, following Orange Order parades when he said, "[Sinn Fein] are not fit to be in partnership with decent people. They are not fit to be in the government of Northern Ireland and it will be over our dead bodies if they ever get there."[24]

Sinn Féin did endorse the PSNI, and in the subsequent election Paisley and the DUP received an increased share of the vote and increased their assembly seats from 30 to 36. On Monday 26 March 2007, the date of the British Government deadline for devolution or dissolution, Paisley led a DUP delegation to a meeting with a Sinn Féin delegation led by Gerry Adams which agreed on a DUP proposal that the executive would be established on May 8. Later in April, Paisley met in Dublin with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and publicly shook his hand, something Paisley had refused to do until there was peace in Northern Ireland.

On May 8 power was devolved, the Assembly met, and Paisley was elected as First Minister of Northern Ireland with Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness as the deputy First Minister. Speaking at Stormont to an invited international audience he said, "Today at long last we are starting upon the road—I emphasise starting—which I believe will take us to lasting peace in our province."[25] Paisley and McGuinness subsequently established a good working relationship and were dubbed by the Northern Irish media as the "Chuckle Brothers."[26]

Winding down

At the age of 78 he retired his European Parliament seat at the 2004 elections and was succeeded by Jim Allister.

However, he again retained his North Antrim seat in the 2005 UK general election. In 2005, Paisley was made a Privy Councillor, an appointment traditionally bestowed upon the leader of the fourth largest political party in the British Parliament.[27] In 2007, aged 81, he became First Minister of Northern Ireland. Upon the death of Piara Khabra in June 2007, Paisley became the oldest sitting British MP. In September 2007, he confirmed that he would contest North Antrim at the next General Election as well as serving the full four years as first minister stating "I might as well make hay while the sun shines."[28]

Following his January 2008 retirement as a religious leader and pressure from party insiders, on 4 March 2008 Ian Paisley announced that he will stand down as DUP leader and First Minister of Northern Ireland in May 2008.[29] On 17 April, Peter Robinson was elected unopposed as his successor.[30]

Analysis and evaluation

Relationship with the nationalist SDLP

From the 1960s, one of his main rivals was civil rights leader and co-founder of the nationalist SDLP, John Hume.

British Government papers released in 2002, show that in 1971 Paisley attempted to reach a compromise with the nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP).[31] The attempt was made via then British Cabinet Secretary, Sir Burke Trend. The papers show that Paisley had indicated he could "reach an accommodation with leaders of the Catholic minority, which would provide the basis of a new government in Stormont." It appears that the move was rejected once it became clear to the SDLP that the deal would favour the unionist majority. Speaking about the deal in 2002 Paisley said:

The SDLP did not want to go along the road that we would have wanted them to go. I wouldn't say there were talks, there was an exchange of views between us, but it never got anywhere. We were prepared to try and seek a way whereby we could govern Northern Ireland and that people of both faiths could be happy with the way it was being governed, but it all rested on the key point — the person with power would be the person that the people gave the power.[31]

Though their parties are often at loggerheads, Hume and Paisley worked jointly on behalf of Northern Ireland in the European Parliament and on occasion worked jointly in the House of Commons. Indeed the complexity of their relationship was demonstrated when it was discovered that Hume had visited Paisley's home to dine with Ian and his wife, Eileen, on Boxing Day (26th December) one year in the 1990s.

John Hume tells the story of the occasion when he said to Ian Paisley, "Ian, if the word 'no' were to be removed from the English language, you'd be speechless, wouldn't you!" Paisley replied, "No, I wouldn't!"[32]

Defender or demagogue?

His critics see his work in the European Parliament and in Stormont of late and argue that he could have been, had he so wished, one of the greatest builders of a new inclusive Northern Ireland. To his supporters, Ian Kyle Paisley is seen as a passionate defender of the union between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. They argue that he stood up for unionists who were under attack from nationalists from the Republic of Ireland and from British governments willing to give away "unionist rights" and ignore unionist fears to placate nationalists and the Provisional Irish Republican Army. To some, he is seen as the wrecker whose extremism almost destroyed Northern Ireland. To others, Ian Paisley is the great defender, the protector who saved Northern Ireland from "Rome Rule" and "Dublin rule."

To his opponents however, including some unionists, Paisley is seen as a demagogue, a crude rabble-rouser who spent his political career saying 'no' and being passed by; "no" to O'Neill's reform, "no" to contacts with the Republic, "no" to Sunningdale, "no" to the convention, "no" to James Prior's rolling devolution, "no" to the Anglo-Irish Agreement, "no" to the Belfast Agreement. By them he is seen as a uniquely destructive influence whose extremism lost potential friends and helped alienate people outside Northern Ireland sympathetic to unionism. Paisley has never accepted any culpability for any violence, despite his many fiery speeches, which often presented the political conflict in stark Biblical terms as a millenarian battle between good and evil (see Historicism).

In September 2005, he was criticised for stoking unionist violence in Belfast over the 75-metre diversion of a provocative Orange Order march along a thoroughfare serving as a boundary between nationalist and unionist communities. Quoted by The Guardian newspaper, he called the diversion "the spark which kindles a fire there could be no putting out".[33] Widespread loyalist riots followed, producing, among other results, what Northern Ireland secretary Peter Hain called "serious attempts to kill police in some instances".[34]


Publications

Paisley has authored over 50 publications ranging from sermons, biographies of Protestant leaders, bible studies and anti-Catholic polemic. Among Paisley these are:

  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1968. An exposition of the Epistle to the Romans, prepared in the prison cell. London: Marshall, Morgan & Scott. ISBN 9780551053854
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1996. Expository sermons. Ian R.K. Paisley library. Greenville, S.C.: Ambassador. 9781898787747
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1996. The garments of Christ. Greenville, S.C.: Ambassador. ISBN 9781898787723
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1996. Sermons on special occasions. Ian R.K. Paisley library. Greenville, S.C.: Ambassador Productions. ISBN 9781898787730
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1997. My plea for the old sword: the unsurpassable pre-eminency of the english Authorized Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible. Ian R.K. Paisley library. Greenville, S.C.: Ambassador. ISBN 9781840300154
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1997. The rent veils at Calvary. Ian R.K. Paisley library. Greenville, S.C.: Ambassador. ISBN 9781898787341.
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1998. Into the millennium: 20th century messages for 21st century living. The Ian R.K. Paisley library. Belfast: Ambassador. ISBN 9781840300253
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1999. Grow old along with me. Ian R.K. Paisley library. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Ambassador. ISBN 9781840300703
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1999. Sermons with startling titles. Ian R.K. Paisley library. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Ambassador. ISBN 9781840300482
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1999. The preaching of Ian R.K. Paisley the Protestant reformation. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Ambassador-Emerald, Intl. ISBN 9781889893358
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1999. For such a time as this: recollections, reflections, recognitions. Ian R.K. Paisley library. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Ambassador. ISBN 9781840300734.
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1999. Classic sermons: the preaching of Ian R. K. Paisley [sound recording]. Belfast: Ambassador-Emerald. ISBN 9781889893341
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 1996. Christian foundations. Belfast: Ambassador. ISBN 9781898787709
  • Paisley, Ian R. K. 2002. Divine intervention in days of declension: an exposition of the Book of Judges. Belfast, Northern Ireland: Ambassador Publications. ISBN 9781840301205
  • World Congress of Fundamentalists, and Ian R. K. Paisley. 1976. Word of their testimony: sermons delivered at the World Congress of Fundamentalists, Edinburgh, Scotland, June 15-22, 1976. Greenville, S.C.: Bob Jones University Press. ISBN 9780890840573

==Notes

  1. Downing,page 132
  2. T. Gallagher, 'Religion, Reaction, and Revolt in Northern Ireland: The Impact of Paisleyism in Ulster', Journal of Church and State, 23.3 (1981), p. 440.
  3. British Centre for Science Education
  4. Stonewall timeline of Gay & Lesbian history available here.
  5. MacDonald, Susan, "Paisley ejected for insulting Pope", The Times, 1988-10-02.
  6. Chrisafis, Angelique, "The Return of Dr. No", The Guardian, 2004-16-09 [1].
  7. "HEADLINERS; Papal Audience", The New York Times, 16 October 1988.
  8. David McKittrick, "An amazing conversion? The Big Man makes a long journey", The Independent, 10 October 2006.
  9. EIPS—The Vacant Seat Number 666 in the European Parliament
  10. Free Presbyterian Church—Church Information. Free Presbyterian Church. Retrieved 2007-05-10.
  11. EIPS—Dr Paisley Given The Freedom Of Ballymena
  12. This move followed the election win by Sinn Féin of over 150,000 votes in the 1955 elections- the strongest expression of anti-partitionist feeling in some years. The fears were well founded as the IRA was preparing for a new campaign starting in December 1956, which would have included attacks on Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) stations in Belfast were it not for that section of the plan being discovered. See article Border Campaign (IRA)
  13. See CEB Brett, Long Shadows Cast Before, Edinburgh, 1978, pp.130-131.
  14. See Ian S. Wood, 'The IRA's Border Campaign' p.123 in Anderson, Malcolm and Eberhard Bort, ed. 'Irish Border: History, Politics, Culture'. Liverpool University Press. 1999
  15. Statutory Instrument 1987 No. 463 (N.I. 7) [2]
  16. PRISON SENTENCES ON PAISLEY AND BUNTING, The Times. 28 January 1969 [3]
  17. Your Vote: How it Works, BBC News. 1 June, 2004 [4]
  18. Speech to European Parliament | Margaret Thatcher Foundation
  19. Wolff, Stefan & Neuheiser, Jorg (2003). Peace at Last?: The Impact of the Good Friday Agreement on Northern Ireland (Studies in Ethnopolitics). Berghahn Books, p. 103. ISBN 978-1571815187. 
  20. The "Victory Jig" appears to have discredited Trimble in the longrun to the benefit of Dr. Paisley. See comments on the "Victory Jig" here. See video of the controversial march through the area and "Victory Jig" in the 1995 section here.
  21. Press Briefing: 3.45pm Monday 21 February 2005 10 Downing Street website.
  22. BBC News | NORTHERN IRELAND | Sanctions against DUP ministers
  23. Old hatreds thaw during 61 days of normal politics | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET.com
  24. "Belfast march passes peacefully", BBC News, 12 July 2006.
  25. "Ian Paisley's speech in full", BBC News, 8 May 2007.
  26. "'Chuckle brothers' enjoy 100 days", BBC News, 15 Aug 2007.
  27. "DUP leader to join privy council", BBC News, 21 October 2005.
  28. ::: u.tv :::
  29. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named BBC-quit
  30. "Robinson confirmed as DUP leader", BBC News online, 17 April 2008.
  31. 31.0 31.1 "Ian Paisley sought 'deal' with SDLP", BBC News, 1 January 2002.
  32. N. Ireland laureate seeks to raise moderates' profile—The Boston Globe
  33. Angelique Chrisafis, "Return of the gun and the bomb", The Guardian, 12 September 2005.
  34. 50 Police Officers Injured in Belfast Riots Guardian UK

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • Bruce, Steve. 1986. God save Ulster: the religion and politics of Paisleyism. Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Clarendon Press. ISBN 9780198274872

Bruce, Steve. 2007. Paisley: religion and politics in Northern Ireland. Oxford [u.a.]: Oxford Univ. Press. ISBN 9780199281022.

  • Cooke, Dennis. 1996. Persecuting zeal: a portrait of Ian Paisley. Dingle, Co. Kerry, Ireland: Brandon. ISBN 9780863222221
  • Dillon, Martin. 1998. God and the gun: the church and Irish terrorism. New York: Routledge. ISBN 9780415920605
  • Downing, Taylor. 1981. The troubles: The background to the question of Northern Ireland. London usw: Thames/MacDonald Futura. ISBN 9780708819661
  • Moloney, Ed. 2008. Paisley: from demagogue to democrat? Dublin: Poolbeg Press. ISBN 9781842233245
  • Paisley, Rhonda. 1988. Ian Paisley, my father. Basingstoke, Hants, UK: Marshall Pickering. ISBN 9780551017221

Smyth, Clifford. 1987. Ian Paisley: voice of Protestant Ulster. Edinburgh: Scottish Academic. ISBN 9780707304991

  • Wallis, Roy, Steve Bruce, and David Taylor. 1986. "No surrender!": Paisleyism and the politics of ethnic identity in Northern Ireland. Belfast: Dept. of Social Studies, Queen's University of Belfast. ISBN 9780853892731


External links


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