Introduction

Abstract

Northern Ireland is a society with an extraordinary degree of religious literacy. We do not suggest that people turn readily to their Bible for daily instruction and quote it ceaselessly throughout the day, although the high level of religious observance in Northern Ireland means more are likely to do so than in most Western countries. But the ready use of scriptural texts in the media, painted on wall murals, used on posters nailed to trees, carried about on banners, or contained in leaflets pushed frequently through letter boxes, means that people think they know God’s word and are apt to quote — or misquote — it as a matter of course. Two instances come to mind from our data set on ex-combatants.