Dissenting Voices

Title: Dissenting Voices: Profiles of 300 Progressive Presbyterians over Four Centuries

Author: Roger Courtney

Description: Dissenting Voices: Rediscovering the Irish Progressive Presbyterian Tradition by Roger Courtney was published by the Ulster Historical Foundation in 2013. This database contains biographical sketches of some 300 'progressive' Presbyterians from the seventeenth century onwards. The stereotypical belief that there are two religions in Ireland, Catholic and Protestant, whose highly-charged fault lines have led to confrontation, fear and misunderstanding, has ignored the strong, vibrant and often courageous dissenting tradition. The individuals featured here have exemplified many of the admirable characteristics of that tradition and in many cases helped shape the course of Irish history, challenged the existing consensus of society for the betterment of all sections of the local community be it in terms of religious freedom, civic rights, the rights of tenants, or even the future political direction of the island of Ireland.

Roger Courtney was born and brought up in a Presbyterian family in Belfast. His mother was a daughter of the manse. He was educated at Belfast ‘Inst’ (Royal Belfast Academical Institution) and Queen’s University Belfast, where he studied psychology and philosophy. Having trained as a community and youth worker in Birmingham, he set up Crescent Arts Centre in south Belfast. For 16 years he was Chief Executive of the Simon Community NI providing accommodation for people who are homeless. He then worked as a freelance consultant, mentor, trainer and lecturer. He has written extensively on the management of voluntary organisations and fundraising. His main hobby is music and he is the composer of the well-known peace hymn, ‘The Pollen of Peace’.