FIFTY Northern Protestant politicians and other public figures have written about what the phrase "For God and Ulster" means to them in a new book. The book, Faith in Ulster, is published by the Evangelical Contribution on Northern Ireland (ECONI).
The Orange Order leader, the Rev Martin Smyth MP, says that for him the slogan is valid. He warns against allowing the "evil exploits" which have corrupted it "to pervert a glorious reality".
"It reminds me of my basic duty as a creature made in the image of God and a sinner redeemed by the precious blood of His only beloved Son. God must be first in my life."
He goes on: "Secondly comes our country, our community. This might offend some who strut upon the world scene and claim to be internationalists. It does not mean `our country, right or wrong'. The moral law of God comes first."
The Alliance leader, Lord Alderdice, says: "The idea that God should be associated with any political entity and its inhabitants - be they in Israel, Britain, Ulster or wherever - is completely alien to my reading of the Gospel and my understanding of God."
He believes that "the most appalling feature of the `For God and Ulster' mentality is demonstrated when apparently committed Christians line up with individuals and organisations that are corrupt and menacing in the extreme".
The DUP politician, Mr Gregory Campbell, says that for him "the slogan is properly used in the context of a beleaguered, embattled people having been so vilified and so misrepresented that they must seek a refuge which will not betray them".
He goes on: "The term is a powerful affirmation of belief in a sovereign God who disposes that which puny people propose. Those who shun it completely in the belief that it sectarianises the Gospel either do not understand or do not accept the essential nature of the dispute between Protestantism and Roman Catholicism."
The Church of Ireland Primate, Archbishop Eames, writes: "The real task for the Christian Church in Northern Ireland is to proclaim the universality of a Gospel of love. In doing so it is faced with the harsh realities of sectarian attitudes which have proved so negative and costly down through our history.
"In facing this challenge, the integrity of separating basic belief in Almighty God from sectional interests is paramount. Identification with the genuine fears and feelings of members of individual denominations is but one part of the sensitive balance. Yet that must never be allowed to blind the church to its primary task to proclaim and to witness to the reconciling and forgiving presence of a God for all seasons and for all the people of this divided community."
On the other hand the representative of the Women's Coalition at the inter party talks, Ms Pearl Sagar, says that the slogan means nothing to her: "The only time I can imagine such a phrase being used is if people were going to war, using something like `For Queen/King and Country'."
"I personally identify myself first and foremost as a human being who is also of the Protestant faith, and has the right to live in freedom in a peaceful and democratic society. I believe everyone has that right and will continue to believe this with all my heart, and I hope and pray that the day will come when this is a reality rather than a belief or dream."