Conserving or changing? The theology and politics of Northern Irish fundamentalist and evangelical Protestants after the Good Friday Agreement

Some of the most severe opposition to the Good Friday agreement has come from the unionist community, particularly those classified as fundamentalist Protestants. This paper seeks to correct the overemphasis on fundamentalism, exploring the relationship between fundamentalist and evangelical Protestants in Northern Ireland. Through a case study of 20 members of the Queen’s University Belfast Christian Union, the author explores issues such as theological belief, political belief, and modes of political and perceived personal trajectory. The paper concludes with an exploration of the prospects for fundamentalists, and the role of evangelicals in fostering social change amongst the Protestant communities in Northern Ireland.