Of course, some of the less bright don't know much about it's origins and may in fact use it to mean Celtic or Catholic but their lack of knowledge does not change the fact.
Some of the more extreme republicans/sectarians claim the F word represents the ancient, mythical, Irish warriors. In fact it refers to the violent Irish-American political organisation of the same name which perpetrated terrorist actions such as the Clerkenwell Outrage of 1868 in which 13 civilians were murdered. As such it is very popular amongst a certain section of Celtic fans - one of the largest Celtic messageboards is entitled Unrepentant Fenian Bastard; they produce t-shirts with that on it; the fans' book featuring pictures etc from Seville was published by a company rejoicing in the name UFB Books. So, we can say with certainty Irish republicans and their fellow-travelers are quite happy so to describe themselves.
But at this moment in time it suits those with an anti-Rangers agenda to say it means Catholic. Just as it suits them to throw their hands up in mock horror that someone could be so loony as to express the thought “Fuck The Pope.” Lying is their stock in trade. For Spiers and his ilk it matters like hell that they use their media power to try and establish “facts” - they depend upon that for much of what they wish to happen to Rangers. Of course, ask him about Huns, Orange bastards, etc and that'll be a far different story.
It's also highly amusing to watch self-appointed “progressives” hold up their hands in horror in defence of the church which in Spain, Italy and France is associated with medievalism, privilege and backwardness. Benedict the only member of the Hitler Youth not to believe in it and the only Luftwaffe anti-aircraft gunner never to fire a shot in anger (!) is not regarded as a progressive figure in those countries where heroes such as Giuseppe Garibaldi, Victor Hugo, etc, and the politics of republican anticlericism have been the main feature of politics for over 200 years. Your choose your religion like you choose your politics - it's an intellectual matter not something immovable like your race. Only in Scotland can no sensible debate be had.
For a variety of reasons - most of them either political or religious hatreds which see Rangers as a symbol of what they hate - whether struggling with some personal issues related to their upbringing, their personal religious hatreds, out of control Scottish nationalism, etc, etc. Reality and truth are disposable commodities to such people - they really do not care so long as they get the job done when trying to cause us problems.
And they don't like it when you stand up to them. Look at the hysteria which the Rangers Supporters Trust has been subjected to over this topics. ALL trusts tend to be supported by the media in the UK because they are seen as progressive and in the best interests of fans even if some journos think them a little impractical for large clubs. But in Scotland amongst a certain section of the media the RST has become a hate figure which needs to be demolished and/or demonised at all costs. Why? Because it matters and it has been putting into effect a range of policies and initiatives which don't suit their agenda - it's public spokespersons have taken on critics of the club in ways which drives them mental - for too long Rangers and Rangers fans have been a punchbag for our critics and now that some are hitting back effectively the call has gone out to try and destroy.
I've had it myself once FF started to get too big for our boots - the last six times the BBC have called me has been to invite me to “discuss sectarianism” - I decline pointing out that in the past as well as discussing sectarianism they were happy to have me in to discuss football finance, the manager, players, etc, etc. FF is not going to be sidelined into only being associated with the debate over sectarianism by having our voice on our important matters silences - we refuse to be the Aunt Sally. Likewise with the Trust - over the last few months the invites to discuss football have ceased and radio shows have gone back to relying on the same tired circus of newspaper hacks. Once we get a few showed doing football we will be happy to revisit sectarianism.
It''s an old tactic - a bit like George Orwell facing problems from the extreme left when trying to get his classic parody of the Soviet system “Animal Farm” published - “no bribes, no threats, no penalties - just a nod and a wink and the thing is done.”
However, in these days of mass communication by email and messageboard the ban on Rangers fans discussing Rangers cannot be held back in the way it once was - for instance, no letter from a Rangers fan on the Herald's letters page for four years.
We started FF because we were sick of reading stuff about the club and it's fans which simply didn't related to the reality of the experience of life we had as Bears. The hate against our club still remains but now we have created a community for ourselves where the ideas of FF are now mainstream in the support - its not the way I would exactly like it to be but it is a marked improvement, a healthy improvement, form how it used to be - more and more Bears are challenging the establishment and their propagandists.
The “F” word debate is one which many fans will shy away of for fear of being labeled a bigot. Be careful with words but don't shy away from the battle. The truth is both complex and worth fighting for. For once you accept the dictatorship of another in one area of your life then it's a slippery slope.
GRANDMASTER SUCK