Soldato
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Census - other Religion option?
- Thread starter Mangochutney
- Start date
It doesn't though, while the person checking the questionnaire may have an opinion, the statistics themselves ignore the fact entirely and your answer is merely discarded.
Soldato
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Oh well, at least that would be my second choice (simply not completing it). Does seem odd though.
You may disagree, but that most people do is purely conjecture on your part, and in fact if the last census is anything to go by it seems 'most' people disagree with you.
The fact is that within Christianity there is no requirement to attend church at all, there never was. My Gran never went to Church, yet she was a deeply religious person, it isn't about what you do, but about what you believe.
Serious question, what does the religion question actually serve to achieve? I know the census overall affects things such as local funding, but what does knowing my religion (or lack thereof) affect?
I'm in a minority religion (for want of a better term), but surely putting that down doesn't suddenly release a few thousand in funding for my local church?
I'm in a minority religion (for want of a better term), but surely putting that down doesn't suddenly release a few thousand in funding for my local church?
Made all the more pertinent by the fact that the 'church' is the collection of followers, not the building they choose to attend to congregate. Just the same way Buddhist followers form the Sangha. It could be argued that those Christians (or whatever) who maintain deep beliefs but don't attend 'church' are all the more pious. Better than being a 'Sunday Christian' at any rate?
Man of Honour
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Serious question, what does the religion question actually serve to achieve? I know the census overall affects things such as local funding, but what does knowing my religion (or lack thereof) affect?
I'm in a minority religion (for want of a better term), but surely putting that down doesn't suddenly release a few thousand in funding for my local church?
It does a couple of things 1) it shows the make-up or breakdown* of religious belief in the country is and that can be measured against previous censuses to see how it is changing but also 2) it allows funding to be discussed for allocation on a slightly better basis than "I reckon Jainism is on the up, let's chuck £20k at them".
*whichever term you prefer, one of the English languages pleasing curiosities that they should both mean the same here.
Serious question, what does the religion question actually serve to achieve? I know the census overall affects things such as local funding, but what does knowing my religion (or lack thereof) affect?
I'm in a minority religion (for want of a better term), but surely putting that down doesn't suddenly release a few thousand in funding for my local church?
It doesn't do anything other than give a demographic representation of the population.
That is why it is optional, it is not used to decide funding, regardless of what Secular and Atheist lobbies would like you to believe.
According to our local MP, when I asked him this very question, he told me (after checking himself) that it doesn't affect funding of religious groups and never has. It is simply an optional question to assess another demographic of the Nation.
Man of Honour
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I thought it could be used to help discuss the funding even if it doesn't actually decide it? But maybe that was just my misinterpretation.
//edit I see your response already, nevermind.
Soldato
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My mum filled out my part of the census (live at home)
And although I never practice christianity, beleive in it, or want anything to do with it but because I was babtised 23years ago I have to put down church of scotland.
Bitch.
And although I never practice christianity, beleive in it, or want anything to do with it but because I was babtised 23years ago I have to put down church of scotland.
Bitch.
I suspect that it does come up in discussion, it would be silly of me to say otherwise.
However, the funding issue would be the same regardless of the census information. There is a strong case that the question itself serves no purpose and only garners dissension about how and if the information should be interpreted and used.
Ah, makes sense. Thanks guys.
BTW did you get my mail Castiel?
Indeed I did, and I will reply later in the week when I have the time and attention it deserves. It was very interesting indeed.
Indeed I did, and I will reply later in the week when I have the time and attention it deserves. It was very interesting indeed.
No worries, I wasn't rushing you. Just wasn't sure I had the right address is all (it was in my 'collected addresses' in Thunderbird from way back when lol). Cheers.
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Man of Honour
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Yes, but my point is in the context of a census, which can be used by government to allocate funding....
The religious question isn't used to allocate funding. It is merely a demographic indicator, nothing more.
Man of Honour
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Then why can't people put Jedi down?
Who said they couldn't.
It simply gets ignored as part of the statistics. It isn't included in the Religion or No-religion figures. It is the same as if you spoiled your ballot paper, it is simply discarded and as such is a pointless thing to do, you may as well ignore the question as I and some others have done.
Man of Honour
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More mundane than I thought. Fair enough.