Are 85% of you really Christians?

nobodythere

So according to the census 85% of Irish people are Christians. I call bull****, there's no way that that many people in Ireland call themselves Christian.

There's all the people that don't go to church, don't pray, don't know much about that Jesus, don't take gareth37 very seriously (:p entertaining innit?) and aren't sure about the whole God thing. Yet they put it down when the census man comes knocking...... why?

Kazuma

More like 85% enter Christian into the census, for lack of a better idea.
Doesn't necessarily mean that they're even slightly practicing, just seems to be tradition, writing it down.

nobodythere

That's what I said I was wondering why

hussey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHqOG8p0Lkc

The first lines are pretty much what sums up that survey

jill_valentine

Wonder how many parents stick "Christian" down for their dependants...

smellslikeshoes

Most people in Ireland were brought up as Christian by their parents and even if they don't practice or think about it much they would still consider themselves Christians.

nobodythere

Was looking at the Census religion by age and it seems to pretty consistent across the board, even in the 18-25 group.

Dean820

I tell people I'm catholic. I haven't been to mass in years.

nkay1985

Well 0% of me is Christian...

Das Kitty

It depends who you ask OP...

http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0071/0071_01.asp

Canis Lupus

Sheep...

MysticalSoul

I am not Christian, am more spiritual (tend to follow a lot of new age/wicca philosophies), however there isn't a suitable option just to say spiritual. On the census, my understanding, is what Church were you baptised under, assuming someone hasn't decided to change from one to another for whatever reason.

Dave!

My dad filled out the census and I'm down as a christian.

Cianos

I know a couple of real Christians but I usually just call them Chris. :pac:

connundrum

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Sheep...

...where exactly would I find these sheep?

This beef and ham nonsense has me up the walls

Oh yeah and Christian. I'm Christian for about 0.54% of the year. The rest of the time I abide by loose morals.

philologos

I'm a practising Christian in the 18-25 bracket (I'm 19), but I also have a feeling about the figures being inaccurate in this respect.

Kashkai

I'm not christian in that I don't believe in a christ, or an allah or a buddha or the magic monkey. But I put down catholic on the census form as I was baptised as one and brought up as one, at least until I was 13 or so and stopped going to mass. However, what the hell difference does it make if you do or don't put christian/catholic down on the census. People who give out about this and have to proudly proclaim how unchristian/uncatholic they are are as bad as the religious zealots of whatever religion who shove their faith in your face. There are more things in life worth worrying/complaining about than if you are being asked if you are christian. If it means so much to you, then state 'no religion' on the next census and those like me who have no qualms either way can put catholic/christian to keep the wife happy.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

grasshopa wrote: »

Are 85% of you really Christians?

Absolutely not, I'm 100% Christian.

Mr. Presentable

If 85% of me is christian, it'll be the part below the neck.

tony1kenobi

85% Christian 15% Ninja Badass.

Zebra3

Prosperous Dave wrote: »

I'm not christian in that I don't believe in a christ, or an allah or a buddha or the magic monkey. But I put down catholic on the census form as I was baptised as one and brought up as one, at least until I was 13 or so and stopped going to mass. However, what the hell difference does it make if you do or don't put christian/catholic down on the census. People who give out about this and have to proudly proclaim how unchristian/uncatholic they are are as bad as the religious zealots of whatever religion who shove their faith in your face. There are more things in life worth worrying/complaining about than if you are being asked if you are christian. If it means so much to you, then state 'no religion' on the next census and those like me who have no qualms either way can put catholic/christian to keep the wife happy.

It's a criminal offence to lie on a census form.

I am not a Christian and I answered the question regarding religion on the census correctly.

It's idiots who answer that they are catholic when they are not that allow the papists to control too much of education.

cornbb

If the government can point to the census and claim that 85% of people in Ireland are catholic then they think it effectively lets them off the hook when it comes to allowing the church to run the schools. A figure of 85% basically gives them a mandate to run the country like its still the 1950s and is still joined at the hip with the catholic church. There's more of a point to answering that question accurately than just getting you "off the hook with the wife" - if you are not a christian, then why on earth would you tick "christian"!

There's no way 85% is accurate, I think the real figure would be more like half of that.

Dord

I was raised catholic but certainly haven't considered myself one for a long time. In the last census I made sure I was down as having no religion.

I think a lot of people who have chosen catholic or christian or whatever the hell they're calling it this week don't actually follow the religion.

Ro: maaan!

It's the equivilant of an atari jaguar option. I wouldn't call myself christian. But don't really know what else I'd call myself either. This thread goes to show that if I do put down christian then most people won't believe it anyway, but if I go out of my way to label exactly what I am people will take note. I don't need that ****.

Although I do agree with the church's ego point. Maybe if we stopped putting it down the government would cut them out of the picture a bit more.

Dyr

We're probably christian in terms of our values more so than going to church and that.

Canis Lupus

Bambi wrote: »

We're probably christian in terms of our values more so than going to church and that.

Nothing to do with values. You're either a practising catholic or not.

I just wish the world could be secular when it came to government etc.

getz

i am a christian ,i believe in christ but i do not believe that the way to god is by going to any church [the early christians never had a church]

BaconZombie

I thought the last census say that over 30% of people put down Jedi?

Also I think this is as accurate as the amount of people who tick the box for speak Irish, but have not said a full sentence since school.


Edit:

Anybody know that percent the "Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster" is at in Ireland?

Dyr

Canis Lupus wrote: »

Nothing to do with values. You're either a practising catholic or not.

I just wish the world could be secular when it came to government etc.

You have to be a practising catholic to be christian? :eek:

ejmaztec

I think that 97% of the people here are still pagan, but they're just pretending to be Christian to avoid being burned at the stake.

ShooterSF

On the Jedi thing some were threatened with religious persecution for admitting their beliefs in Australia!
Link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jedi_census_phenomenon

Ross_Mahon

I am Atheist, But i wouldn't mind being a Jedi for the craic!

ordinary_story

I'm baptised church of Ireland NOT roman catholic but am still christian. It doesnt matter either way I'm not practicing.
I feel its in the same league as asking someone are they going for a drink, it doesnt really matter if they drink or not

toiletduck

Ro: maaan! wrote: »

It's the equivilant of an atari jaguar option

Good idea! I put down "No religion" but next time it's Atari Jaguar all the way :pac:

Galvasean

My household has four people in it. One atheist, one agnostic, one deist and a non-practicing 'Catholic'.
Yet, when the non-practicing 'Catholic' filled in the form (never asked me about it BTW) she said all 4 were Christian. Apparently this happens a lot.

People ask "What difference does it make?" I'll tell you what difference it makes. If the Government is (incorrectly) told by it's people that 85% of the people in it's country are Christian then it will make important decisions (that effect everybody) in favour of the perceived Christian uber-majority.
Apparently less than 5% of Ireland's people marked 'non religious' on the census form. From the Government's perspective that is a tiny fraction of the populace and therefore one of the last groups that will be considered when making decisions.
So, my non-religious brethren, we must make our voices heard and take the census form back from the mammy!

Aodan83

toiletduck wrote: »

Good idea! I put down "No religion" but next time it's Atari Jaguar all the way :pac:

How many people do you think we could get to put in atari jaguar as their religion in the next census?

Galvasean

Aodan83 wrote: »

How many people do you think we could get to put in atari jaguar as their religion in the next census?

5

Dyr

ordinary_story wrote: »

I'm baptised church of Ireland NOT roman catholic but am still christian.

well... just about

murfie

OK hold it, disrespecting peoples religion and right to put down whatever they please on a census form is not on. Calling people sheep and idiots because of their religious view is more close minded and biased than the people you claim are religious and you brand this way yourselves!
I am by no means a perfect christian/catholic and I rarely go to church but i consider myself christian and would write that on a form asking me because I have freedom to do so and wont be called a sheep for my beliefs!

Galvasean

murfie wrote: »

OK hold it, disrespecting peoples religion and right to put down whatever they please on a census form is not on. Calling people sheep and idiots because of their religious view is more close minded and biased than the people you claim are religious and you brand this way yourselves!

Can you point me in the direction of those in this thread calling people idiots?

murfie

Zebra3 wrote: »

It's idiots who answer that they are catholic when they are not that allow the papists to control too much of education.

I dont want to single people out but here you are. If I consider myself a catholic non practising or whatever who has a right to tell me that I cant but that on a census form. Thats as bad as the bible beaters that go around saying you must believe in god!

Prof.Badass

Galvasean wrote: »

My household has four people in it. One atheist, one agnostic, one deist and a non-practicing 'Catholic'.
Yet, when the non-practicing 'Catholic' filled in the form (never asked me about it BTW) she said all 4 were Christian. Apparently this happens a lot.

i'd say it does. I'm down as catholic because my mam is extremely religious and i could never admit it to her while i'm still living at home. I'd say loads of people are in the same boat.

Also, people who put themsleves down as "jedi" or whatever are just ruining it for themselves.because at the end of the day, they're bringing down the official number for non-religious people which is way lower than it should be. Those without religion really need to say this on the census so we can be taken account of.sadly i can't do this untill i've moved out.

ShooterSF

murfie wrote: »

I dont want to single people out but here you are. If I consider myself a catholic non practising or whatever who has a right to tell me that I cant but that on a census form. Thats as bad as the bible beaters that go around saying you must believe in god!

He called people an idiot for putting down a religion when they dont believe in it.
He didnt call people an idiot for their beliefs.
And only right as lying on a consensus is a stupid thing to do.

murfie

alright i see where he was coming from, sorry for that and reading it in that context i would agree, people should be truthfull on a the form. But the stats are probably closer to accurate than people would think, in my opinion as people may not be practising but still consider themselves as christian.

fryup

the way i look at it is this...

you've got your catholics and you've got your protestants...who just go through the motions

and then you've got the ones who take it seriously i.e. the born again christains

went to one of there meetings before and ive could have screamed with boredom & frustration everyone was so reserved & squirrely... i mean come on don't take it so seriously!!

ShooterSF

fryup wrote: »

the way i look at it is this...

you've got your catholics and you've got your protestants...who just go through the motions

and then you've got the ones who take it seriously i.e. the born again christains

went to one of there meetings before and ive could have screamed with boredom & frustration everyone was so reserved & squirrely... i mean come on don't take it so seriously!!

Murfle now feel free to fire ahead

Biggins

No.

I didn't get a choice when I was born. Now that I have an ability to chose, no.
I want to be no part of an organisation that is possibly corrupt to the core in what I have read and learned.

I do believe in treating others as you would have them treat you. (That sums it up in a quick nutshell)

knoxor

Just a question for anyone who is a non-practicing Christian. Why are you non-practicing ?

If I was a racing driver and stopped racing, I wouldn't consider myself a racing driver anymore.

Biggins

knoxor wrote: »

Just a question for anyone who is a non-practicing Christian. Why are you non-practicing ?

If I was a racing driver and stopped racing, I wouldn't consider myself a racing driver anymore.

Just because you believe in a "god" or whatever - turning up phyically to a building on a regular basis proves nothing!

You can be a religious moral person by your daily acts and thoughts.
Turning up once a week at a building to hear a man dressed in a frock and throw coins in a basket, does not make you a Christian either!

Acting with a good Samaritan outlook and subsequent actions, I'd consider anyone of such traits, to be a more "Christian practising" person, not the person just turning up at a building just because its said somewhere it MAKES you a good Christian.

knoxor

Just because you believe in a "god" or whatever - turning up phyically to a building on a regular basis proves nothing!

You can be a religious moral person by your daily acts and thoughts.
Turning up once a week at a building to hear a man dressed in a frock and throw coins in a basket, does not make you a Christian either!

I agree with you there.

I'm trying to hone in on the definition of what a Christian is. You seem to have your own belief system, based around Christian principles, is this in essence what a Christian is ?

Would another Christian have taken a different set of those same beliefs and called themselves a Christian as well ?

If this is the case, can they all be called Christians when they may have vastly different belief systems ?

I'm playing devils advocate here (excuse the pun)

ordinary_story

I seem to remember from alot of american television, being a good person meant you were being christian but I think alot of that was because of thir ignorance of other faiths.