beach_walker wrote: » Well despite what a lot of people think, there is no actual "book" from which you can be removed. There is no central archive in the Vatican. Catholicism teaches that once baptised into the church, you are (and always will be) Catholic. Not the same thing at all but seems to be a big sticking point for some for some reason. OP for the purposes of the census, I imagine most people could put it together themselves where they stand on the issue. There is no set list of things needed to actively do to consider yourself as such.
hinault wrote: » Even given a range of descriptions on every census form, 84% of respondees at the last census in 2011 took the decision to describe themselves as Roman Catholic.
smash wrote: » A guy from the census was on the radio last week and said that they didn't have the funds to rework the form to ask if people were atheist, agnostic or even if you're practising your religion so the form will be identical to the 2012 form. It's a total cop out... It's 3/4 extra fields and no doubt they did edit the form to update the year!
beach_walker wrote: » Excellent point. People just seem to have decided what this question is and isn't for. I've asked elsewhere (because I disagree with the State even asking it) and was told it's just for analysis purposes and allowing easy comparisons throughout the years. You get your input on State policy with elections and through your local TDs lads.
Joeytheparrot wrote: » No it's not your opinion on public policy. They are asking you what religious belief you hold not "do you think all state schools should be catholic" or "do you think we should have a purely secular state" Your opinion on this doesn't come into it. They want to know only what religion you hold or if you hold none. Your opinion on state policy and religion is not being asked at all anywhere on the form.
Maximus Alexander wrote: » I was baptised and I'm not Catholic.
Speedwell wrote: » Once you're baptised, you mean, you can consider yourself Catholic or not, and the Church doesn't care one way or the other because it's already made up its mind and it's not changing it, don't confuse it with facts.
The Randy Riverbeast wrote: » So there are requirements to being a Catholic? I thought anyone could just call themselves Catholic and anyone who questioned them was an ignorant militant atheist.
Joeytheparrot wrote: Your opinion on state policy and religion is not being asked at all anywhere on the form.
Ush1 wrote: » But that is your opinion on public policy! If you are answering the question in the knowledge that this will effect public policy (and as we've said, why else would they ask), then you have offered your opinion on public policy. You've done it even furthermore if you don't really take the question seriously. You're saying, I may not even believe or be accurate with what I'm putting down but this is what I would like to see. Why do you think there is a campaign for people to select no religion?
Ush1 wrote: » Do you know any atheists who consider atheism their "religion"? I reckon none would be more accurate.
Shenshen wrote: » Outside the internet? Not really. Online there are some cases that make me look for another option to describe my non-existing beliefs, just so as to not associate myself with them.
thattequilagirl wrote: » They should definitely break it down into practicing and non-practicing.
Maximus Alexander wrote: » Some people don't like to be referred to as 'atheist' because there's a whole Richard Dawkins atheist cult thing going on these days.
Ush1 wrote: » A good one I had was when I was when I was filling out a form for St James' hospital and under religion it had options for 'None' and 'Atheist'.
superfurry1 wrote: » Im ticking the catholic box, for selfish reasons really, only to frustrate hubert, the only atheist in the village who will choke on his flat white and be embalmed and buried in a Guardian news papier mache combination turtleneck.:D
Joeytheparrot wrote: » To determine public policy based on demographic statistics - not your opinion on public policy
cowboyBuilder wrote: » The word "Atheist" is annoying to me at this stage, is there a word for someone who doesn't believe in fairies or witches ? Do I need to put down "round earther" on the census form too ?
Ush1 wrote: » Seems to be in conflict to what you said earlier. So why are they asking the question?
Joeytheparrot wrote: » No They are not asking you anywhere if religious dogma should influence public policy!!!!!
realdanbreen wrote: » So? if it's irrelevent to you then what's your problem?
Ush1 wrote: » So they're asking should religious dogma influence public policy and if so, which religion should have the most influence? People saying just put this that or just put that make me laugh. The question is either relevant and worth asking (i.e has tangible purpose other than filling out a form for the sake of it) or it's not worth asking at all. If it's the former, then how its answered should be taken seriously.
Joeytheparrot wrote: » No. They're not. They are asking questions on your life circumstances to determine public policy for the overall population. It's nothing to do with your opinion on the matter. I mean don't be silly If you go down that route - "oh we need more schools I'll put down I have five children even though I've none" "Oh I think gay marriage is great and we should show have mores lesbians in the country so I'll put down my husband is a woman" "Oh rural Ireland doesn't get enough investment so I'll pretend I live in the countryside even though I live in the city centre."
Speedwell wrote: » No, don't be silly. The other questions are not about your opinions. The question about religion is literally about your opinions.
Speedwell wrote: » Sure they are. Otherwise why would they care?
Maximus Alexander wrote: » I don't object Somebody splashed some water on my head decades ago. It's a total irrelevance.
