Will the 2011 census mislead on religion?
The BHA and the NSS have both campaigned to have the next census, due in March 2011, changed to reflect a more accurate picture of religion in Britain, though their approach has differed.
The NSS says,
The information gained from the religion question widely thought to have been inaccurate and misleading is used by government departments when deciding about allocation of resources. Religious groups have used it to justify privileges.
A majority ticked ‘Christian’ in the last census, yet we know that hardly any nominal Christians go to church, belong to any organised religious group, or understand much about the theology of the religion they claim. Many mistakenly think that being Christian is synonymous with being good.
The 2011 census will be the first that we can complete online. Between now and then, secularists like us will be trying to persuade people to think about how they fill in their forms. If you don’t want the church to continue to enjoy all the privileges it currently enjoys at public expense, don’t give them the ammunition. You might begin by adding the link below to your email signature.