Irish atheists want to be recognized in census

Atheist group advises those on census forms

MOLLY MULDOON,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 4:30 AM

Updated Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 4:45 AM

Larger Text

E-mail

6 Comments

The 2011 Census in Ireland will take place in April

A campaign has been launched by Irish atheists to have the preference to mark their religious preference in the next census, due to take place on Sunday April 10, 2011.

“Honest to Godless” has been launched by Atheist Ireland, a group devoted to the separation of church and state in Ireland.

“You won’t write in your childhood home address unless you still live there,” the appeal of the Atheist Ireland website says.

“So don’t write in your childhood religion unless you still really practice it.”

The group maintains that it is vital there is an accurate account of the number of atheists as it could influence government spending and policies relating to education and health.

The majority of primary schools in Ireland are church owned, despite being funded by the department of education.

Options available to those filling out the religion question on the Irish census form include Roman Catholic; Church of Ireland; Presbyterian; Methodist or Islamic faiths; or no religion.

Members of other religions may fill out the details in a separate box provided.

The group has called on atheists to tick the box marked “no religion: on the census form.
“Please don’t write in ‘Atheist’. It’s not a religion,” the website explains.

“That makes some people mistakenly think that atheism is a religion, and creates the impression that there are far fewer atheists than is actually the case.”

Data from the 2007 census shows that “No religion” was second most commonly ticked next to “Roman” Catholic. Figures had rose by 48,000 since 2002.

Nster.com

E-mail

6 Comments

See all comments

BishopSean | Jan 13, 2011, 07:01 PM EST

There are legally Churches of Atheism in the USA. Also considered "Non-theistic" religions by SECUS are Taoism, Buddhism, and Secular Humanism. It's all about Worldvisions and how they deliniate peoples thinking and by extension their actions.

Report abuse

sirpeter | Jan 11, 2011, 10:19 PM EST

Nicomax...I cast you to the fires of hell..hope you enjoy a very hot curry every day..ha ha

Report abuse

2BorNot2B | Jan 11, 2011, 04:36 PM EST

Atheists are already being recognized EVERYWHERE, they even have a dedicated holiday to celebrate their affiliation to nothing, or no one in particular. It is officially celebrated on April 1 every year! April Fools Day.

Report abuse

BigJohnO | Jan 11, 2011, 03:09 PM EST

Exactly Nico. The USA census form had a lot of other extraneaous crap on it. My only answer on form was two persons. That is absolutely all the the US Constitution calls for.

Report abuse

jacersagain | Jan 11, 2011, 03:09 PM EST

Ireland should quickly rid themselves of wasteful politicians and hand back the country to the Church. Education (bring back the Brothers), hospitals (bring back the Nuns) and banks (bring back the Charities) will be better managed and staffed at considerable less cost. The Church is reinvigorating itself right now and should integrate state and church affairs completely (what a stupid mistake it was to separate). Count everybody, even the atheists, so that the Church can target them and save their souls.

Report abuse

Nicomax | Jan 11, 2011, 11:46 AM EST

Ireland should quickly rid themselves from any church control of public expenditure. The role of the church has been diminishing over the years, and complete separation from state is now in order. Count everybody, and do you really need to know what, if any, religious preference they have?

Report abuse