Census time

If you live in Aotearoa/New Zealand, which most of our readers do, it's time for the 5 yearly census.

The census papers have been delivered by mail - I received mine a few days ago. But most people filling out the census will do it online, with the easily accessed census website. It only takes a few minutes - I've done mine already in anticipation that I'll still be a living, breathing entity on the evening of March 7th.

One of the questions asked on the census deals with religion. It's likely that most readers of the NZ Skeptics newsletter are non religious, but how should you answer?

In the past, there have been various campaigns for filling in the question, and in 2001, 53,000 people answered Jedi as their religion. Unfortunately, Statistics NZ stated "Answer understood, but will not be counted". By the 2006 census, that number had fallen to around 20,000 people.

Non-religious people sometimes like to refer to themselves as Humanist, Rationalist, Atheist, Freethinker, Secularist or some other title. However, if you use these titles on the census you'll be counted in the category of “Other Religions, Belief and Philosophies”. This is unfortunate.

We think the best way to answer the question is simply to state you have no religion.

Some people were born into a religion, but now no longer see themselves as religious. The best way to answer is to choose the “no religion” option.

There are five good reasons to mark your census as “no religion”:

1. Let's get it right – The New Zealand Census is only held every five years and it collects important data on our nation. It's critical that we get it right.
2. Fairness in public funding – when religious organisations are attributed more support than they actually have, they receive an unfair amount of public funding.
3. Fairness in voice and influence – incorrect data also gives religious organisations a stronger voice, and more influence than they actually deserve.
4. Let's be honest – New Zealanders deserve honest answers about the views we hold about religion.
5. Do it for you – Marking ‘No Religion' in this year's census can be a moment of personal clarity and liberation for you.

The current census data does not accurately reflect our country's religious views

This is because a large number of New Zealanders mark that they belong to a religion in the census when in fact they no longer really practise or hold those beliefs.

Census data is used by members of parliament, government, and many other organisations to inform a wide range of important decisions from the amount of public funding religious organisations receive, to the voice and influence religion is given in public affairs and media.

We need the census to accurately reflect what New Zealanders truly believe.

So, when you come to the question on religion, this is your chance to think carefully and decide whether you still see yourself as religious.

If you don't see yourself as religious anymore, mark ‘No Religion'.

Are you still religious?

This census, you'll be asked whether you hold religious beliefs, and it's an important chance for you to think carefully about whether you still do.

If you're no longer religious, mark ‘No Religion' in the census.

This item was adapted from the New Zealand Humanists page, with thanks to Iain Middleton and the Humanists Australia.