Jon-Dukes Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 So it seems that from the last Census "Jedi" is the fourth largest religion in the UK. Will you be joining the masses this time round and putting your faith in The Force?? (For those who don't know; Jediism)
Popular Post elsiegee40 Posted March 1, 2011 Popular Post Posted March 1, 2011 (edited) Blow jediism, I'm sorely tempted to put edugeek as my religion on this census... now that'd be one in the eye for wikipedia if enough of us did it! I have spent quite a large amount of time researching my family tree and the census information has been invaluable; it does concern me that results are skewed by people's sense of humour, but then it was probably ever thus! Edited March 1, 2011 by elsiegee40 5
Jon-Dukes Posted March 1, 2011 Author Posted March 1, 2011 I could also suggest the Church of Apple. I think we would have a lot of hardcore followers but also quite a large opposition.
sonofsanta Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 I could also suggest the Church of Apple. I think we would have a lot of hardcore followers but also quite a large opposition. Don't start on them, those lot are worse than Scientologists for tying spiritual gain to ridiculous and foundless financial contributions! 3
LeMarchand Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 As there appear to be more Jedi than Sikhs, I wonder if anyone could claim religious discrimination if told to remove their lightsaber? BTW, any Jedi should be wary of Scotland where a number of the population are Sith...
pete Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 I was thinking of going Pastafarian this time round. Getting "Noodly Appendage" into the Census would be mildly amusing. As a historian, the fact that people mess around with random religions for humourous purposes rather than going "er.......oh, C of E....that'll do" is interesting of itself. That's partly because it's 2011 and the info they're asking for is already sat in a .gov database, they're just pathetic at (or it's illegal for them to) correlating it.
GREED Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 Right, was it all myth and blowlocks that because of the number who put Jedi last time, that it has to be recognised as a religion on government forms??? Having said that I will be doing that!
elsiegee40 Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 Right, was it all myth and blowlocks that because of the number who put Jedi last time, that it has to be recognised as a religion on government forms??? Having said that I will be doing that! Well if it is true, I'm definitely starting the campaign for edugeek as a religion... edugeek on every form
aerospacemango Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 I am a Jedi, and have been for many years. At the LAST census, it was worth it, just to see the look on the census takers face! Do I regret it? NO Do I think it skews the results? NO. My religion is just as valid as any other, whether it be Sikh, Christian, Muslim, or Scientology. It is MY belief that ALL religions are based on stories, handed down over time, from generation to generation, and that none of it is actually true! ***I REPEAT....THIS IS JUST MY VIEW*** (So, no fatwa's, thank you very much!) 1
Domino Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 I expect the church of google to be an option this year... » The Church of Google
SneakyBeaky Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 So it seems that from the last Census "Jedi" is the fourth largest religion in the UK Its not an official Religion. Officials from the Office for National Statistics pointed out that this merely means that it has been registered as a common answer to the "religion" question and that this does not confer on it the status of official recognition.
SneakyBeaky Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 Do I think it skews the results? NO. If you have no religion then it will skew the results as your vote for Jedi will mean you are not included in the list of those who have no religion.
Popular Post localzuk Posted March 1, 2011 Popular Post Posted March 1, 2011 Atheists should be proud and simply answer 'no religion'. None of this 'jedi' nonsense, as it gives merit to their question in the first place. I'm sick of seeing so much of UK life focussed on religion. Schools are still legally required to hold religious assemblies for Pete's sake! Ridiculous in a country where quite simply most people don't practice a religion. Only people who follow a religion should put one. 7
elsiegee40 Posted March 1, 2011 Posted March 1, 2011 Atheists should be proud and simply answer 'no religion'. None of this 'jedi' nonsense, as it gives merit to their question in the first place. I'm sick of seeing so much of UK life focussed on religion. Schools are still legally required to hold religious assemblies for Pete's sake! Ridiculous in a country where quite simply most people don't practice a religion. Only people who follow a religion should put one. I follow edugeek religiously
MK-2 Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 I follow edugeek religiously trust me, you ain't finding three wise men here 1
LeMarchand Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 If you have no religion then it will skew the results as your vote for Jedi will mean you are not included in the list of those who have no religion. I can't see why this would be an issue, apart from to Militant Atheists. Atheists should be proud and simply answer 'no religion'. None of this 'jedi' nonsense, as it gives merit to their question in the first place. I'm sick of seeing so much of UK life focussed on religion. Schools are still legally required to hold religious assemblies for Pete's sake! Ridiculous in a country where quite simply most people don't practice a religion. Only people who follow a religion should put one. Surely the question provides proof that the country is mainly irreligious? (Assuming it is).
Jon-Dukes Posted March 2, 2011 Author Posted March 2, 2011 Surely the question provides proof that the country is mainly irreligious? (Assuming it is). I completely agree with this. The previous census stated that 70% of the country were Christian. If people can complain that putting Jedi, Edugeek, Google or whatever is sending the results askew surely they need to take the Christianity figure with a pinch of salt also as many people will put this blindly without thinking about it. I'm sure my parents will be putting Christianity (unless I can convince them of "The Force") although they do not own a Bible and won't be able to recall the last time they were in church. 1
localzuk Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 I can't see why this would be an issue, apart from to Militant Atheists. As the media has reported - the question ends up being used as a basis for funding for various things, and for the basis of whether religion should feature in laws. So, it does matter as 'No religion' will be what is looked at, compared to 'religious' etc... Surely the question provides proof that the country is mainly irreligious? (Assuming it is). No, it won't, as people will be classed as religious with their silly answers rather than non-religious.
LeMarchand Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 As the media has reported - the question ends up being used as a basis for funding for various things, and for the basis of whether religion should feature in laws. So, it does matter as 'No religion' will be what is looked at, compared to 'religious' etc... Again: so what? The only people getting upset by the concept of religion as part of life are Militant Atheists types who are almost, well religious in their dislike of any sort of faith. No, it won't, as people will be classed as religious with their silly answers rather than non-religious. My point is that without the question being asked, how can anyone claim to have data about how many religious people there are? It's not necessarily a foolproof solution, but it's better than just guessing.
localzuk Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 Again: so what? The only people getting upset by the concept of religion as part of life are Militant Atheists types who are almost, well religious in their dislike of any sort of faith. It doesn't matter about being 'upset'. It is about having a democratic government that follows the makeup of their country, and not giving undue recognition to groups that shouldn't get it. Eg. why should schools with low numbers of religious students still be forced to have religious assemblies? It makes no sense. And lets not get into the nonsense about 'militant' atheists being almost religious in their dislike of faith. That's a pointless argument which simply cannot be won. My point is that without the question being asked, how can anyone claim to have data about how many religious people there are? It's not necessarily a foolproof solution, but it's better than just guessing. The question is fine. Its just that people should answer it honestly, and not with stupid comedy answers.
LosOjos Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 (edited) ***WARNING - PERSONAL OPINION*** In this day and age, I don't see why the religion question is at all neccessary - if we were truly a non-discriminatory country, then religion wouldn't even come in to, well, anything! At the end of the day, people will make their choices based on their beliefs regardless of the situation, I don't see why the government has to wade in with statistics to point out things like "oh, well there are more Christians than Sikhs, so Sikhs are still a minority" - so what? Why does it matter? It just seems to encourage discrimination to me. Edited March 2, 2011 by LosOjos grammar
witch Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 Personally I think the question is not 'fine' My religion or lack of is my personal business. The government can get numbers of adherents/attendees from the actual churches of the various faiths but I object to being labelled. AFAIC it is none of anyone's business what I do as long as it isn't illegal! As for edugeek - if having a religion means keeping in contact regularly with the elders and following advice - asking for help etc - then I am a member!
MK-2 Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 ***WARNING - PERSONAL OPINION*** In this day and age, I don't see why the religion question is at all neccessary - if we were truly a non-discriminatory country, then religion wouldn't even come in to, well, anything! At the end of the day, people will make their choices based on their beliefs regardless of the situation, I don't see why the government has to wade in with statistics to point out things like "oh, well there are more Christians than Sikhs, so Sikhs are still a minority" - so what? Why does it matter? It just seems to encourage discrimination to me. the same could be said about all the "equal opportunities" things. why should it matter what ethnicity i am, if i am right for the job i am right. all these things are to label and pidgeon hole us. if the government were to suddenly say "due to the fact those of a jedi religion can carry lethal light sabre weapons we will be imposing a £50 a month insurance premium on them" i bet nobody would jokingly choose jedi
LosOjos Posted March 2, 2011 Posted March 2, 2011 the same could be said about all the "equal opportunities" things. why should it matter what ethnicity i am, if i am right for the job i am right. all these things are to label and pidgeon hole us. I totally agree with you on that one, it's a farce. For instance, on Sandwell Council job application forms (I haven't looked at one in months so they may have changed now), they actually started with the usual "we are an equal opportunities employer" etc., then ended with (and I'm not making this up!) "we are particularly looking for black, disabled women, as we are under represented in this area". And that was on all application forms - surely you're looking for the best person for the job, not somebody to tick the boxes you're lacking!
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