The "No Religion" Pledge

Census Campaign 2011

Did the 2001 Census overstate the number of Christians and understate the number of non-religious?

The 2001 Census asked the question 'What is your religion?":-

2001 Census Question on Religion
Office of National Statistics results of What is your religion question:



As the BHA says:-

 'What is your religion?', the question in the 2001 census used in England and Wales gave a far higher figure for ‘Christian’ than all other surveys. The 'Christian' box was selected by 71.74% of respondents in England and 71.90% in Wales.

The Scottish figure, where respondents were asked about the religion they were brought up in, as well as their current religion, showed significantly fewer respondents ticking 'Christian': 65.08%, in spite of far higher figures for Church attendance in Scotland.

The corresponding figures for ‘None’ were: England 14.6%, Wales 18.63% and Scotland 27.55%. A closed question which assumed that respondents would have a religion undoubtedly inflated the number of respondents ticking a religious box and reduced the number of those ticking 'none'.

The figures were probably also distorted by the fact that the question appeared immediately after a series of questions on ethnicity, which may well have encouraged people to respond more on the basis of culture than actual beliefs or religious affiliation.

Ethnicity question before Religion question in 2001 Census

Other surveys tend to give around 30 – 40% non-religious, rising to 60 – 65% for young people. See BHA selection of statistics on religion and belief in the UK.

The BHA also says "Apart from the inaccuracy of the data collected on religious affiliation, there are real, practical problems with the use of such data. The Census data on religion says nothing about the actual religious practice, involvement, belief or belonging of the population. However, both central and local government use such data in resource allocation and for targeting equality initiatives. And the figure stating that 72% of the population are ‘Christian’ has been used in a variety of ways, such as to justify the continuing presence of Bishops in the House of Lords, to justify the state-funding of faith schools (and their expansion), to justify and increase religious broadcasting and to exclude the voices of humanists in Parliament and elsewhere.

The question is not fit for the purposes for which it was included, for the first time, in 2001."

So what does the Religion question really measure? See the BHA Census Campaign.

Why is the religion question in the Census 2011 misleading?

As the Census Campaign says:-
Ask a silly question…

In the 2001 Census, a highly leading question “What is your religion?” was included.

By assuming that all participants held a religious belief, the question captured some kind of loose cultural affiliation, and as a result over 70% responded ‘Christian’, a far higher percentage than nearly every other significant survey or poll on religious belief in the past decade.

Unfortunately, the Office of National Statistics has decided to reuse this same flawed question in the 2011 census:-

The Religion question in the 2011 Census

More about the Dorset Humanists Census Campaign.

Donate to Dorset Humanists Census Campaign




The Census asks "What is your religion?" 


Dorset Humanists Census Campaign says that if you are not religious and live in Dorset, tick the 'No Religion' box. 





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British Humanist Assocation - 61,000 Census Campaign leaflets - 10,000 for Dorset






Andrew Copson, CEO of BHA with 61,000 Census Campaign leaflets 
Dorset Humanists will distribute 10,000 Census Campaign leaflets in Bournemouth Square and to Dorset homes. If you can spare an hour or two to help in March 2011 do contact us.

Our recommendation

If you’re not religious we recommend ticking ‘No religion’ for the Census 2011 question on religion.

Ticking ‘No religion’ is better than leaving the question unanswered because this way you count. And it’s better than answering with the religion you were brought up in if you don’t believe in it anymore and don’t think organised religion speaks for you.

Dorset Humanists aim is to increase the 18% of the Dorset population who said they had 'No Religion' in 2001 Census to well over 20% in the 2011 census. Read more: Census Campaign.http://census-campaign.org.uk/ or visit Facebook campaign.

Just over a third (36%) of the British population has a Humanist outlook on life.

Dorset Humanists have been discussing efforts to promote the Census Campaign. I've revisited the 2007 Ipsos Mori Poll to see who has a Humanist outlook. Most effective targeting of leaflets would be to younger and middle-aged people (up to 54) and those with children.

The poll is reproduced below largely unedited:

Humanist Beliefs

Published:8 January 2007
Fieldwork:26 - 30 October 2006
Ipsos MORI recently conducted a survey on behalf of the British Humanist Association. The objective of the research was to gauge the levels of Humanist related opinion that exist amongst the British population.
Just over a third (36%) of the British population has a Humanist outlook on life.
The 36% who show a Humanist outlook on life is calculated as those choosing the following three statements:
  • Scientific and other evidence provides the best way to understand the universe
  • Human nature by itself gives us an understanding of what is right and wrong
  • What is right and wrong depends on the effects on people and the consequences for society and the world
44% say the government pays too much attention to the leaders of other countries and 42% to religious groups and leaders
Asked to select from a list of groups that people might think the government pays too much attention to, 44% chose 'Leaders of Other Countries' and 42% chose 'Religious Groups and Leaders'. The list also included 'Newspaper Headlines' (35%), 'Big Business' (34%), 'The Royal Family' (20%), 'Trade Unions' (17%) and 'Ordinary People' (3%).
What happens after death? Opinion is split
Another question found that 41% endorsed the statement 'This life is the only life we have and death is the end of our personal existence'. Fractionally more — 45% — held the view that 'When we die we go on and still exist in another way'. Of those choosing all three of the 'Humanist' answers, more said this was our only life (54%) than believed in some sort of continued existence (38%). And of those seeing this as our only life, 79% chose two or all three of the 'Humanist' answers to the other questions. Just over a fifth of those who endorsed the need for religion in answers to other questions nevertheless also said this was our only life (22%).

Topline Results

  • Ipsos MORI interviewed a representative quota sample of 975 adults aged 15+ across Great Britain.
  • Interviews were carried out face-to-face, in home, using laptops, as part of the Ipsos MORI Omnibus.
  • Fieldwork was conducted on one wave between 26-30 October 2006.
  • Results are based on all respondents (975) unless otherwise stated.
  • Results are weighted to the known population profile of Great Britain.
  • An asterisk (*) denotes a finding of less than 0.5%, but greater than zero.
  • Where figures do not add up to 100, this is due to multiple coding or computer rounding.
  • For each set of statements the Humanist standpoint is shown in italics on the corresponding table.
Q1 I am going to read out some pairs of statements to you. I'd like you to tell me on balance which one in each pair most closely matches your view. You might find that the statements overlap a little, however please tell me which one you feel most closely matches your view. (If you had to choose just one of the statements which one best matches your view?)
%
Scientific and other evidence provides the best way to understand the universe62
Religious beliefs are needed for a complete understanding of the universe22
Neither of these10
Don't Know6
Q2 Which of these statements best matches your view? Again, just tell me the letter that best fits your view. (If you had to choose just one of the statements which one best matches your view?)
%
Human nature by itself gives us an understanding of what is right and wrong62
People need religious teachings in order to understand what is right and wrong27
Neither of these7
Don't Know4
Q3 Which of these statements best matches your view? Again, just tell me the letter that best fits your view. (If you had to choose just one of the statements which one best matches your view?)
%
This life is the only life we have and death is the end of our personal existence41
When we die we go on and still exist in another way45
Neither of these5
Don't Know8
Q4 Now a set of three statements, which one of these best matches your view? Again, just tell me the letter that best fits your view. (If you had to choose just one of the statements which one best matches your view?)
%
What is right and wrong is unchanging and should never be challenged13
What is right and wrong depends on the effects on people and the consequences for society and the world65
What is right and wrong is basically just a matter of personal preference15
None of these2
Don't Know5
Q5 People often comment on the level of attention the Government pays to certain groups in society. Which, if any, of the following groups of people do you think the Government pays too much attention to?
%
Religious groups and leaders42
Trade Unions17
Newspaper headlines35
Big business34
Leaders of other countries44
The Royal Family20
Ordinary people3
None of these9

Further Analysis

Humanist Tendencies%
Express no Humanist Tendencies at Q1, Q2 and Q413
Express at some Humanist Tendency at Q1, Q2 and Q4 (one or two out of the three)51
Express only Humanist Tendencies at Q1, Q2 and Q436
Those who choose only Humanist statements (at Q1, Q2 and Q4) — 'Humanists' by this survey's definition — are more prevalent among:
  • Younger and middle-aged people (aged 15-54) (41%) compared to those aged 55 and over (26%)
  • Those in social classes ABC1 (43%) compared to those in C2DE (28%)
  • Those with children in their household (43%) compared to those without (33%)
  • Those that live in the South (41%) compared to those that live in the Midlands (30%), with those in the North in between (37%)
  • Those working full- or part-time (42%) compared to those not working (29%)
  • Those who read 'broadsheets' (51%) compared to those that read tabloids (33%)
  • Those with qualifications of GCSE equivalent and above (42%) compared to those with no formal qualifications (20%).

Ancestor's Trail walk over Quantock Hills, Somerset celebrates Darwin & Evolution

This pilgrimage to the darwin (sic) /dawn of time is run with the help of the 'Taunton Humanist Group' and 'British Humanist Association'

Chris Street says 
Jane & Dennis, Chris & Sharon from Dorset Humanists went to 2010 Ancestor's Trail walk in Somerset. It was both a fun ... and educational pilgrimage! A great way to meet Humanists & Sympathisers from all parts of Britain.


The Ancestor's Trail is an annual celebration of the simple and ingenious truth that all life on Earth is related. This secular 'pilgrimage’ traces the course of evolution by following converging footpaths representing the branches of Charles Darwin's Tree of Life. We warmly extend an open invitation to join us. The Trail is inspired by Richard Dawkins' book “The Ancestor's Tale”, subtitled “A Pilgrimage to the Dawn of Life”. The book traces the evolutionary history of our species, and many others, back to our origins 3.7 billion years ago.



Baba Brinkman performs his
‘Rap Guide to Evolution’
at Kilve Beach in 2010.

The Human line is the longest (13.5 miles), but you can choose from any one of the shorter routes you will find on the Google map. Each branch will rendezvous with the main trail at specific times (see map) such that the ever-increasing band of 'pilgrims' arrives together at the Dawn of Life ~ Kilve beach, appropriately famous for its fossils. This year, along the trail, rendezvous points will be marked by appropriate words of wisdom, music and performance.
The pilgrims on the human trail start walking at 11am and everyone arrives back at Kilve at around 5.30pm.


This will be our second biological pilgrimage ~ a secular celebration of our shared origins with all life on earth. To achieve this we draped Darwin's tree of life over the Quantock Hills in Somerset, lining it up with its many footpaths. Symbolically, participants walk back 3.7 billion years along Darwin’s tree of life re-uniting with our ancestors as they go. At the finish we throw a party for what has to be the most spectacularly belated birthday celebration on earth!  Walkers start journeys from the ends of the trail branches so that our ever increasing band of 'pilgrims' arrive together at a place presenting biogenesis. http://www.ancestorstrail.net/.
Along the trail you’ll come across a range of scientific, philosophical and musical contributions, including at the trail end, a well deserved cup of 'primordial' soup!




Chris Jenord the Ancestors' Trail organiser writes:-

Dear All,

This year's Ancestor's Trail (Sun 29th May) http://www.ancestorstrail.net/ is planned to be bigger and better. However, we remain a small event in its early stages, with all our funding being raised via ticket sales/public investment. To this end, we have a adopted a Crowdfunder pitch because it allows folks to secure tickets/invest online. As organisers, we need access to this funding early to book coaches, acts and facilities. Hopefully this will also help us avoid the personal loss we incurred last year.

This is currently the only way for participants to book/invest in the event. However, these pitches only run for a fixed term, and ours is approaching its end date.

Our pitch finishes on:
30th March 2011.  http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/investment/ancestor-s-trail-72.

Interested, but can't make it? Many people have really been really enthusiastic about the event, but can't make it on the day. Our Crowdfunder pitch now provides a way that you can support us without attending. Simply follow the pitch link above and invest as if you were coming. As you'll see from the rewards column, if you don't turn up on the day, we'll automatically send you a video of the event and/or merchandise as a thank you.

Crowdfunder pitches are designed so that if the target sum is not reached, everyone gets their money back, so you really have got NOTHING TO LOSE by investing. However, as you will see on our pitch, we currently have a long way to go.



Chris Street says:



If they don't raise £1800 Ancestor's Trail will give the money you've donated back to you. Here's how it works.

Thank you.

Hope to see you in May,

Chris Jenord.

Stop press: Ancestor's Trail will be advertising at the Colston Hall when Brian Cox and Robin Ince (and others) perform their Uncaged Monkeys show. We are also thrilled to accept a donation from A.C Grayling.   









Ed Byrne discusses the Census

Comedian Ed Byrne discusses the Census, the religion question, and why if you're not religious you should tick "No religion"

The Power of Social Networks - Census Campaign

From the BHA Newsletter 7/2/11

The power of online social networks is endlessly discussed and sometimes exaggerated... The buzz generated by interactive websites is responsible for a big proportion of British Humanist Association (BHA) traffic. In the last month Facebook and Reddit alone were responsible for 40% of all incoming traffic to the Census Campaign site. That's four out of ten users - signing the pledge, making a donation - who might not have found us if it weren't for those two sites.

On the main BHA website, too, the top four sites bringing visitors are Facebook (the social network), Stumbleupon (content sharing), Twitter (microblogging), and Wikipedia (the socially-edited encyclopaedia). None of these sites emulates a traditional publishing model. Instead, these sites all exist in their entirety because web users themselves make and share content.

To spread the news about the Census Campaign:-

- talk to us directly on Twitter (@BHANews) including the Census Campaign team (@CensusCampaign) and re-tweet our messages to your followers

- share our links via facebook.com/humanism and facebook.com/censuscampaign so that - without being particularly pushy - your interested friends might be prompted to take part as well.

- get a virtual sticker for your accounts via Twibbon

Even if you're not a big social networker you definitely use email. At the bottom of every page of the Census Campaign website there is an email button through which you can quickly and easily send an email to anyone in your address book (we can even fetch your contacts for you).

Dorset Humanists, please give it a go and help spread the word today!