Data Diviners Urge Aussies to Keep Faith in Census and Ignore Digital Crusades

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has issued a timely reminder that the census is not a platform for social media crusades or digital posturing. The agency’s plea to Australians to ignore online battles over how to answer this month’s question on religion comes as no surprise, given the increasingly complex landscape of faith and non-faith in modern Australia.

Since 1911, the number of people professing a faith has been steadily declining. The most recent census figures show that 42% of respondents identified as having no religion, with Catholicism being the largest single affiliation at 5.1 million adherents, followed closely by Anglicanism at 2.5 million. This trend is not unique to Australia; globally, there has been a significant shift towards secularization and a growing number of people identifying as non-religious.

The ABS’s statement serves as a reminder that the census question on religion measures a person’s religious affiliation, which may be distinct from their practice or participation in religious activities. This nuanced distinction is crucial in understanding the complex interplay between faith and culture in modern societies.

Campaigns urging people to list “no religion” or mark themselves as adherents of specific denominations are often driven by ideological agendas rather than a genuine concern for data accuracy. The National Secular Lobby’s push, which encourages people to mark “no religion,” is one such example. While it is essential to respect individuals’ choices and ensure they feel comfortable expressing their beliefs, it is equally important not to undermine the integrity of the census process.

The issue of the census question on religion is far from new. In 2001 and 2006, Australians were famously urged to list “Jedi” as their preferred faith, with almost 70,000 people declaring themselves Force-wielders in the former year. This highlights the complexities of categorizing individuals’ beliefs and affiliations.

The trend towards secularization has significant implications for public policy, education, and community engagement. As Australia becomes increasingly diverse, policymakers must grapple with the challenges of accommodating multiple faiths and non-faith perspectives. The ABS’s statement serves as a timely reminder that accurate data collection is essential in addressing these issues.

Misinformation about the census question on religion has been circulating online, including claims that Judaism has been removed from the list of automatically tickable religions. However, this claim is unfounded, with almost 100,000 people identifying as Jewish adherents in the 2021 census. This highlights the dangers of spreading disinformation and the importance of verifying information before sharing it.

Australians preparing to participate in this month’s census would do well to remember that accuracy and sincerity are essential when answering the question on religion. The ABS’s statement serves as a reminder that this is not about taking sides or joining digital crusades, but rather about contributing to a vital exercise in data collection. By doing so, Australians can help policymakers and researchers understand the complex landscape of faith and non-faith in modern society.

In an increasingly polarized online environment, it is more crucial than ever that we prioritize accuracy, nuance, and respect when engaging with sensitive topics like religion. The ABS’s statement is a timely reminder that our collective well-being depends on our ability to engage in informed, thoughtful discussions about issues that affect us all.