Dear Glen,

"Would you also say that if people feel inclined to describe themselves as married if they are single, or 20 years old if they are actually 70"

Many people who are formally considered married are not married at all in their heart, and vice versa. As for age, there is no way to answer this question but with a lie, for we are not of any age, we are immortal - only our body ages.

"So why should they be free to describe themselves as Christians if they are not?"

It's a matter of self-defense. One is naturally free to describe themselves in any way they want, and it would be a lie anyway, because there is no way to truly describe who and what we really are. However, describing oneself as "Christian" is a good way of hiding in the crowd, should those census papers ever be handed to (or captured by) a wrong party.

"I just find all attempts to contaminate the accuracy of census information immoral"

How is it possible to contaminate something which is already impure and immoral?

Why isn't there an atheist or agnostic box? It would clear up the question of 'mmm am I a bit christian, nah not really'. Would make it succinct and clearer and would include people with such views. A box marked 'no religion' is an insult to atheists etc.

Pip66,

I think I already answered your question: the government is not interested in your views, they simply want to figure the exact amount to write on the cheques they send to the top 6-7 major religious organizations, which they seek to appease (with your tax-money of course). You may just as well tick "I believe we all come from the Magic Ultra-Violet Crow", nobody reads it anyway.

pip66,
Wed, 27 July, 2:16:56pm

You can write Atheist in the open boxes, under Religion (I think).
It will be counted in the No Religion statistics as well as Atheist classification in the fuller statistics
.