Posted: Jul 27, 2011 1:37 pm
Little news item today, saying that in the upcoming Australian census, they won't recognise an answer in the "religion" box if you put "Jedi" or "Pastafarian"...
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/census-wont-count-jedis-or-pastaferians/story-e6freonf-1226103025136
The Australian athiests organisations tried to have a "no religion" option included in the religion question, but the government wouldn't agree...you can leave it blank, but that doesn't count in the census as being an athiest. The athiests said, quite rightly, that many people just mark down whatever religion they grew up with, even if they don't follow it themselves, and this allows churches and religious groups to claim special funding by pointing to how many "christians" there are around the place.
What's even worse is the blasphemy that followed in the article...
The sheer ignorance of a dearly held religious belief is astounding!! Pastafarians aren't "worshippers of pasta", they are believers in the Flying Spaghetti Monster (may his noodly appendages bless us all)...
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/census-wont-count-jedis-or-pastaferians/story-e6freonf-1226103025136
YOU may be a Jedi or even a pastaferian, just don't expect it to be acknowledged in this year's census.
On August 9, millions of Australians, whether living at home, in tankers, on submarines or in remote communities, will be asked more than 60 questions on their profession, religion, income and the makeup of their family.
At the launch of the 2011 census in Sydney tonight, Federal Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten asked people to keep the jokes to a minimum.
"In 2006, 55,000 australians marked themselves down as Jedi. That's not a recognised religion in Australia," Mr Shorten told reporters.
The Australian athiests organisations tried to have a "no religion" option included in the religion question, but the government wouldn't agree...you can leave it blank, but that doesn't count in the census as being an athiest. The athiests said, quite rightly, that many people just mark down whatever religion they grew up with, even if they don't follow it themselves, and this allows churches and religious groups to claim special funding by pointing to how many "christians" there are around the place.
What's even worse is the blasphemy that followed in the article...
"You hear all sorts of discussion in the social media about calling yourself a pastaferian, which is a worshipper of pasta.
The sheer ignorance of a dearly held religious belief is astounding!! Pastafarians aren't "worshippers of pasta", they are believers in the Flying Spaghetti Monster (may his noodly appendages bless us all)...