Most of us scientists can cope with the wannabes desperately digging through the permutations and combinations in search of their very own perfect set of numbers.( They do it all the time, even though they should trust us to give stupid stats their true significance -- what is truth? )
It s only when that dumb and dislocating business forces a contravention of plain moral and ethical stupidity,that I draw the line.
That I call Parliament to redraw the line
So it seems did Jesus
The recent census and campaigns around its changes, focus on the vain attempt to try and measure something smaller than the size of mustard seed
That's OK BUT
when such a suspect scientific imperative comes to try to measure the depth of children's faith commitment it must be abandoned ,
Right here right now before the date is officially commemorated .
What I would like you to consider is that the current requirement to ask children their religion is bordering on obscene, Take the children off the religious page and revise that page to be clearer in testing intent and what it was intended to do and test attendance/ commitment.
Jesus Christ ( recorded 3 times in the NT) was very clear about trying to measure the size and focus of a child's faith .He condemned those who sought to discourage faith in children and why shouldn't we !
Read it ---( start at Matt 18:6 for a start- recorded in three gospels )
Maybe " baptisms, confirmations , attendance "would be better ( if not perfect) than this current almost useless ephemeral nonsense and counterproductive and destructive meddling out of Canberra.
On other confusions
1. Basic assumptions of the survey are wrong If the Committee consulted the psychological profession it would have ben told that all people are assumed to have a religion . Making the "no religion" box is a irrational construct to suit a lobbyist group . .
Why should the many who have no affiliation be forced to choose the "no religion group"?
Why not have a choice that makes sense ; " Don't know " box in line with normal surveys ...and also placed at the bottom to avoid lazy thinking responses etc
2. Canberra have dopily opened the door to donkey voters.
By placing it first the bureau have slipped up badly as scientists .Sure that first easy box is going to get more numbers his year than ever efore . big deal - what does it really mean ?
If it doesn't maybe Aussies care more for their kids and the need for faith of some kind than Census 21 realises
3.The questions don't test commitment which was and should still be the more objective and useful aim
For eg
1. In would help clarify the question of lapsed members, who is sending their children to church schools but is not an adherent etc etc.
2. It would provide a more sound stat for next time .Wise Australians recognize that Muslims adherents are growing and their influence too - not to be feared but to be understood .
.
Religion motivates so having " no religion "usually means you need like Robespierre ( who killed the church) to invent one
See at the end his hymn to reason . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0tafP8HOok
