the census is on tuesday the 7th of August :-) the aust. bureau of stats website (www.abs.gov.au) have some press releases about the issue of the census, religion (and jedi). Basically, yes there is a potential $1000 fine associated with knowingly supplying false information on a census, but they're also kind of admitting that successfully prosecuting someone over their supposed religious beliefs would be next to impossible - (just think of the bad publicity that would attract for a start ...) however, 'jedi' wouldn't become an official religion if 10,000 plus people put it down as their religion of choice anyway (which is the reason for the email thats floating around); because a) the religion must also have an established 'structure' - ie places of worship etc etc which a jedi religion doesn't (yet...); and b) (this is direct from the ABS press release - i bracketed the 'important' sentence) "The religion question is included in the census as religious organisations are the biggest providers of services, outside of government, in a number of areas such as schooling, health services, aged care services, and community support facilities. <<<The question is not designed to measure the degree of participation in particular religions and philosophies>>>. Rather, as many people access services in accord with their nominal religious affiliation, the statistics are highly useful for planning these services (eg many Catholics who do not actively participate in their religion send their children to Catholic schools). The religion question has been optional in all Australian censuses; this follows from a requirement in the Australian Constitution." so until we start to see some jedi schools & temples springing up around Australia, jedi won't quite cut it as an 'official' religion. it's a fun idea though :-) Brett Coster wrote: > Australian Bureau of Statistics has already made it known the "knowingly > supplying false information" on the census form here - due in August I > think - attracts a $1000 fine. > > And until Obi Wan sings in a Starwars movie, i refuse to declare allegiance. > The lad can sing, but. > > Anyway, I'm quite happy with "None", so long as i spell it ryt. Memo to > self, "None, not nun" > > Brett > > Who wonders if the "None/no religion" percentage in Australia will pass the > 20 percent mark in this census. In 1966 was 0.4%, in 1976 was 8.3%, in 1986 > was 12.7% in 1996 was 16.6%. > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On > > Behalf Of Ronn Blankenship > > Sent: Saturday, 2 June 2001 1:46 AM > > To: Recipient list suppressed > > Subject: Jedis Stand for the Census Count > > > > > > From Wired News: > > > > Jedis Stand for the Census Count > > > > An email thought to originate in New Zealand urges people to write "Jedi" > > in the religious affiliation box. > > > > 'Obi-Wan taught me mysticism, not St. John of the Cross.' > > > > Full story: > > > > <http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0,1284,44141,00.html> > > > > > >
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