Sheffield United religion - 2011 census

[Linz]

The next national census will be distributed to all households in the UK in 2011 and it is very possible that a question about religion will be included on there.

After all the stuff about Jedis in 2001 (which made them the fourth biggest religious group in the UK), there is absolutely nothing to stop us listing our religion as "Sheffield United" - the question as to your religion is not one they can fine you for giving "incorrect information".

So unless you have any particular faith that takes precedent, will anyone else be tempted to list their religion as the Blades?

There is no particular point, other than shenanigans

 

[SwissBlade]

The next national census will be distributed to all households in the UK in 2011 and it is very possible that a question about religion will be included on there.

After all the stuff about Jedis in 2001 (which made them the fourth biggest religious group in the UK), there is absolutely nothing to stop us listing our religion as "Sheffield United" - the question as to your religion is not one they can fine you for giving "incorrect information".

So unless you have any particular faith that takes precedent, will anyone else be tempted to list their religion as the Blades?

There is no particular point, other than shenanigans

Fantastic, I'll be doing this!

 

[Autumn]

I was a Jedi, but I shall change to United for the love of the team.

 

[Darren]

The next national census will be distributed to all households in the UK in 2011 and it is very possible that a question about religion will be included on there.

After all the stuff about Jedis in 2001 (which made them the fourth biggest religious group in the UK), there is absolutely nothing to stop us listing our religion as "Sheffield United" - the question as to your religion is not one they can fine you for giving "incorrect information".

So unless you have any particular faith that takes precedent, will anyone else be tempted to list their religion as the Blades?

There is no particular point, other than shenanigans

This probably belongs in the off topic sectiion, but the religion question is a particular bee in my bonnet. At the last census, the way it was phrased was "what is your religion" and then a whole list of options with "Christianity" at the top and "none" at the bottom (pus a space to fill in your own option".

For white Anglo-Saxon people who don't really think about religion, there is strong evidence that many ticked "Christianity" as the default option which meant that the census showed the UK as 72% Christian, which is a massive over estimate when all other evidence is taken into account, but which gives the churches ammunition when seeking public subsidies as they can potray the UK as a "Christian country".

There was a campaign before this census for the question to be changed to "do you have a religion?" with a yes and a no option and then a seperate question "if, yes, which" and then the list. This would almost certainly lead to a dramatic drop of self described Christians to around the 40-50% mark, which all surveys suggest is the true figure.

The government refused to do this on the grounds that there "wasn't room on the form". Which us militant atheists think is frankly a load of bollocks and more to do with the government wanting to keep this idea of the UK as a predominantly Christian nation and hence justify their policies on faith schools and getting the churches involved in social services etc.

That's my two pennorth and, no I won't be describing my religion as Sheffield United, it will most definitely be a clear and resounding NONE!

 

[Highbury_Blade]

You won't have any option to put anything other than blades as i am a Sith Lord and will trick your mind into doing it.

 

[Linz]

The British Humanist Society are still campaigning for a two-part question as far as I know.

Details: http://www.humanism.org.uk/campaigns/census-2011

That's my two pennorth and, no I won't be describing my religion as Sheffield United, it will most definitely be a clear and resounding NONE!

The more I think about it, the more Sheffield United is a religion.

I've been to Bramall Lane more than I've ever been in a subscribed religious building. I place my belief in a manager and starting XI, whose existence cannot be open to debate (imagine conjuring up Chris Morgan as an imaginary friend!) And my belief is based on a massive amount of hope and faith. It's a damned site cheaper than Scientology too!

But yes, mainly I want something more interesting to say than none

 

[Big Mart]

This probably belongs in the off topic sectiion, but the religion question is a particular bee in my bonnet.

We know, we've heard you bore the tits off us often enough about the subject to know full well your views on religion.

Let's just say that most Christians and Christian worshippers just go about it quietly and without fuss. It tends to be the Atheists among us who get all excited and upset when the God subject's brought up.

If you don't like it Dazzler well fair enough but ffs, so long as they don't go round blowing folks up in the name of it, what harm does it do to tick a box stating that you're a "white Anglo-Saxon christian"?

Apologies for getting all serious on what was meant as a jokey thread but really, is there any need for the rant

:gallop:

 

[Highbury_Blade]

We know, we've heard you bore the tits off us often enough about the subject to know full well your views on religion.

If you don't like it Dazzler well fair enough but ffs, so long as they don't go round blowing folks up in the name of it, what harm does it do to tick a box stating that you're a "white Anglo-Saxon christian"?

Why the snidey comment?

I'm sure darren will answer it more eloquently than i will, but he's already stated it earlier in the thread some of the potential effects. If you don't want him to bore you why indulge him?

If it's not going to do any harm would you happily tick the White Muslim/Jewish/Sikh boxes?

 

[Northyorksblade]

I have two sisters, one of whom is a deacon and one married to a vicar. Both of them got religion in their 20s and call themselves born again Christians. I found United later in life too and always describe myself as a born again Blade, so I think you're right Linz.

 

[Linz]

If you don't like it Dazzler well fair enough but ffs, so long as they don't go round blowing folks up in the name of it, what harm does it do to tick a box stating that you're a "white Anglo-Saxon christian"?

None, if that's what you are... but if you aren't, I think the inference is that you shouldn't feel obliged to.

I personally have no religion beyond United, but cannot state with enough conviction that the idea of religion is wrong... I don't think there's an option for fence-sitting agnostics, which is why I thought I'd start this as an alternative

Apologies for getting all serious on what was meant as a jokey thread but really, is there any need for the rant

I do suppose it's on-topic, as if you're listing Sheffield United as a religion, you obviously don't have a particularly strong enough feeling about any of the other ones to put them down first.

If you don't want to say "Sheffield United" as a religion, it's still interesting to find out why not

EDIT: And what I do find interesting, is that there is no one definition in UK law as to what a religion is. Which leads to rather interesting debates like this one: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmstand/e/st050629/pm/50629s01.htm

 

[Darren]

The British Humanist Society are still campaigning for a two-part question as far as I know.

Details: http://www.humanism.org.uk/campaigns/census-2011



The more I think about it, the more Sheffield United is a religion.

I've been to Bramall Lane more than I've ever been in a subscribed religious building. I place my belief in a manager and starting XI, whose existence cannot be open to debate (imagine conjuring up Chris Morgan as an imaginary friend!) And my belief is based on a massive amount of hope and faith. It's a damned site cheaper than Scientology too!

But yes, mainly I want something more interesting to say than none

Thanks for that. Reading the links on the BHA website, I am astonished that the Office for National Statistics are quite open about wanting to phrase the question to get the highest possible number of religious adherents (for example, they think anyone who has been christened - as I have - should put themselves down as a Christian!) and seem more interested in religion as a measure of cultural/ethnic attachment rather than any kind of active belief - so the question "do you consider yourself as belonging to a religion" was rejected mainly because it meant non-religious Sikhs weren't counted!

It's far worse than I thought...

 

[bricktop]

Personally i don't like religion and it does not play any part in my life and it will not do for the rest of my life.

I think religion is nothing more than mumbo jumbo for the gulliable, and if people find this view offensive then that is their problem rather than mine.

I can't even see the real point in people listing their religion as part of a census, what would be more relevent to me, and possibly for a lot of others in this day and age we live in, is that if people listed their football team instead of religion

 

[TCsLoveChild]

Thanks for that. Reading the links on the BHA website, I am astonished that the Office for National Statistics are quite open about wanting to phrase the question to get the highest possible number of religious adherents (for example, they think anyone who has been christened - as I have - should put themselves down as a Christian!) and seem more interested in religion as a measure of cultural/ethnic attachment rather than any kind of active belief - so the question "do you consider yourself as belonging to a religion" was rejected mainly because it meant non-religious Sikhs weren't counted!

It's far worse than I thought...

Isn't a "non-religious Sikh" a contradiction in terms? The Sikhism website describes it thus
"Sikhism
A progressive religion well ahead of its time".

UTB

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Isn't a "non-religious Sikh" a contradiction in terms? The Sikhism website describes it thus
"Sikhism
A progressive religion well ahead of its time".

UTB

But there are lots of those who would call themselves Sikh (I have a few as friends, hedonist in the extreme they are ) but would also in a census that asked the pertinent question would classify themselves as 'non-religious' which would mean their status as 'sikh' was lost!

Also on a more controversial note, if Christianity is rejected in favour of a football team, can that be valid given the number of professional clubs that started out as church teams?

 

[Darren]

We know, we've heard you bore the tits off us often enough about the subject to know full well your views on religion.

Let's just say that most Christians and Christian worshippers just go about it quietly and without fuss. It tends to be the Atheists among us who get all excited and upset when the God subject's brought up.

If you don't like it Dazzler well fair enough but ffs, so long as they don't go round blowing folks up in the name of it, what harm does it do to tick a box stating that you're a "white Anglo-Saxon christian"?

Apologies for getting all serious on what was meant as a jokey thread but really, is there any need for the rant

:gallop:

1. If you find the subject boring, why as HB said, indulge me with an argument. I would have thought ignoring me was the better policy.
2. When I was a lad no one gave a toss about religion either for or against. In my experience its only when religious types (Christians included) start getting militant (as they have in the last decade or so) that atheists start making a fuss.
3. Religion can do a lot of harm short of blowing people up. If you are happy to have your taxes go towards kids being educated to believe in stuff like virgin births and people rising from the dead, fair enough. I'm not.

 

[Linz]

Also on a more controversial note, if Christianity is rejected in favour of a football team, can that be valid given the number of professional clubs that started out as church teams?

Ahhh... but United didn't and if anything, it would be my rejection of cricket that was more controversial in this instance.

What is the history of football if not a code of morals and intrigue that doesn't quite resort to crucifixions, long spells in various deserts, turning into a cat and wanton destruction of shrubbery?

 

[Jimbo]

Regardless of the moral rights or wrongs of putting Sheffield United as my religion of choice (as has already been discussed)... I'll be doing it! Sounds like a quality idea!

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

What is the history of football if not a code of morals and intrigue that doesn't quite resort to crucifixions, long spells in various deserts, turning into a cat and wanton destruction of shrubbery?

Mmmmm, many a time I've wanted to hang or crucify certain individuals wearing the hallowed robes of red and white. Show me a Blade of sufficient years who doesn't feel like they've been wandering the deserts of football for far more than 40 days and 40 nights. I've often wanted to kick the cat at 4.45pm on a Saturday, not to mention scatter the petals of various ornamental botany! There are more similarities than you think! Now what do we called one who defects to the other side? Oh yes....'Judassssss'

 

[derrywan]

well the whole new testament builds up to Jesus going up for a cross, so a football response seems to be in keeping.

 

[tomtheblade]

behold! The 10 commandments of Blade-ism!

1. Thou shalt have no other teams but the Blades, especially not the Pigs or L**ds as they are filthy like the swine

2. Thou shalt not make for yourself any idol other than Brian Deane/TC/Hagan et al

3.Thou shalt not take the name of the Blades in vain...however feel free to swear unto the Pigs, Weeds and Shammers as much as desired, for they deserveth such disdain.

4.You shall remember and keep 3pm on a Saturday afternoon holy, as well as any other time t'Blades are playing.

5.Respect your South stand and your Shoreham Kop

6.Thou must not kill Blades, instead thou must swing pigs from hyde park flats to wadsley bridge.

7.Thou must not adulterate yourself with any teams other than the Blades

8.Thou must respect the Greasy Chip Buttie Song, and sing it every match upon kickoff. If thou art not at the game, thou should sing it anyway.

9.Thou must not give false evidence, especially if thou hast used an illegal player and is trying to weasel yourself out of a points-deduction like the lying scum that thou art.

10.Thou must not be envious of thy neighbours goods. This is particularly easy for a Blade because we support the best club in the world!

 

[Jon Bon]

This probably belongs in the off topic sectiion, but the religion question is a particular bee in my bonnet. At the last census, the way it was phrased was "what is your religion" and then a whole list of options with "Christianity" at the top and "none" at the bottom (pus a space to fill in your own option".

For white Anglo-Saxon people who don't really think about religion, there is strong evidence that many ticked "Christianity" as the default option which meant that the census showed the UK as 72% Christian, which is a massive over estimate when all other evidence is taken into account, but which gives the churches ammunition when seeking public subsidies as they can potray the UK as a "Christian country".

There was a campaign before this census for the question to be changed to "do you have a religion?" with a yes and a no option and then a seperate question "if, yes, which" and then the list. This would almost certainly lead to a dramatic drop of self described Christians to around the 40-50% mark, which all surveys suggest is the true figure.

The government refused to do this on the grounds that there "wasn't room on the form". Which us militant atheists think is frankly a load of bollocks and more to do with the government wanting to keep this idea of the UK as a predominantly Christian nation and hence justify their policies on faith schools and getting the churches involved in social services etc.

That's my two pennorth and, no I won't be describing my religion as Sheffield United, it will most definitely be a clear and resounding NONE!

Good god (pun intended)..! I've found myself agreeing with Darren.

I'm off for a lie down in a darkened room...

 

[TCsLoveChild]

But there are lots of those who would call themselves Sikh (I have a few as friends, hedonist in the extreme they are ) but would also in a census that asked the pertinent question would classify themselves as 'non-religious' which would mean their status as 'sikh' was lost!

Also on a more controversial note, if Christianity is rejected in favour of a football team, can that be valid given the number of professional clubs that started out as church teams?

Sorry I don't get it, surely either they are Sikhs and therefore religious or they are not religious and therefore not Sikhs. Isn't it a little like being a devil worshopping christian

UTB

 

[Darren]

Good god (pun intended)..! I've found myself agreeing with Darren.

I'm off for a lie down in a darkened room...

Ah, but I'm only agin the mumbo-jumbo of religion and not the ethics. You, I suspect, are agin both....

 

[Darren]

Sorry I don't get it, surely either they are Sikhs and therefore religious or they are not religious and therefore not Sikhs. Isn't it a little like being a devil worshopping christian

UTB

As I understand it, being a Sikh is a bit like being a Jew. In law, Sikhs and Jews are both recognised ethnic groups as well as being religions, so its perfectly possible to be a non-religious Sikh or a non-religious Jew (I know a few of the latter). What the census people said was that they wouldn't know how many ethnic Sikhs there were if the religious question wasn't phrased as it is. The obvious answer to that appears to be to have a seperate "Sikh" category in the ethnic origin question.

 

[cahill]

Why not. Visited a cemetary today and found the Blades club crest on a grave (Swinton). People have their ashes scattered over football club grounds. Any thinking person knows that "god" doesn't exist so I think its perfectly acceptable to put Sheffield United as your religion. As Linz says it doesn't really matter anyway just a laugh

 

[Sensiblade]

Oh yes, I will convert from Jedi to Shefield United for this one.
I think (and maye smeone in this thread has mentioned it) there is a number of people you need for it to register as an officially recognised religion.
Not sure how many though

 

[moDtheGod]

I will be joining in the fun.

 

[Linz]

I think (and maye smeone in this thread has mentioned it) there is a number of people you need for it to register as an officially recognised religion.
Not sure how many though

I think that one's a bit of a fallacy as there's no such thing as an "officially recognised" religion insofar as there's no one definition of an officially recognised one.
Jehovahs Witnesses will think of themselves as religion but i don't think they'll be listed as an option on the census.

I propose nothing but an interesting alternative for United fans. And a FOI request once it's been done should tell us how many joined in.

 

[shorehamview]

I propose nothing but an interesting alternative for United fans. And a FOI request once it's been done should tell us how many joined in.

So no jihad against the infidels of Hillsborough then? Bugger, I'd got me big sword ready too.

 

[keenzy]

Sheffield United the Religion... Church is the lane.... and hell is the sty. Best be good or you will be part of strap-ons army!!!

TBH I'm COE.