Naomi Phillips on the Census Campaign

London, 19th January 2011 - 8pm
Chancellor's Room of University of London's Hughes Parry Hall.

Naomi Phillips, Head of Public Affairs of the British Humanist Association, talked to the Central London Humanist Group about the Census Campaign.

Naomi is responsible for the BHA's campaigns covering a wide range of issues including public services, equality law, ethical issues, religion and schools, and social cohesion.

Naomi joined the BHA in 2007, following a spell working in a policy team at the Ministry of Justice. She has gained awards from both the University of Manchester and the LSE for her academic achievements in the fields of Social Policy and Gender. She is a director of the European Humanist Federation.

Why the Census Campaign?

"Numbers have never been so important. On 27 March 2011, the Census 2011 takes place. Taking a snapshot across the nation, on one day once a decade, helps plan services across the whole of the UK."
Office of National Statistics, October 2010

The figures on religion produced by the 2001 census gave a wholly misleading picture of the religiosity of the UK. The distorted figures approximately cut the number of non-religious people in half.
This pattern is set to be repeated in the 2011 census, because the same single, flawed question on religion will be used again. The 2011 Census will be held on the 27th March with forms being sent to more than 25 million households.

Our recommendation:

If you're not religious we recommend ticking 'No religion' for the Census 2011 question on religion.
Ticking 'No religion' is better than leaving the question unanswered because this way you count. And it's better than answering with the religion you were brought up in if you don't believe in it anymore and don't think organised religion speaks for you.

Census Campaign:
http://census-campaign.org.uk/

British Humanist Association:
http://www.humanism.org.uk/

European Humanist Federation:
http://www.humanistfederation.eu/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Naomi Phillips
• Census Campaign
• No religion
• census
• British Humanist Association
• Census 2011

[fuelban]

I have not boycoted this cencus, BUT< I have filled it in, with MISTAKES, I am today re applying for a "new"

form, to "TRY" to get it correct, tho i see myself re applying for a 100th form to do so.... it

is my wright to be wright, even if it takes 100 forms to do so... re apply today

dont let it be wrong about you too....

thom

[thedeanchesterrable]

agreed, crap dress kinda fancy her though.. something about intelligent chicks on stage x

[jenleex]

There is NO LAW to fill out the census form so don't ...

[nameofthepen]

@DeadOriginal - but still, I appreciate your "pointing it out". ;-)

[DeadOriginal]

@FToniS , maybe they need to know where we all are/ what religion we are before they target us for extermination..

I mean, if Lockheed Martin was an islamic arms manufacturer, they may want to target all the Christians and Catholics... Phew, lucky for us all our details will be kept safe, neatly filed for our safety in an Israeli bunker ;-)

[DeadOriginal]

@DeadOriginal ..WTF.. I don't know what happened then, that was meant to be a proper joined up sentence ;-)

[DeadOriginal]

@nameofthepen .. c'mon nOm, it's really "not that hard"....

To spot it..

[nameofthepen]

@DeadOriginal sez: "something is distracting me.. has she got an erection.. is that possible.. ?"

Truly! Maybe that's the new "LGBT look"? :D

[DeadOriginal]

I'm really trying hard to pay attention to what she's saying , but something is distracting me.. has she got an erection.. is that possible.. ?

[WellPlacedSkidMark]

Bin it