Review of 2021 Census Topics

Response 890294202

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Topic name
improvements to religious involvement data

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Ticked Religion
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Assessment Criteria 1

1. This topic is of current national importance.

National Importance
More detailed data on religious involvement would help to understand our diverse, multicultural and multi religious community better.
This data would be used for research by religious groups, denominations, social researchers, government, and others who rely on understanding our religious landscape.

Assessment Criteria 2

2. There is a need for data from a Census of the whole population.

For whole population
It is needed to understand the differences in religious commitment, as signified through recent attendance at a religious service and recent donations to a religious group

Assessment Criteria 3

3. The topic can be accurately collected in a form which the household completes themselves.

Easy to answer
It would be an easy question.

In the last two weeks, have you attended a religious service?
In the last month, have you made a financial donation to a religious group?

Assessment Criteria 4

4. The topic would be acceptable to Census respondents.

Acceptable
These two extra questions would simply allow for greater understanding of their commitment to the religious group they have indicated affiliation with. I do not foresee any objection to it.

Assessment Criteria 5

5. The topic can be collected efficiently.

Collected efficiently
The addition of two additional questions on religious group affiliation (recent donations and recent attendance) would be simple to code as a binary yes / no.

Assessment Criteria 6

6. There is likely to be a continuing need for data on this topic in the following Census.

Continuing need
The changes in religious affiliation are vital for understanding a rapidly growing multicultural population, and especially to understand social inclusion and growing isolation in society.

Assessment Criteria 7

7. There are no other alternative data sources or solutions that could meet the topic need.

No alternatives
No other data survey includes such objective data. The National Church Life Survey is self selected and nowhere near as accurate as the Census would be.

Any further comments?

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Further comments
Religious affiliation:
In the last two weeks, have you attended a religious service?
In the last month, have you made a financial donation to a religious group?