Fear not God or secularism: Census 2016

That's why I agree wholeheartedly with Michael Jensen's plea for honesty. When faith influences so many Australian institutions, correctly understanding the numbers is imperative.

For the many Australians who once identified as Christians but have "lapsed" in their churchgoing, the Census provides a chance for honest reassessment and mature reflection.

Do they still believe in the profession of the faith - the Nicene Creed? Was Jesus born of a virgin? Are God and Jesus made of the one substance? Did Jesus come back to life after three days and ascend to Heaven? Will Jesus return to judge the quick and the dead? How plausible is the idea of Hell, and eternal damnation?

I hope the Census provokes Australians to think carefully about their beliefs. For those who are Anglicans, they're free to choose Anglican. For those who worship Buddha, choose Buddhism. Vouchsafing these freedoms is just the point. For those who want a genuine separation of church and state, and who don't belong to any particular religious order, "No religion" is an easy choice.