

I decided to go for "Atheist" as it was a more accurate description of my view and I was distrustful of their "none" choice.
Has anything like this happened to any of you? and also which one would you have chosen?

good one, I think you are right. I changed my opinion to atheist. Thanks for that one, this is why I love this forum.anadub25 wrote: I would have chosen 'atheist' just because 'none' could have been intended to represent those who say they are not religious but 'spiritual'.
I doubt that very much. I can't imagine that much thought went into it. It's far more likely that whoever put it together doesn't really understand what atheist means and included it seperately in the list because they think it's deemed to be a religion. The inclusion of 'none' I suspect was the same person trying not to cause offence to anyone in case there are those who don't believe in god and don't consider themselves atheists. Obviously I'm not suggesting that this is possible, because if you don't beleive in god you are an atheist. I'm suggesting that the inclusion of 'none' is further evidence that the person who compiled it feels that atheism is some sort of religion or belief system.anadub25 wrote:I would have chosen 'atheist' just because 'none' could have been intended to represent those who say they are not religious but 'spiritual'.
I've come accross this too. I think it's a very Irish thing. The pagans were here before the christians. In fact aren't St. Patrick's snakes supposed to represent the pagans? i.e. St. Patrick converted us to catholicism and thereby effectively banished the pagans from the land. I've heard this a few times from people and find it funny. It's like saying someone who isn't a Catholic is a believer in Cosmology. I also wouldn't mind too much being called a heretic. It's official definition is quite neutral (from OED):Dev wrote:The reply she supplied was "pagan or heretic".
It's christian doctrine that has come to give the word a negative slant, but that's really only amongst believers I suppose. I still wouldn't call myself a heretic, but to many there would be little difference in the connotations of the words Atheist and Heretic.1 belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious (especially Christian) doctrine.
I think this is the most likely reason.Beebub wrote:
The inclusion of 'none' I suspect was the same person trying not to cause offence to anyone in case there are those who don't believe in god and don't consider themselves atheists.
I think it was a genuine survey to find out what socio-economic background your from, so they can have a good balance of people from disadvantaged areas and groups in 3rd level. They also had a disclaimer saying that the information will not be used in a discriminatory way.anadub25 wrote:How come they were asking anyway, i thought that wasnt allowed on applications and stuff anymore?