Suzanne Harrington: It’s refreshing that no religion is acknowledged on the census

Is it fair and equal for one religion – in Ireland’s case, Catholicism – to be served up as part of the school curriculum?

I know you’re never meant to talk religion, but the census is making me do it. We had to fill it out, on account of being on a visit to Ireland last Sunday night, in a hotel with the fam – an atheist, an undecided, a haven’t-a-clue, a secular Jew, and myself, a Catholic by birth. I chant Om at yoga, but couldn’t find a box for that. Instead we all ticked the no-religion box. That this box topped the list felt significant.

Obviously, for millions of people everywhere, the freedom to practice your religion is a basic right, to be honoured, protected and respected for anyone who wants to do so. That goes without saying, but I’m saying it anyway.