Why all the fuss over a simple census question?

AS far as I am aware, the simple question being asked on the census is: 'What religion are you?' This isn't a question that usually merits much reflection or soul searching.

Most people don't believe it is a test of their orthodoxy and that there are minimum criteria to be met, such as Catholics naming the sacraments, the minimum bar Jason FitzHarris thinks should apply (Irish Examiner letters, March 20).

Considering that many nominal a la carte Roman Catholic parents have their children baptised as Catholics, receive Holy Communion and Confirmation as Catholics, are wed in Catholic churches and are buried according to the rites of the Catholic church, the question is a bit of a no-brainer.