Barbados Statistical Service clarifies census data on religion terminology
May 28, 2024
Recent public information on religion in Barbados revealed a discrepancy in labeling, with the term "Atheist" being used instead of "No Religious Affiliation" due to census instrument limitations. The Barbados Statistical Service clarified this error.
Information referenced recently in the public on Religion should have been captioned “No Religious Affiliation” rather than “Atheist”, as the census instrument has made no reference to the term Atheist.
This was revealed today by Aubrey Brown of the Barbados Statistical Service (BSS).
A press release from the BSS stated “Whilst the data given from the 2021 Population and Housing Census is correct, the term “Atheist” should not have been disseminated”.
It added: “The Barbados Statistical Service reaffirms its commitment to the continuance of providing factual data to the public.”
The use of the word Atheist sparked much national debate and conversation this week.
Anglican Bishop Reverend Michael Maxwell cited the statistics noting that the number of “atheists” in Barbados was “alarming”.
He noted that the recently received statistics on religion in the country and the 62 000 declared “atheists” was cause for concern.
Father Clement Paul of the Roman Catholic church added his voice to the issue as well as Superintendent of the Wesleyan Holiness Church of Barbados Reverend Virgil Parris who said he was surprised by the findings.
“Any survey which speaks to the high presence of atheism is one which we much take notice of” he said. (PR/CM)
