When I fill out an application or a questionnaire, I am always infuriated. Between the dark black lines, I scribble, “Elizabeth A. Oppong”, “female”, African American, 16 and so on. Easy. But what angers me is when I get to the question on religious affiliation, and I am expected to pick one or check the “other” box. What is an affiliation anyway?

The dictionary lists it as membership, connection, or link. I am indeed Catholic because of my baptism and confirmation into the...