Courtesy: City in Focus
A survey of the faith group
Unless you’ve added your Pastor as a friend on Facebook, you’re likely not going to see much religious on your feed, if anything at all. Religion, organized religion, and the number of “church-goers,” is in the decline – but does that mean Canadians are without a faith or any faith at all
21% of respondents were considered to be religiously committed. Of that group, women were considered more committed.
30% were considered to be privately faithful. This group believed in God and prayed, and desired God; however, did not want anything to do with organized religion.
30% were categorized as spiritually uncertain. These people believed in God–but that’s it.
The remaining 19% would consider themselves as non-believers. Unsurprisingly, this group featured a high percentage of young males.
Dr. Angus Reid – Chairman of the Angus Reid presented data from the study conducted in April 2017.The study surveyed religious belief and practice in Canada, and grouped Canadians in 5 categories according to the level of religious observance:
Dr. Reid also made several interesting observations such as education having little effect on this outcome. Immigrants also make up a significant portion of the faithful. The real divide, the data concludes, is between the believers (80%) and non-believers (20%); This data completely reverses what the media and what our “secular society” has suggested in the past few decades.
Moreover, while there is a decline in the attendance in churches, Canadians are still claiming to have a connection with God and faith. The way forward will be a challenge, but not without hope. Dr. Reid concluded by exhorting those in the room – including Christians and persons of other faith communities – to be good communicators (as this will be foundational for ongoing and future dialogue), to demonstrate forgiveness, mercy, and unity, and lastly, to develop leadership and be leaders at the forefront of change.
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