Decline of Christianity in Canada Faster than Ever

[Left Coast]

Oh the drama! I said that the conservatives feared gay marriage but they were wrong.

That was the weirdest way to say "conservatives were wrong" I've ever read, but....okay?

 

[firedragon]

Religiosity in Canada is at an all-time low, with recently released data from Statistics Canada showing only 68 per cent of Canadians 15 or older now report having a religious affiliation. It’s the first time that number has dipped below 70 per cent since StatCan began tracking the data in 1985.

It's important to note that this decline is not across the board; the number of Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus is increasing, and StatCan predicts the number of Canadians reporting a non-Christian religious affiliation could double by the year 2036.

Christianity, however, is in sharp decline. In 2011, 67.3 per cent (about 22.1 million people) of Canadians said they were affiliated with a Christian religion. In 2019, that number had dropped to 63.2 per cent. Catholicism, Canada’s largest denomination, now accounts for 32 per cent of Canadians over 15, down from 46.9 per cent in 1996.

THe United Church of Canada, the country’s second-largest Canadian Christian denomination, accounted for 14.6 per cent of Canadians in 1985. In 1996, that number had declined to 9.7 per cent and to just 3.8 per cent in 2019. Islam, considered a minority religion, now sits at 3.7 per cent.

Will Christianity be pretty much gone in Canada in 20 years or so? Looks possible.

Christianity losing its percentages does not mean a decline in religiosity. If all theologies decline, it will be replaced by another religiosity.

 

[PruePhillip]

Will everyone become like @Willamena ? Kinda short with a harry potter avatar? Doubt it.

It would be strange, but not surprising, for Canada and Europe to come under
Sharia Law in generations to come. Religion matters in unexpected ways. It's
no laughing matter.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

......."no civilization could long survive the loss of the best in its religion"

What "best" in religion even requires religion?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Religiosity in Canada is at an all-time low, with recently released data from Statistics Canada showing only 68 per cent of Canadians 15 or older now report having a religious affiliation. It’s the first time that number has dipped below 70 per cent since StatCan began tracking the data in 1985.

It's important to note that this decline is not across the board; the number of Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus is increasing, and StatCan predicts the number of Canadians reporting a non-Christian religious affiliation could double by the year 2036.

Christianity, however, is in sharp decline. In 2011, 67.3 per cent (about 22.1 million people) of Canadians said they were affiliated with a Christian religion. In 2019, that number had dropped to 63.2 per cent. Catholicism, Canada’s largest denomination, now accounts for 32 per cent of Canadians over 15, down from 46.9 per cent in 1996.

THe United Church of Canada, the country’s second-largest Canadian Christian denomination, accounted for 14.6 per cent of Canadians in 1985. In 1996, that number had declined to 9.7 per cent and to just 3.8 per cent in 2019. Islam, considered a minority religion, now sits at 3.7 per cent.

Will Christianity be pretty much gone in Canada in 20 years or so? Looks possible.

I clicked through and noticed something else very interesting (to me, at least):

More than one-third of Canadians (37%) reported engaging in religious or spiritual activities on their own at least once a month, and almost one-quarter (23%) reported participating in a group religious activity at least once a month in the previous year.

So, apparently, less than a quarter of Canadians attend religious services regularly.

This likely means that most of the people who report a religious affiliation aren't actually members of a religious community for practical purposes.

 

[Clara Tea]

Religiosity in Canada is at an all-time low, with recently released data from Statistics Canada showing only 68 per cent of Canadians 15 or older now report having a religious affiliation. It’s the first time that number has dipped below 70 per cent since StatCan began tracking the data in 1985.

It's important to note that this decline is not across the board; the number of Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus is increasing, and StatCan predicts the number of Canadians reporting a non-Christian religious affiliation could double by the year 2036.

Christianity, however, is in sharp decline. In 2011, 67.3 per cent (about 22.1 million people) of Canadians said they were affiliated with a Christian religion. In 2019, that number had dropped to 63.2 per cent. Catholicism, Canada’s largest denomination, now accounts for 32 per cent of Canadians over 15, down from 46.9 per cent in 1996.

THe United Church of Canada, the country’s second-largest Canadian Christian denomination, accounted for 14.6 per cent of Canadians in 1985. In 1996, that number had declined to 9.7 per cent and to just 3.8 per cent in 2019. Islam, considered a minority religion, now sits at 3.7 per cent.

Will Christianity be pretty much gone in Canada in 20 years or so? Looks possible.

Finally, after looking at the W. Bush administration (elected by the Religious Right), all religious people are seeing the truth....theists make wars, make torture camps, lie, cheat, etc. This is why religions are losing members.

The world is a mess (homeless, debt, pollution, global warming, disease) and virtually everything was caused by the Religious Right's choices. Supreme court justices are appointed by presidents, and they stay in office for life. Senators and Congressmen have limited terms, but stay in for life anyway.

Why should theists follow preachers, if preachers don't follow God? God said "thou shalt not kill" while Reverend John Hagee said that we're losing the war in Iraq because we need to pray more to Jesus (so we can kill more effectively). If they can't follow their own bible, why should Christians stay Christians?

 

[Clara Tea]

What "best" in religion even requires religion?

If a theist is generous (which is a religious good), an atheist could also be generous. If a theist can reject war (thou shalt not kill), an atheist could also reject war.

The problem is that theists don't follow their own Gods and bibles. God said "thou shalt not kill" and theists (like Reverend John Hagee) say that we should pray to Jesus to win the war in Iraq (that will make us kill more effectively).

Where are the theists while torture camps exist? Where are the objections?

Theists pick and choose what they want of the bible (harrass Gays), but protect child-molesting priests so that they can molest some more.

Theists sin because they believe that Jesus will save them from any sin. This means that they will sin some more. Atheists don't have anyone to forgive all of their sins, so they try not to sin at all.

 

[Clara Tea]

I clicked through and noticed something else very interesting (to me, at least):



So, apparently, less than a quarter of Canadians attend religious services regularly.

This likely means that most of the people who report a religious affiliation aren't actually members of a religious community for practical purposes.

Many attend church for social reasons, though they are atheists. Many of those laugh at theists, because it sounds ridiculous, in these modern times, for anyone to believe in ancient religions. I wonder if their pastor/rabbi, knows that he is the object of their ridicule.

The first thing that a minister should do, is teach that his religion is real. If he fails to convince anyone, he is an utter failure. Churches should address the immorality in the world today, and start rallies to improve conditions. Rallying for a good cause is a good way of gaining new members and retaining old ones.

 

[Clara Tea]

Not in California! I assume that question is asked in our "Bible belt".

There are a lot of lightning storms out there (and hurricanes). I wonder if that is how God rewards them?

 

[Clara Tea]

No, it literally was. I'm gay. I was there.

There must be a way of stopping anti-Gay conservatives. I suppose that marrying them to breed them out of existence is not the solution.

Take solace in the fact that most Gay bashers are, themselves, Gay.

Many Christians cherry pick info, choosing to bash Gays but allow boy-molesting priests. Somehow they think that if Gays marry (and have rights of inheritance or child custody), that will somehow wreck the institution of marriage, and that will somehow harm their marriages (making them illegitimate).

 

[Clara Tea]

If we can survive its worse.

Typically, it takes 200 years for a civilization to rise and fall. President W. Bush was a genius because he was able to hasten the fall by outsourcing factories and losing American jobs.

 

[1213]

Religiosity in Canada is at an all-time low, ...

Will Christianity be pretty much gone in Canada in 20 years or so? Looks possible.

It is sad that at the same time authoritarianism and tyranny is rising. Makes one wonder, does Christianity protect nation from becoming tyrannical and fascistic.

I assume Christianity will be purified all over the world and there will be only small group loyal to Jesus and God. And actually, maybe it has always been so. Previously the religious organization just gave for certain people nice opportunity to rule others. Now times has changed and "science" is the new religion, which gives the greatest power for tyrants to rule others. The problem with Christianity has always been, for tyrants, if people really know what Jesus said, it is not good for their ruling. That is why "science" is excellent for replacing Christianity, no moral obligations, only obedient people through fear.

So, my answer is, till the end of this world, I believe there will be Christians (=disciples of Jesus). But the number will be closer to the actual number of people who are really loyal to Jesus. People who are only namely Christians will probably change to the new "science" religion, which is more efficient for tyrannical fascists, because it has no moral rules and nothing that would make people immune to fear.

 

[firedragon]

Religiosity in Canada is at an all-time low, with recently released data from Statistics Canada showing only 68 per cent of Canadians 15 or older now report having a religious affiliation. It’s the first time that number has dipped below 70 per cent since StatCan began tracking the data in 1985.

It's important to note that this decline is not across the board; the number of Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus is increasing, and StatCan predicts the number of Canadians reporting a non-Christian religious affiliation could double by the year 2036.

Christianity, however, is in sharp decline. In 2011, 67.3 per cent (about 22.1 million people) of Canadians said they were affiliated with a Christian religion. In 2019, that number had dropped to 63.2 per cent. Catholicism, Canada’s largest denomination, now accounts for 32 per cent of Canadians over 15, down from 46.9 per cent in 1996.

THe United Church of Canada, the country’s second-largest Canadian Christian denomination, accounted for 14.6 per cent of Canadians in 1985. In 1996, that number had declined to 9.7 per cent and to just 3.8 per cent in 2019. Islam, considered a minority religion, now sits at 3.7 per cent.

Will Christianity be pretty much gone in Canada in 20 years or so? Looks possible.

Hi. Why do you think Its declining in Canada? If you have some insight please share. It doesnt need to be based on research, it could be only your opinion or anecdotal experience. I would like to understand a little more. Thanks in advance.

 

[Colt]

What "best" in religion even requires religion?

I believe that religion in any culture preserves spiritual values; loving God as your Father and man as your brother. Religion is man’s heartfelt loyalty to his highest and truest convictions.

"There is a real purpose in the socialization of religion. It is the purpose of group religious activities to dramatize the loyalties of religion; to magnify the lures of truth, beauty, and goodness; to foster the attractions of supreme values; to enhance the service of unselfish fellowship; to glorify the potentials of family life; to promote religious education; to provide wise counsel and spiritual guidance; and to encourage group worship. And all live religions encourage human friendship, conserve morality, promote neighborhood welfare, and facilitate the spread of the essential gospel of their respective messages of eternal salvation."

"Man can never wisely decide temporal issues or transcend the selfishness of personal interests unless he meditates in the presence of the sovereignty of God and reckons with the realities of divine meanings and spiritual values."

"True, many apparently religious traits can grow out of nonreligious roots. Man can, intellectually, deny God and yet be morally good, loyal, filial, honest, and even idealistic. Man may graft many purely humanistic branches onto his basic spiritual nature and thus apparently prove his contentions in behalf of a godless religion, but such an experience is devoid of survival values, God-knowingness and God- ascension. In such a mortal experience only social fruits are forthcoming, not spiritual. The graft determines the nature of the fruit, notwithstanding that the living sustenance is drawn from the roots of original divine endowment of both mind and spirit." UB 1955


"Jesus warned his believers that, if their religious longings were only material, increasing knowledge of nature would, by progressive displacement of the supposed supernatural origin of things, ultimately deprive them of their faith in God. But that, if their religion were spiritual, never could the progress of physical science disturb their faith in eternal realities and divine values."

 

[loverofhumanity]

Religiosity in Canada is at an all-time low, with recently released data from Statistics Canada showing only 68 per cent of Canadians 15 or older now report having a religious affiliation. It’s the first time that number has dipped below 70 per cent since StatCan began tracking the data in 1985.

It's important to note that this decline is not across the board; the number of Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists and Hindus is increasing, and StatCan predicts the number of Canadians reporting a non-Christian religious affiliation could double by the year 2036.

Christianity, however, is in sharp decline. In 2011, 67.3 per cent (about 22.1 million people) of Canadians said they were affiliated with a Christian religion. In 2019, that number had dropped to 63.2 per cent. Catholicism, Canada’s largest denomination, now accounts for 32 per cent of Canadians over 15, down from 46.9 per cent in 1996.

THe United Church of Canada, the country’s second-largest Canadian Christian denomination, accounted for 14.6 per cent of Canadians in 1985. In 1996, that number had declined to 9.7 per cent and to just 3.8 per cent in 2019. Islam, considered a minority religion, now sits at 3.7 per cent.

Will Christianity be pretty much gone in Canada in 20 years or so? Looks possible.

But have people become less caring or less humanitarian or less good and more violent and criminal because to me being religious is not necessarily affiliation with any group but having an upright and good character. People may just be more private about their beliefs but still live a decent life.

With the dawn of the internet age, a lot of people may prefer to get their spiritual sustenance online instead of from a priest. Priesthood is dying out and people can get all the spiritual guidance they require online.

Its like newspapers, music etc going digital but not disappearing because hard copies no longer sell.

 

[loverofhumanity]

People have gone online that’s all. But if you look at the number of forums where Christians preach there is no decline. The Virtual world is the new space people go to.

 

[F1fan]

It is sad that at the same time authoritarianism and tyranny is rising. Makes one wonder, does Christianity protect nation from becoming tyrannical and fascistic.

What we are seeing in the USA is evangelicals backing trump who has been using authoritarian methods to remain in power. The GOP and evangelical Christianity is complicit. I don't see how Christianity as a religion would protect voting rights, equality, public safety, democracy, etc. unless they oppose the republican party.

I assume Christianity will be purified all over the world and there will be only small group loyal to Jesus and God. And actually, maybe it has always been so. Previously the religious organization just gave for certain people nice opportunity to rule others. Now times has changed and "science" is the new religion, which gives the greatest power for tyrants to rule others. The problem with Christianity has always been, for tyrants, if people really know what Jesus said, it is not good for their ruling. That is why "science" is excellent for replacing Christianity, no moral obligations, only obedient people through fear.

This makes no sense. In no way is science a religion. What science has done over the centuries is show how rigid and incorrect religious beliefs are incorrect. There is no reason to think science has to compete with Christians who follow Jesus. We see serious moral problems with the republic party since Reagan, and it has been getting worse since. There is no way to argue that Christians who align with political conservatives are purifying themselves, rather that are moving farther away from what jesus taught. If anything evangelicals are Anti-Christs.

So, my answer is, till the end of this world, I believe there will be Christians (=disciples of Jesus). But the number will be closer to the actual number of people who are really loyal to Jesus. People who are only namely Christians will probably change to the new "science" religion, which is more efficient for tyrannical fascists, because it has no moral rules and nothing that would make people immune to fear.

Moderate and liberal Christians have no problem with science. Only Christian extremists have a problem with what science reveals about the universe, and that is the problem for these Anti-Christs, and they need to not ruin life for rational people with their absurd rhetoric.

 

[F1fan]

I believe that religion in any culture preserves spiritual values; loving God as your Father and man as your brother. Religion is man’s heartfelt loyalty to his highest and truest convictions.

How do you explain Christians supporting trump, and continue to support him despite his corruption, his cheating, his lying, and intent to deceive Americans?

 

[Brickjectivity]

It would be strange, but not surprising, for Canada and Europe to come under
Sharia Law in generations to come. Religion matters in unexpected ways. It's
no laughing matter.

To me its equally likely that secular laws will take on a religious character and that secular ideals will become more than just suggestions. For example Canada may start requiring charitable donations or may require morning meditation or particular training for children. The laws which we today call religious may have been just practical in the time and setting in which they were written.

 

[F1fan]

Oh the drama! I said that the conservatives feared gay marriage but they were wrong.

But conservatives were correct in condemning gays, and gay marriage. How do I know? They claimed their basis of judgment on their interpretation of the Bible.

When Christians claim their authority is the Bible, how does any rational person dispute their beliefs?