What’s Behind the Decline in Religiosity in Canada?

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What’s Behind the Decline in Religiosity in Canada?

Data obtained from Statistics Canada indicates that religious affiliation is at an all-time low. The number of Canadians who report having an affiliation with any religion dropped below 70 percent for the first time since tracking began in 1985. What is fascinating is that this data is not evenly distributed.

The study indicates a glaring generational divide. Participants in the study who were born before 1970 were significantly more likely to report religious affiliation compared to those born after 1990.

The decline in religious affiliation also disproportionately affects the Christian faiths. While the data revealed that Canadians are less likely to identify as Catholic or Anglican when compared to the same time 10 years ago, non-Christian faiths like Islam, Sikhism, and Hinduism are actually experiencing growth. 

So what is one to make of this data? As human beings, we are natural storytellers. We need stories in order to make sense of the world, and data of this sort is a common way that we derive meaning and draw conclusions. While everyone will have their own interpretation of StatCan findings, a few things become clear when viewed in the context of our lives today.

The Generational Divide

The difference in religiosity between age groups cannot be ignored. What might these numbers say about the world today? Before exploring the divide, it is important to note that these data do not necessarily indicate a lack of interest in spiritual practices or community. They do, however, seem to indicate a rejection of labels.

One may argue that younger folks have access to more information and broader perspectives than were available to previous generations. Perhaps more information leads to more questions and less certainty. Perhaps it fosters a sense of curiosity and humility when it comes to our understanding of the world.

One could also argue that the decline in religiosity among younger Canadians indicates a desire for more flexible and inclusive views. In the face of a world that is growing more complex by the day, it is not hard to imagine a desire for systems of faith that are more nuanced and address the totality of our being. 

A More Inclusive Society Leading To Decline 

The StatCan data also reveals another interesting trend: that non-Christian religions are actually gaining popularity in Canada. As Canada continues to attract a diverse population of immigrants, new ideas, faiths, and worldviews appear to be making their mark on the country’s religious identity. When combined with the broader perspectives of Canada’s young, one could argue that the interplay between Christian and non-Christian faiths paves the way for broader understandings of spirituality and community. 

For some, the trends apparent in this data are a cause for concern or cynicism. After all, the concept of faith is a deeply personal one that provides us with a means to understand and cope. It is not hard to understand how one’s ideas about the world can be shaken when confronted with information like this. Still, there is far more room for hope and optimism. 

It is hard to imagine a functioning society without collective belief systems. Humanity as we’ve come to know it would likely not exist without the collective belief in something greater than ourselves. Religion can be a beautiful thing. Yet it is wholly dishonest to ignore the unbelievable harm levied in the name of belief, faith, and tradition.

This data could very well indicate a synthesis between these two divergent perspectives. Rather than wholesale rejection or abandonment of faith and the role that it plays in our lives, we may well be expanding our belief in what is possible and developing something new. This could indicate a move towards something that connects us rather than tearing us apart.

What’s Behind the Decline in Religiosity in Canada?

Data obtained from Statistics Canada indicates that religious affiliation is at an all-time low. The number of Canadians who report having an affiliation with any religion dropped below 70 percent for the first time since tracking began in 1985. What is fascinating is that this data is not evenly distributed.

The study indicates a glaring generational divide. Participants in the study who were born before 1970 were significantly more likely to report religious affiliation compared to those born after 1990.

The decline in religious affiliation also disproportionately affects the Christian faiths. While the data revealed that Canadians are less likely to identify as Catholic or Anglican when compared to the same time 10 years ago, non-Christian faiths like Islam, Sikhism, and Hinduism are actually experiencing growth. 

So what is one to make of this data? As human beings, we are natural storytellers. We need stories in order to make sense of the world, and data of this sort is a common way that we derive meaning and draw conclusions. While everyone will have their own interpretation of StatCan findings, a few things become clear when viewed in the context of our lives today.

The Generational Divide

The difference in religiosity between age groups cannot be ignored. What might these numbers say about the world today? Before exploring the divide, it is important to note that these data do not necessarily indicate a lack of interest in spiritual practices or community. They do, however, seem to indicate a rejection of labels.

One may argue that younger folks have access to more information and broader perspectives than were available to previous generations. Perhaps more information leads to more questions and less certainty. Perhaps it fosters a sense of curiosity and humility when it comes to our understanding of the world.

One could also argue that the decline in religiosity among younger Canadians indicates a desire for more flexible and inclusive views. In the face of a world that is growing more complex by the day, it is not hard to imagine a desire for systems of faith that are more nuanced and address the totality of our being. 

A More Inclusive Society Leading To Decline 

The StatCan data also reveals another interesting trend: that non-Christian religions are actually gaining popularity in Canada. As Canada continues to attract a diverse population of immigrants, new ideas, faiths, and worldviews appear to be making their mark on the country’s religious identity. When combined with the broader perspectives of Canada’s young, one could argue that the interplay between Christian and non-Christian faiths paves the way for broader understandings of spirituality and community. 

For some, the trends apparent in this data are a cause for concern or cynicism. After all, the concept of faith is a deeply personal one that provides us with a means to understand and cope. It is not hard to understand how one’s ideas about the world can be shaken when confronted with information like this. Still, there is far more room for hope and optimism. 

It is hard to imagine a functioning society without collective belief systems. Humanity as we’ve come to know it would likely not exist without the collective belief in something greater than ourselves. Religion can be a beautiful thing. Yet it is wholly dishonest to ignore the unbelievable harm levied in the name of belief, faith, and tradition.

This data could very well indicate a synthesis between these two divergent perspectives. Rather than wholesale rejection or abandonment of faith and the role that it plays in our lives, we may well be expanding our belief in what is possible and developing something new. This could indicate a move towards something that connects us rather than tearing us apart.

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