Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Wyz_sub10 · 05-13-2003, 07:04 AM

Apparently, Canadians declaring themselves as having no religion jumped by 44% from a decade ago.

Canadians losing their religion

Quote:

OTTAWA (CP) - A growing number of Canadians are losing their religion.

In fact, 4.8 million Canadians, 16 per cent of the population, declared themselves as having no religion, Statistics Canada reported Tuesday in the latest and final report to come from the 2001 census.

That's roughly the same number of Canadians that identified themselves as Anglican and United Church combined.

A decade ago only 12 per cent of Canadians said they had no religion. The increase represents a staggering 44 per cent jump.

Jet Grind · 05-13-2003, 07:32 AM

Well then, they're ahead of us by 2-4 points. Damn them!!

never been there · 05-13-2003, 06:45 PM

Typically pathetic article, interviewing lots of apologists saying "no belief" doesn't sustain itself over time. I suppose they're right, "crescendo" is not the same things as "sustain".

As for Quebec's supposed 83% RC, pull the other one. Catholic like my Jewish friends are still Jewish, maybe.

Which makes a nice segue into my personal thesis that same-sex marriage is going to be for English-speaking Canada what abortion was for Quebec - a way to put the church in its place. Abortion wasn't legalized in Quebec by judges or politicians, it was four juries who acquitted Dr. Henry Morgentaler after he performed an abortion ON TELEVISION. The government was forced to give up, and the RC church could no longer control policy by sending its favorite sons into politics. It was an issue the church had to fight, whether or not it was politically wise; and its defeat on this issue changed it from a pillar of society to a hobby for grandma.

For English Canada, where Evangelicals are the noisy ones, it is shaping up to be the opportunity to hand them a defeat that will forever assuage any fears politicians may have of their organizing power. Even if 84% of Canadians have some kind of religion, few of them want someone else's church calling the shots, even if they agree on sexual issues.

Does Canada this get any coverage in other countries regarding the marriage issue? Concerned Women for America noticed.

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05-13-2003, 07:32 AM	#2
Jet Grind Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Southern Maine, USA Posts: 220	Well then, they're ahead of us by 2-4 points. Damn them!!

05-13-2003, 06:45 PM	#3
never been there Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 2,144	Typically pathetic article, interviewing lots of apologists saying "no belief" doesn't sustain itself over time. I suppose they're right, "crescendo" is not the same things as "sustain". As for Quebec's supposed 83% RC, pull the other one. Catholic like my Jewish friends are still Jewish, maybe. Which makes a nice segue into my personal thesis that same-sex marriage is going to be for English-speaking Canada what abortion was for Quebec - a way to put the church in its place. Abortion wasn't legalized in Quebec by judges or politicians, it was four juries who acquitted Dr. Henry Morgentaler after he performed an abortion ON TELEVISION. The government was forced to give up, and the RC church could no longer control policy by sending its favorite sons into politics. It was an issue the church had to fight, whether or not it was politically wise; and its defeat on this issue changed it from a pillar of society to a hobby for grandma. For English Canada, where Evangelicals are the noisy ones, it is shaping up to be the opportunity to hand them a defeat that will forever assuage any fears politicians may have of their organizing power. Even if 84% of Canadians have some kind of religion, few of them want someone else's church calling the shots, even if they agree on sexual issues. Does Canada this get any coverage in other countries regarding the marriage issue? Concerned Women for America noticed.

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