Irreligion, also known as religious indifference or secularism, is increasing in Canada. Although Canada has historical ties to Christianity,[1] Iin recent years, there has been a decline in religious affiliation overall, with an increasing number of Canadians identifying as atheist, agnostic, or having no religious affiliation https://doi.org/10.32316/hse-rhe.2024.5255
its growing diversity and multiculturalism have resulted in a decline in religious affiliation among people. Factors contributing to this trend include changing social norms, higher education levels, and a general skepticism towards organized religion.
Rates of religious adherence have steadily decreased since the 1970s.[2] Canadian universities were often seen as centers of atheism during the 1960s.[3] Universities created an atmosphere where more opportunities for questioning religious beliefs and made atheism more visible during a transformative religious period in Canada.[3]
Canada has become a post-Christian, secular state.[4]A key reason for the rise of irreligion is Canada's commitment to secularism and the separation of church and state, allowing individuals to explore their own spirituality freely. Moreover, as Canadians become more educated and encounter diverse views, they often begin to question traditional beliefs. The influence of science and technology also plays a role, as advancements provide explanations for natural events that were once seen through a religious lens, leading some to favor evidence over faith.
sSurveys may also include those who are deists, spiritual, pantheists. Trends show a significant rise from just 4% in 1971 to nearly 35% in Canada according to the 2021 census.The 2021 Canadian census reported that 34.6% of Canadians declare no religious affiliation, which is up from 23.9% in the 2011 Canadian census and 16.5% in the 2001 Canadian census.[5][6] According to Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance, among those estimated 4.9 million Canadians of no religion, an estimated 1.9 million would specify atheist, 1.8 million would specify agnostic, and 1.2 million humanist.[7]
The Enlightenment's radical ideas began influencing Canada in the late 1700s, leading figures like Fleury Mesplet to critique the Catholic Church in Quebec. This sparked a continuous tradition of anticlericalism in Quebec, despite, or perhaps due to, the Church's dominance. Other parts of Canada saw the emergence of freethought and rationalist movements in the 19th century, largely driven by working-class individuals influenced by American and British ideologies. The impact of the first war also affected those who identified as Christians. Vance acknowledges that many veterans became more skeptical of organized religion after their experiences. Throughout the early 20th century, secularists contended with religious fundamentalism and political extremism, transitioning to secular humanism after World War II, which saw a shift in activism’s leadership to educated professionals. As Canada modernized, it transformed from a predominantly religious society to one of the least religious in the West, leading to a resurgence of militant atheism in the 21st century. .
The roots of unbelief can be traced back to early Indigenous skepticism towards imposed religions, although the paper focuses on Euro-Canadian beliefs. Factors contributing to modern unbelief stem from radical Enlightenment thinking, varying from anticlerical deism to outright atheism. This skepticism facilitated the spread of secular ideas throughout different classes in Canada, informed by cultural icons like Voltaire and Thomas Paine. Fleury Mesplet is highlighted for promoting Enlightenment thought in Quebec, advocating for social reform against the Church's influence and facing censorship and imprisonment.
In contrast to Quebec’s intense religious background, places like British Columbia exhibited religious apathy, with settlers often engaging in anti-religious sentiment. The late 19th century in Canada experienced a surge in organized freethought, exemplified by the Toronto Freethought Association and events featuring prominent speakers from the United States. However, Canadian freethinkers also stimulated local movements with individuals like W. D. LeSueur and Allen Pringle contributing to the discourse.
Jewish immigrants around the early 20th century also played a significant role in secular movements, typically associating their transition to secularism with political activism. Despite a lull in organized unbelief between 1900-1920, signs of renewed efforts emerged with the establishment of groups like the Canadian Secular Society in Vancouver.
- ^ Roberts, Lance W. (2005). Recent Social Trends in Canada, 1960–2000. McGill-Queen's Press. p. 359. ISBN 978-0-7735-2955-7.
- ^ Cornelissen, Louis (October 28, 2021). "Religiosity in Canada and its evolution from 1985 to 2019". Statistics Canada.
- ^ a b Block, Tina (2024-06-28). ""Crawling with Atheists": Unbelief at Canadian Universities during the Sixties". Historical Studies in Education / Revue d'histoire de l'éducation. doi:10.32316/hse-rhe.2024.5255. ISSN 1911-9674.
- ^
- Bramadat, Paul; Seljak, David (2009). Religion and Ethnicity in Canada. University of Toronto Press. p. 3. ISBN 978-1-4426-1018-7.
- Bowen, Kurt (2004). Christians in a Secular World: The Canadian Experience. McGill-Queen's Press. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-7735-7194-5.
- Gregory, Derek; Johnston, Ron; Pratt, Geraldine; Watts, Michael; Whatmore, Sarah (2009). The Dictionary of Human Geography. John Wiley & Sons. p. 672. ISBN 978-1-4443-1056-6.
- ^ "The Canadian census: A rich portrait of the country's religious and ethnocultural diversity". Statistics Canada/Statistique Canada. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2022.
- ^ "Religions in Canada—Census 2011". Statistics Canada/Statistique Canada. 8 May 2013.
- ^ "Non-Christian religious data in Canada". Religioustolerance.org. Archived from the original on 2017-07-03. Retrieved 2014-05-11.
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