The role of religion has shifted throughout history from one society to the next. Though humankind has always had a deep need for religious identity, this overall attitude has changed considerably in modern times. Even the last few decades have seen a major shift in how people identify when it comes to their religious beliefs. The Pew Research Center has released plenty of findings in recent years that help to show just how much this mentality has transformed. 

Religious Identity Has Become Less Vital for Some

Perhaps the most interesting discovery in all of the research is the realization that many people are starting to walk away from the entire concept of religious affiliation. A 1971 study in Canada highlighted that about 4% of the entire population identified as no specific religion. A similar study conducted in 2011 showed that this number had increased dramatically, sitting at about 24% of all Canadians. This number has been steadily increasing over the last decade, pointing to a major cultural shift in how the average citizen feels about religious identity. 

It is important to note that those who have no religious identity are separate from those who are affiliated with atheism. The same 2011 Pew study had the active atheist population of Canada at around 8%. 

Canadians Are Changing Religions

For much of modern history in Canada, a majority of the non-native population has identified as Christian in some capacity. The biggest subpopulations of this group are Catholics and Protestants. However, the numbers have notably changed over the last few decades. In the 1970s, roughly 50% of the population identified as Catholic. By 2011, that number had fallen to 39%, and it has continued to drop. However, there have been small ticks upward in the population numbers of other religious groups throughout the country. While immigration is part of the reason, research shows many Canadians are also switching faiths.

As of 2018, the religious beliefs that have been steadily increasing include Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, and Hinduism. While these trends might be interesting, the change is also small when compared to larger numbers. All of these religious groups combined comprise less than 8% of the entire population of the nation. 

Religion Doesn’t Matter as Much With Everyday Life

Another noteworthy cultural shift that has happened in the religious landscape of Canada in recent decades is how citizens view faith and everyday life. The average Canadian citizen is less likely to care about how religion influences public life. In the 1970s, for example, more than half of the population believed religion had an important role in dictating policy and public behavior. In 2018, this number had dropped significantly, with only 37% of Canadians feeling that it is important for religion to shape the country’s culture. 

Though there are strong opinions on both sides of the fence when it comes to whether religion should dictate policy, there are also those who refuse to be a part of the argument. The 2018 data pointed out that one in five Canadians had no feelings whatsoever about the topic. 

Religion and Morality

Finally, another data point worth noting is about the public’s view of morality. The most recent Pew studies showcase that more than 66% of Canadians feel that a person does not need to be religious to have morals and commit to kind and wise acts. This number has dropped significantly from the 1970s, when most Canadians held the belief that religion was vital to high moral standing.

The role of religion in society might be constantly in flux, but researching patterns and data can be a fun way to get to the “why” of it all. Consider the research discussed here and use your own insight to put together the pieces on why these shifts might be taking place.