The world, Canada and Waterloo Region Religious Statistics

Religion in the World

World Statistics for 2005 Christianity – 2.1 billion (over 1 billion RC) Islam billion Hinduism million Buddhism million Indigenous million Sikhism - 23 million Judaism - 14 million

Religion in Canada is changing In Canada, the numbers of people who do not attend religious services is increasing. Does this imply that Canadians are not spiritual or just not religious? Almost 40% of adult Canadians who do not attend services say they do religious practices on their own. 44% of Canadians rate religion as highly important to them, whether or not they attend services. Stats Canada looks at religiosity using four measurements (affiliation, attendance, personal practices, importance of religion) and finds that Canadian’s religiosity depends on a few factors: Age (people often become more religious with age) Time in Canada (newer Canadians tend to be more religious) Parents’ religion (same or different than each other) Gender

Why are some people religious? Create a t-chart: Reasons people are religiousReasons people are not religious

Why are some people religious? According to some experts, people are religious because of: being taught it in childhood fear desperation/need tradition social connections comfort and reassurance spiritual fulfillment/happiness Accepting the teachings as true (rational) Some people leave religion because of: Dislike of structure, limitations, restrictions Finding it irrelevant or out- dated Disillusionment with the institutions Finding group exclusive Preferring alternative explanations Finding practices, services dull

Religious pluralism Historically, Christianity has been the dominant religion in Canada while the gov’t protects the right to practice any religion. As immigration patterns change and native-born Canadians become less religious, Christian numbers are decreasing. Christian social justice programs and charities will need to be replaced with others Province/Territory Christians British Columbia 54.9% Yukon 58.4% Alberta 71.3% Ontario 74.5% Canada 77.1% Manitoba 77.8% Northwest TerritoriesNorthwest Territories 79.9% Saskatchewan 82.6% Nova Scotia 86.9% Quebec 90.2% New Brunswick 91.4% Prince Edward IslandPrince Edward Island 92.8% Nunavut 93.2% Newfoundland and LabradorNewfoundland and Labrador 97.1%

2001 Percentage distribution (2001) Percentage change ( )Median age Canada Total population 29,639, %9.8%37.3 Roman Catholic12,793, %4.8%37.8 No religion4,796, %43.9%31.1 United Church2,839,1259.6%- 8.2%44.1 Anglican2,035,5006.9%- 7.0%43.8 Christian not included elsewhere780,4502.6%121.1%30.2 Baptist729,4702.5%10.0%39.3 Lutheran606,5902.0%- 4.7%43.3 Muslim579,6402.0%128.9%28.1 Protestant not included elsewhere 549,2051.9%- 12.7%40.4 Presbyterian409,8301.4%- 35.6%46.0 Pentecostal369,4751.2%- 15.3%33.5 Jewish329,9951.1%3.7%41.5 Buddhist300,3451.0%83.8%38.0 Hindu297,2001.0%89.3%31.9 Sikh278,4100.9%88.8%29.7

Greek Orthodox 215,1750.7%- 7.1%40.7 Mennonite 191,4650.6%- 7.9%32.0 Orthodox not included elsewhere 165,4200.6%79.9%35.4 Jehovah's Witnesses 154,7500.5%- 8.1%38.7 Ukrainian Catholic 126,2000.4%- 1.7%45.0 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) 101,8050.3%8.4%28.7 Salvation Army 87,7900.3%- 21.9%39.3 Christian Reformed Church 76,6700.3%- 9.5%32.3 Evangelical Missionary Church 66,7050.2%48.4%35.2 Christian and Missionary Alliance 66,2850.2%11.9%34.5 Adventist 62,8800.2%20.1%35.5 Non-denominational 40,5450.1%26.7%33.0 Ukrainian Orthodox 32,7200.1%- 5.1%45.8 Aboriginal spirituality 29,8200.1%175.1%25.0 Hutterite 26,2950.1%22.3%22.2 Methodist 25,7300.1%6.1%43.9 Pagan 21,0800.1%281.2%30.4 Brethren in Christ 20,5900.1%- 22.0%38.2 Serbian Orthodox 20,5200.1%109.5%34.8

Top Religious Denominations in Canada % change (in numbers) Number % % Total Population32,522,00042,078, Christian24,340, ,285, Roman CatholicRoman Catholic13,830, ,389, Total Protestant8,970, ,973, Christian OrthodoxChristian Orthodox566, , Christian, not included elsewhere 974, ,944, No Religious Affiliation5,680, ,780, Other2,501, ,013, MuslimMuslim884, ,870, JewishJewish348, , BuddhistBuddhist358, , HinduHindu406, ,024, SikhSikh384, , Other122, ,

What patterns do we see in Canada? Median age? Growth? Decline? How do these changes relate to immigration patterns? What do you predict 10 years in the future?

Data for Waterloo Region Religion Projected Buddhists Hindus Jews Muslims Sikhs Other Regional Population Approx