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Two national publications recently focused on the search for spirituality. The Nov. 24 Canadian TIME magazine concentrated on the surprising places people look for spirituality. The November Reader’s Digest looked at what Canadians believe about God. The separation of spirituality from religion seems to be the dominant trend in Canada today, taking people on a spiritual journey away from the church. This journey is highly personal rather than based in religious communities.
The VisionTV Annual Survey on Faith and Spirituality, commissioned in conjunction with TIME, found that 66% of Canadians “strongly” believe in God, similar to the Reader’s Digest survey where 64% “definitely” believe. However, according to Statistics Canada, only 20% (15 or older) attended religious services in 2001, compared to 1955 when 58% attended. Other findings from the two surveys are:
- 60% of people with university education have a definite belief in God, while among Canadians who have not graduated from high school this number is higher, at 74%.
- People explore spirituality through less traditional means, for example, through friendship, music, nature.
- 66% incorporate prayer to nurture their spirituality.
- 52% of Canadians read religious books.
- 70% of women definitely believe in God, while only 57% of men do.
According to TIME magazine, some Canadians have begun to combine aspects of different religions, while churches are trying to focus on spirituality to keep their members in the church. Although attendance in Canadian churches is down, clearly there is no lack of spiritual hunger in Canada today.
—Fiona Kamphuis
Fiona Kamphuis, a student at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, is doing a practicum at the MB Herald for one of her courses this year.
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