Over recent years, we've watch the evolving landscape of religious belief and affiliation in Canada with keen interest. New data from Pew Research Center's international religious switching report offers compelling insights into these changes. For Humanists, there's much to be optimistic about, particularly the significant increase in the number of religiously unaffiliated Canadians.
Religious switching, according to the report, is when an adult no longer identifies with the religious affiliation they were raised with. For example, a child raised Christian becomes a Buddhist or atheist. It can also go the other way with a non-religious child becoming religious. The report doesn't distinguish between those who identify as atheists, agnostics, humanists and otherwise non-religious. Instead, it groups these people as broadly "disaffiliated."
The report highlights that religious switching is fairly common in Canada, with approximately 38% of adults now identifying with a religious category (or no religion) different from their childhood upbringing. Canada is the third most common country for religious switching. Only South Korea (50%) and Spain (40%) have more switchers. This dynamic environment reflects a growing sense of individual autonomy and a willingness to explore different belief systems, or indeed, to embrace a life guided by reason and evidence without religious dogma.
One of the most notable trends in Canada is the substantial net gain in the religiously unaffiliated population. The study reveals that while only 14% of Canadian adults were raised without a religious affiliation, 41% now identify as atheist, agnostic, or "nothing in particular". This positive shift is largely driven by individuals leaving their childhood religions, with 30% of all Canadian adults having moved away from a religious upbringing to become religiously unaffiliated. In contrast, only a small fraction (3%) have moved in the opposite direction, from no religion to a religious identity. This clear trend underscores a growing comfort and acceptance of non-religious identities in Canadian society.
While the report indicates that Christianity has experienced net losses, with a significant portion of those raised Christian now identifying as unaffiliated (36%). The data suggests that more and more Canadians are finding meaning and purpose outside of traditional religious frameworks.
It's also interesting to note that the retention rate for those raised without religion remains high at 78%. This suggests that for many, the decision to identify as religiously unaffiliated is a considered and stable one. While some do move towards religion (primarily Christianity, at 15%), the overall flow is clearly towards non-religious identities.
Furthermore, the report points to demographic factors influencing these changes. In Canada, younger adults under 35 are more likely to have switched religions or disaffiliated compared to those over 50. This generational shift suggests that the trend towards secularization is likely to continue. Similarly, individuals with more education in Canada tend to have higher rates of religious switching, often towards non-religious identities. This correlation may reflect increased exposure to diverse perspectives and a greater emphasis on rational inquiry.
The findings of this report paint a positive picture for the growth of humanist values in Canada. The increasing numbers of religiously unaffiliated individuals, driven by a move away from traditional religions, represent a society that is increasingly embracing reason, critical thinking, and individual freedom of belief.
It also underlines the importance of continuing to breathe life into the state's duty of religious neutrality. On April 15, we'll be marking the tenth anniversary of the Saguenay ruling that found prayers at local government meetings violated were unconstitutional. And yet we continue to identify municipalities across Canada that open with prayers and most provinces do as well. Many provinces fund religious schools and hospitals. And the federal government continues to privilege religious groups with various charitable and tax advantages.
Help us keep fighting for a more secular and inclusive future by joining the BCHA today.
An initial draft of this report was written with the help of NotebookLM AI.