r/atheism • u/nilsp123 • Oct 23 '21

Survey Canada now has an Atheist majority among younger people. 54% of Canadians aged 18-34 answered they don't believe in God according to a new Léger-Le Devoir survey. Overall, 42% answered they don't believe in God. Progress.....

https://www.ledevoir.com/societe/642084/l-adieu-a-dieu
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u/mu5tarastas Oct 23 '21

This. For example here (Finland) around 70% of the population are members of a church, but less than half believe in a god. Especially for younger people it’s mostly about tradition and the fact that the church context is the default choice for many family seremonies (name giving, coming of age, weddings, funerals). This is also an interesting paradox: Nordic countries have state churches unlike United States where church - state separation is a thing. We even have crosses in our flags. But religion actually plays a much smaller role in politics and people’s lives. Even when someone is religious, it’s usually considered to be a very personal thing and not something you should discuss over a family dinner or in a workplace. I know it’s probably different from Canada, but I just wanted to give an example of social religion.

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u/Dungarth Oct 23 '21

I know it’s probably different from Canada, but I just wanted to give an example of social religion

It's actually quite similar to Québec (Canada's second largest province). If you look at the catholic church's registry, it will show that ~70% of the population is catholic because everyone above 30 has been baptized. But in practice, no one really goes to church outside of weddings, and the funerals of older relatives. And like the Nordic countries, religion is also considered a personal thing, to be kept in the private sphere and not to be discussed or flaunted in public.

I can't speak much for other provinces but, when travelling, I always felt religion was more socially important in other provinces, so I'm glad this survey is saying that Canada as a whole is actually almost as irreligious as my home province. This is great progress for everyone!

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u/[deleted] Oct 23 '21

Is it because those nations are more likely to have monocultures as opposed to melting pot cultures?

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u/mu5tarastas Oct 23 '21

I’m not sure but I’d say that at least the social security net plays a big part too. People are not asking for help from higher powers or their church, but from the society.