Identity, Faith. Learning and Interfaith Relations in Canada Presentation for

Identity, Faith. Learning and Interfaith Relations in Canada

Presentation for Interfaith and Belonging Canadian Race Relations Foundation JACK JEDWAB ASSOCIATION FOR CANADIAN STUDIES October 16, 2012

Methodology Conducted by the firm Leger Marketing

for the Association for Canadian Studies and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, was done via web panel with 1522 respondents between March 17 and March 19, 2012. Across the country an equivalent phone survey would have a margin of error of 2.9 points 19 times out of 20)

Attachment to religion lowest across identities-increases amongst 65 plus

Total A manA

woman 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 + French English OtherTotal Weight

1522 735 787 179 247 297 307 226 267 332 877 297

TotNumb

1522 813 709 115 206 313 392 223 273 428 954 132

Canada 84% 83% 86% 79% 80% 82% 88% 87% 89% 54% 95% 89%Prov 88% 87% 88% 83% 85% 85% 87% 90% 94% 91% 88% 82%My Lang Group

78% 75% 81% 62% 78% 77% 82% 80% 85% 84% 80% 65%

My Ethnic Community

51% 50% 53% 40% 49% 58% 55% 47% 54% 57% 50% 47%

My Religious Group

38% 34% 41% 29% 32% 40% 34% 37% 52% 26% 39% 45%

Importance of religion and belief in God is lowest amongst youth Agree Total A man A woman 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 +

Religion is an important part of my life

42% 37% 46% 30% 38% 43% 38% 42% 56%

God exists 67% 64% 71% 56% 63% 71% 66% 65% 79%

Good Deeds are rewarded

76% 71% 81% 77% 72% 76% 77% 77% 79%

Bad Deeds are punished

63% 58% 67% 72% 65% 61% 60% 63% 58%

A higher power governs the world

58% 54% 62% 52% 55% 60% 54% 55% 69%

There is life after death

63% 58% 68% 60% 61% 64% 61% 62% 70%

Francophones least likely to believe that a high power governs

Agree Total French English OtherMaritim

es QC ON MB/SK AB BC

Religion is an important part of my life

42% 33% 44% 43% 47% 33% 45% 54% 43% 37%

God exists

67% 64% 68% 69% 70% 62% 70% 79% 67% 62%

Good Deeds are rewarded

76% 77% 77% 75% 82% 78% 76% 82% 75% 70%

Bad Deeds are punished

63% 54% 64% 68% 70% 56% 66% 65% 60% 60%

A higher power governs the world

58% 45% 60% 67% 62% 46% 62% 73% 66% 52%

There is life after death

63% 62% 65% 57% 60% 60% 65% 69% 67% 59%

Canadians can practice freely but rights of women may be affected

AGREE Total A man

A woman 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 + French English Other

People can

practise their

religion freely in Canada

91% 93% 90% 91% 94% 91% 91% 91% 90% 84% 94% 94%

Religion inevitably poses a threat to women's rights

45% 44% 45% 49% 44% 40% 42% 49% 45% 55% 43% 35%

Religion brings people together more than it divides them

47% 44% 49% 42% 43% 47% 44% 43% 58% 40% 48% 51%

I want to learn more about religions other than my own

49% 48% 49% 46% 56% 51% 42% 48% 48% 40% 55% 41%

Yes to Religious Pluralism, But…

AGREE Total A man

A woman 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 + French English Other

There is room for a variety of religions in Canada

82% 84% 81% 84% 83% 80% 83% 84% 79% 74% 82% 91%

We have to take steps to protect our Canadian religious traditions from outside influences

51% 48% 54% 41% 53% 46% 45% 53% 69% 65% 51% 38%

Francophones least likely to believe that religion can resolve personal problems

Do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following: /

Religion can help address personal problems

French English OtherStrongly agree 9.7% 21.8% 29.6%

Somewhat agree 41.4% 43.7% 34.7%

Somewhat disagree 26.0% 20.4% 24.6%

Strongly disagree 23.0% 14.1% 11.1%

It is leaders and not religious people that lack trust

Total Trust Total A man

A woman 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 +

People that are religious

67% 63% 70% 66% 66% 64% 66% 67% 72%

People that are not religious/Atheists

73% 71% 75% 79% 72% 77% 71% 68% 73%

Clergy/Religious Leaders

48% 46% 51% 39% 47% 43% 47% 50% 62%

Those who believe that God exists are most likely to trust religious leaders

God existsClergy/Religious Leaders

Strongly agree Somewhat agreeSomewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Trusted a lot 18.4% 5.5% 4.0% 5.0%

Somewhat trusted 45.3% 44.1% 31.6% 17.4%

Trusted a little 25.9% 35.3% 42.7% 33.1%

Not trusted at all 10.4% 15.0% 21.7% 44.6%

Those who consider religion as important in their lives are far more inclined to affirmGod’s existence (see table below) and far more likely to agree that good deeds will be rewarded

Religion is an important part of my lifeGod exists

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagreeStrongly agree 95.7% 56.4% 22.2% 6.9%Somewhat agree 3.3% 41.2% 52.0% 18.3%Somewhat disagree .7% 2.1% 23.6% 30.2%Strongly disagree .3% .3% 2.2% 44.6%

Religion is an important part of my lifeGood deeds are rewarded

Strongly agree Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagreeStrongly agree 58.0% 26.9% 17.6% 12.9%

Somewhat agree 36.4% 56.3% 59.6% 48.0%

Somewhat disagree 4.9% 13.8% 17.6% 21.5%

Strongly disagree .7% 3.1% 5.1% 17.7%

Young Canadians least likely to trust religious leaders

Total Trust Total A man

A woman 18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 +

People that are religious

67% 63% 70% 66% 66% 64% 66% 67% 72%

People that are not religious/Atheists

73% 71% 75% 79% 72% 77% 71% 68% 73%

Clergy/Religious Leaders

48% 46% 51% 39% 47% 43% 47% 50% 62%

Those who want to learn more about other religions more likely to agree that religion unifies



Strongly agreeSomewhat

agreeSomewhat

disagreeStrongly

disagree

Strongly agree 27.1% 39.1% 20.0% 13.8%

Somewhat agree 11.4% 45.7% 28.9% 14.0%


Strongly disagree 10.3% 22.5% 18.3% 48.9%

Those who want to learn more about other religions more positive about Muslims


Do you have a very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative or very negative opinion of the following: / Muslims


agreeSomewhat

disagreeStrongly

disagree

Very positive 30.1% 39.9% 9.2% 20.8%

Somewhat positive 14.4% 45.2% 24.8% 15.6%

Somewhat negative 8.8% 32.0% 31.7% 27.4%

Very negative 5.7% 17.4% 34.8% 42.2%

Those who want to learn more about other religions more positive about Jews


Do you have a very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative or very negative opinion of the following: / Jews


agreeSomewhat

disagreeStrongly

disagree

Very positive 21.7% 43.4% 18.1% 16.8%



Very negative 4.2% 15.5% 25.4% 54.9%

Those who want to learn more about other religions more positive about MC Policy


Do you have a very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative or very negative opinion of the following: / Canadian Multicultural Policy


agreeSomewhat

disagreeStrongly

disagree

Very positive 30.6% 34.1% 20.5% 14.8%



Very negative 6.3% 22.7% 29.5% 41.5%

Those who want to learn more about other religions more trusting of Muslims


The following can be trusted a lot, somewhat trusted, trusted a little or not trusted at all: / Muslims


agreeSomewhat

disagreeStrongly

disagree

Trusted a lot 41.8% 34.2% 6.8% 17.1%


Trusted a little 7.1% 35.6% 34.5% 22.8%


Those who want to learn more about other religions more trusting of Jews


The following can be trusted a lot, somewhat trusted, trusted a little or not trusted at all: / Jews


agreeSomewhat

disagreeStrongly

disagree

Trusted a lot 29.8% 38.3% 13.6% 18.3%


Trusted a little 6.8% 27.7% 37.8% 27.7%


Those supporting interfaith dialogue more likely to agree that religion unifies

Government should provide funds to support dialogue to resolve problems between religious communities



agreeSomewhat

disagreeStrongly

disagree

Strongly agree 19.6% 29.5% 30.4% 20.5%

Somewhat agree 5.2% 30.4% 43.0% 21.5%


Strongly disagree 1.7% 18.9% 18.3% 61.1%

Muslims less trusted than other groups Total Trust Total

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 +Protestant 71% 53% 69% 69% 74% 73% 83%

Catholics 70% 63% 67% 66% 68% 73% 83%

Jews 69% 64% 69% 65% 71% 69% 77%

Aboriginals 64% 66% 66% 64% 66% 59% 60%

Immigrants 63% 73% 63% 62% 62% 57% 62%

Muslims 48% 56% 50% 51% 49% 45% 39%

As observed below, some 43% of Canadians strongly agree that they have heard negative comments about Muslims over the past year compared with 31% in the case of Aboriginals and 25% in the case of Jews.

I have heard negative comments about…in the past year

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Muslims 43.5% 38.8% 11.1% 6.5% 100.0%

Aboriginals 31.2% 37.6% 20.7% 10.4% 100.0%

Jews 24.7% 34.4% 26.4% 14.5% 100.0%

People least likely to agree that discrimination towards black people not their fault If there is discrimination against…it is mainly their fault

Total

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 +Muslims 42% 28% 41% 38% 39% 39% 62%

Jews 26% 20% 30% 25% 26% 24% 28%

Black People 19% 24% 20% 17% 17% 16% 20%

Most Canadians possess negative view of relations between Muslims and non-Muslims

Relations Between Muslims and Non-Muslims

Total Maritimes QC ON MB/SK AB BCTOTAL positive

38% 57% 26% 42% 42% 42% 35%

Very positive 8% 12% 4% 11% 9% 10% 6%

Somewhat positive

30% 45% 22% 31% 33% 32% 29%

TOTAL negative

51% 30% 66% 47% 47% 49% 50%

Somewhat negative

33% 23% 38% 32% 27% 30% 41%

Very negative 18% 7% 28% 15% 20% 19% 9%

I prefer not answering

11% 13% 7% 11% 11% 9% 15%

Young people more optimistic around relations between Muslims and non-Muslims

Relations Between Muslims and Non-Muslims

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 + French English OtherTOTAL positive

56% 35% 34% 43% 38% 29% 25% 44% 38%

Very positive 24% 4% 7% 7% 5% 8% 5% 9% 10%

Somewhat positive

32% 31% 27% 35% 34% 22% 20% 35% 28%

TOTAL negative

31% 51% 54% 47% 53% 64% 66% 46% 52%

Somewhat negative

20% 37% 41% 30% 30% 38% 38% 31% 34%

Very negative 11% 14% 14% 17% 24% 26% 28% 14% 17%


13% 14% 12% 11% 8% 7% 9% 11% 10%

Those who were the most likely to have heard negative comments about Muslims were the most likely to hold negative opinions about them. But those with moderate exposure to such comments held negative views to the same degree as those who heard very little negative remarks about Muslims.

Do you have a very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative or very negative opinion of the

following: / Muslims I have heard negative comments about Muslims in the past year

Somewhat negative Very negative Total Negative

Strongly agree 33.2% 22.6% 55.8%

Somewhat agree 29.6% 7.3% 36.9%



I have heard negative comments about Muslims in the past year

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Age 43.5% 38.8% 11.1% 6.5% 100.0%

18-24 years of age 48.9% 38.3% 6.1% 6.7% 100.0%

25-34 years of age 45.3% 38.1% 12.6% 4.0% 100.0%

35-44 years of age 37.2% 38.3% 18.5% 6.0% 100.0%

45-54 years of age 38.6% 41.5% 9.2% 10.8% 100.0%

55-64 years of age 44.9% 33.0% 15.4% 6.6% 100.0%

65-74 years of age 46.3% 45.8% 4.9% 3.0% 100.0%

Negative comments about Muslims have been heard to roughly equal degrees across the age spectrum

When comparing the provinces, it is British Columbians that are least likely to report that they heard negative comments about Muslims with residents of Saskatchewan most likely to have heard them.

I have heard negative comments about Muslims in the past year

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Alberta 46.2% 41.0% 10.3% 2.6% 100.0%

British Columbia 34.0% 46.8% 15.8% 3.4% 100.0%

Manitoba 40.0% 34.5% 7.3% 18.2% 100.0%

New Brunswick 41.7% 33.3% 11.1% 13.9% 100.0%

Nova Scotia 44.4% 20.0% 15.6% 20.0% 100.0%

Ontario 43.0% 39.2% 11.6% 6.1% 100.0%

Quebec 48.8% 37.7% 7.4% 6.1% 100.0%

Saskatchewan 55.3% 34.0% 4.3% 6.4% 100.0%

Quebecers most negative about relations between Jews and non-Jews

Relations Between Jews and Non-Jews

Total Maritimes QC ON MB/SK AB BCTOTAL positive

59% 67% 38% 67% 61% 63% 64%

Very positive

15% 23% 6% 19% 14% 18% 13%

Somewhat positive

44% 43% 32% 49% 47% 45% 51%

TOTAL negative

30% 20% 52% 23% 26% 31% 21%

Somewhat negative

23% 18% 36% 18% 20% 22% 20%

Very negative

7% 2% 16% 5% 6% 9% 1%


10% 13% 9% 10% 13% 6% 15%

Young Canadians somewhat less likely to be positive about relations between Jews and non-Jews

Relations Between Jews and Non-Jews

18-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65 + FrenchEnglis

h OtherTOTAL positive

69% 50% 55% 57% 59% 68% 39% 67% 62%

Very positive

23% 13% 12% 14% 11% 19% 8% 17% 17%

Somewhat positive

46% 37% 43% 44% 48% 49% 31% 50% 45%

TOTAL negative

19% 36% 31% 31% 34% 28% 51% 23% 27%

Somewhat negative

9% 30% 25% 23% 24% 22% 35% 19% 21%

Very negative

10% 6% 6% 7% 10% 6% 16% 5% 7%


11% 14% 14% 12% 7% 4% 10% 10% 11%

In the case of Jews, those who were more exposed to negative comments were more likely to hold negative opinions about the group

Do you have a very positive, somewhat positive, somewhat negative or very negative opinion of the

following: / Jews

I have heard negative

comments about Jews in

the past year Somewhat negative Very negative Total Negative

Strongly agree 16.5% 8.5% 25.0%

Somewhat agree 18.9% 3.1% 22%



In the case of Jews, it is the youngest cohort that is somewhat more exposed to negative remarks.

I have heard negative comments about Jews in the past year

Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Somewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Age 24.7% 34.4% 26.4% 14.5% 100.0%

18-24 years of age 34.8% 30.9% 18.0% 16.3% 100.0%

25-34 years of age 25.1% 33.2% 31.6% 10.1% 100.0%

35-44 years of age 25.9% 29.3% 30.0% 14.8% 100.0%

45-54 years of age 24.1% 32.9% 24.4% 18.6% 100.0%

55-64 years of age 23.5% 31.4% 31.9% 13.3% 100.0%

65-74 years of age 13.9% 51.5% 19.8% 14.9% 100.0%

Manitobans were least likely to hear negative remarks about Jews which was most common in Quebec

I have heard negative comments about Jews in the past yearStrongly

agreeSomewha

t agreeSomewhat disagree

Strongly disagree

Total

Alberta 23.7% 39.7% 25.6% 10.9% 100.0%

British Columbia 15.3% 28.6% 39.4% 16.7% 100.0%

Manitoba 11.1% 25.9% 37.0% 25.9% 100.0%

New Brunswick 22.2% 30.6% 22.2% 25.0% 100.0%

Nova Scotia 28.3% 21.7% 17.4% 32.6% 100.0%

Ontario 26.1% 33.2% 26.6% 14.1% 100.0%

Quebec 30.1% 40.6% 18.2% 11.0% 100.0%

Saskatchewan 21.7% 41.3% 28.3% 8.7% 100.0%

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