Question for Canadians!

Infohawk

Lifer
Jan 12, 2002
17,844
1
0
If so, how do you deal with them since your country seems non-radical. If not, why not? Why didn't one develop in Canada like it did in the US?

If anyone has any stats on the born again / evangelical population in Canada I'd appreciate it.

The US has 102 million born agains / evangelicals according to gallup.
 

AnitaPeterson

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
6,028
571
126
Short answer: No

We have some nuts, too, but you have to keep in mind that Canada was colonized by the French and the English - and the French were Catholics. The U.S had more Protestants - and the Fundies you refer to are more likely to come from this crop.

Also, about 10 percent of the Canadian population since 1970 are new immigrants, and religion is the least of their worries.
 

Infohawk

Lifer
Jan 12, 2002
17,844
1
0
Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
Short answer: No

We have some nuts, too, but you have to keep in mind that Canada was colonized by the French and the English - and the French were Catholics. The U.S had more Protestants - and the Fundies you refer to are more likely to come from this crop.

Also, about 10 percent of the Canadian population since 1970 are new immigrants, and religion is the least of their worries.

I always thought the English/Protestant population was a lot larger than the French/Catholic population... Hmm... So I guess it's not even an issue in Canada.
 

AnitaPeterson

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2001
6,028
571
126
Yes, the French/English ratio favors the English, but the overall tone was set with the help of the French...
 

3chordcharlie

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2004
9,859
1
81
Yes, of course we do.

Our legal and legislative systems are shifted slightly towards protection of minority rights compared to the American one. So we are slightly more likely to have issues taken out of 'majority rules' territory.

Good example: IF it were put to a vote, Canada would vote to ban same-sex marriage - not by as large a margin as most states given that vote did last night, but by a pretty good margin. (This is true even though national opinion is almost exactly split on the issue, when you consider that the issue is only a wedge in one direction - those opposed to SS marriage would be highly motivated to vote, those in favour, most of them straight themselves, would perceive less vested interest.)

(On a side not, high turn-out of social conservatives due to the marriage definition question on the ballot in so many states may have done more for Bush than all his campaigning put together.)
 

Infohawk

Lifer
Jan 12, 2002
17,844
1
0
Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
Yes, of course we do.

Our legal and legislative systems are shifted slightly towards protection of minority rights compared to the American one. So we are slightly more likely to have issues taken out of 'majority rules' territory.

Good example: IF it were put to a vote, Canada would vote to ban same-sex marriage - not by as large a margin as most states given that vote did last night, but by a pretty good margin. (This is true even though national opinion is almost exactly split on the issue, when you consider that the issue is only a wedge in one direction - those opposed to SS marriage would be highly motivated to vote, those in favour, most of them straight themselves, would perceive less vested interest.)
I'm not sure how this explains why Canada's fundamentalist christian population doesn't seem to have a radicalizing effect on Canada.

(On a side not, high turn-out of social conservatives due to the marriage definition question on the ballot in so many states may have done more for Bush than all his campaigning put together.)
Yeah, that's the basis for this OP.
 

3chordcharlie

Diamond Member
Mar 30, 2004
9,859
1
81
Originally posted by: Infohawk
Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
Yes, of course we do.

Our legal and legislative systems are shifted slightly towards protection of minority rights compared to the American one. So we are slightly more likely to have issues taken out of 'majority rules' territory.

Good example: IF it were put to a vote, Canada would vote to ban same-sex marriage - not by as large a margin as most states given that vote did last night, but by a pretty good margin. (This is true even though national opinion is almost exactly split on the issue, when you consider that the issue is only a wedge in one direction - those opposed to SS marriage would be highly motivated to vote, those in favour, most of them straight themselves, would perceive less vested interest.)
I'm not sure how this explains why Canada's fundamentalist christian population doesn't seem to have a radicalizing effect on Canada.
The fundamentalist population is smaller, and to a limited extent concentrated in the west of Canada.

For the last 20 years there has been a western party which carried this population easily, but wasn't strong enough to win the country, due to it's scary social-conservative platform. In the most recent election, this party had swallowed the old social-liberal/fiscal-conservative party, and under the guise of moderation, managed to take a large minority of the seats; the governing party now has a minority in parliament, and Canada is likely headed to another election in the next 6-18 months.

Coupled with the Quebec 'Bloc' party, Canada has actually become extremely polarized, and stable government is a luxury we aren't likely to get on a regular basis until something changes.

So the long answer to your question is "yes - and chances are they won't be held in check for very much longer".



 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,809
6,363
126
A Canadian "Fundamentalist" is much more reserved than an American one. It's a cliche, but very true IME. Basides, their numbers are quite lower as % of population, making them less able to control others.