Research has shown that secularism and quality of life are correlated. And although Canada has made progress towards becoming a more secular nation since Confederation, we still have far to go. It is through the process of inquiry that CFIC makes Canadians aware of the degree to which government decisions are based on religion, the degree to which religious beliefs allow institutions to flout human rights legislation, and the degree to which Canada’s strong affiliation with faith groups is costing our society. It is through inquiry, that we understand and can change this.
This year, CFIC, along with our humanist partners, successfully petitioned the Government of Canada to include atheists in the less complex claims process for refugees. We continue to call out the human rights violations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario for funding Catholic school boards and we published the final report in a series that quantifies the cost of a single, misplaced, non-secular policy which provides charitable status to organizations whose mission is to proselytize.
Further, this year, CFIC concluded our five-part Cost of Religion in Canada series, demonstrating that funding religious charities costs Canadians $5.5 billion each year. Through this inquiry, CFIC has highlighted the antiquated charitable purpose of “advancement of religion.” Only inquiries such as this will shift our nation towards more secular policies.
CFIC has suggested that people inquire about the validity of the census data on religiosity in Canada. We submit that this data is based on a misleading question about religion. CFIC is currently strategizing on how to include a more accurate question about religion in the 2031 census. Perhaps most importantly, CFIC provides leadership by helping Canadians understand and interpret the data on religion.
“Secularism matters. Research has shown that religiosity and quality of life are inversely related. Where faith determines (or significantly influences) public policy, society suffers from greater rates of homicide, violent crime, poverty, obesity, diabetes, child abuse, unemployment, and teen pregnancy. Conversely, where governments neither support nor suppress religion, incomes tend to be higher, life spans longer and people happier. In short, society thrives. This is true both between countries (Japan and Netherlands vs. Colombia and Pakistan) and within them (compare Vermont and New Hampshire to Mississippi and Alabama). Violating secular principles comes at the cost of a significant reduction in a society’s quality of life.“
Inquiry… It’s in our name.