Canada Loses When Church Going Declines

By John Longhurst

August 13, 2018

Canadians who shrug off the loss of organized religion need to be made aware of the vital role churches and other faith-based institutions play in our national life, writes Convivium contributor John Longhurst.

Historically, they write, churches were the places most Canadians learned how to be civically engaged through things like speaking in public, leading meetings, being part of boards or committees, discussing issues with people with differing viewpoints, giving to charity, and doing service in the community As it turns out, it’s just not religious people who benefit from churches and other places of worship From the global to the local, religion plays a role in making the world, and Canada, a better place by serving as community gathering places, hosting concerts or seniors’ programs, or letting youth use their parking lots to play basketball As an editorial in the Winnipeg Free Press put it, the refugees “describe warm welcomes from church people who are already established in the community and are willing to befriend newcomers, helping them learn English and find a job

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