Christianity facts and figures
- There are 2.2 billion Christians worldwide, according to the 2006 Encyclopaedia Britannica. This accounts for 33.2 per cent of the world's population.
- Christianity is the only major religion practised in every country around the world.
- Of Christians worldwide, 1.14 billion identify themselves as Roman Catholic. About 432 million are Independent, 382 million Protestant, 219 million Orthodox and 81 million Anglican.
- According to the 2001 census, almost 23 million Canadians identify themselves as practising Christians. That's a little more than 77 per cent of the total population.
- Catholics outnumber Protestants in Quebec, the Northwest Territories and New Brunswick.
- Ontario and Prince Edward Island have roughly equal numbers of Catholics and Protestants, while Protestants outnumber Catholics in the rest of Canada.
Viewpoint and Analysis
Related Features
- IN DEPTHFaith-based schools
- The idea that dominated the Ontario election
- ARTSGeez, please
- Not your average Christian magazine
- CBC RADIOTapestry
- A weekly exploration of spirituality, religion and the search for meaning
- IDEASUtopian wreckage
- Part 1
(Runs 31:01)
Part 2 (Runs 22:34)
The Faithful
As a Muslim, I feel inundated by sound bites from both sides of the fence. Islam is "the fastest growing religion" and a "religion of peace." Alternatively, I hear the terms "Islamofascist," "East vs. West" — the list goes on and on.
The Faithful
My first name, Gurjung, connects two ideas — gur is the beginning of the word guru, and jung means conflict or struggle. So, put together, Gurjung is the conflict/struggle of life with the Gurus' teachings to guide.
The Faithful
To be a Canadian Hindu to me means to take nothing as absolute truth. Dharma, the social good, is necessarily dynamic and adapts to suit every society.
The Faithful
The rich history of Judaism is a compelling story. I wonder how we survived both internal strife and external threats. The story of Joseph is an example of the former and the Holocaust the latter.
The Faithful
Because the Dharma is so pervasive and eternal, it covers all situations. There is nothing on the news, in society, or in science that could ever bring doubt to my beliefs.
The Faithful
We were raised in the depths of the reserve by an Ojibwa father and a white mother. Sometimes that Sunday ritual of self-understanding and spiritual exposure meant going to a place called "the Lodge" almost right after church.
Our Radio Reports
- The World at Six, Jan. 11
- Eastern religions and the search for a relevant truth in a material age. (Runs 4:41) Listen
- The World at Six, Jan. 10
- Worship in the workplace, and the legal obligations for employers. (Runs 4:26) Listen
- World Report, Jan. 10
- When the interests of companies clash with the religious beliefs of their employees.
Listen: Part 1 (Runs 1:43) | Part 2 (Runs 1:45)
- The World at Six, Jan. 9
- The power of prayer in healing, and recovery from mental, physical and emotional illnesses.
Listen(Runs 4:52)
Your Comments
"By reading the descriptions of different religions, it appears the intent of 'religion' is to better ourselves, give answers and, most importantly, find peace within. If that really is the case, then can believing in a god do us any harm?" — Chris, Saskatchewan
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"One thing I hope for is that people keep asking God their hardest questions." — Geoff Rousseau
