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Vision TV Survey on Faith and Spirituality
Editorial Note: The following article represents a summary of a larger survey recently conducted on behalf of Vision TV.
Vision TV study shows interest in aspects of spiritual life growing Despite declining church attendance, Canada remains a nation of spiritual seekers, according to the results of a survey commissioned by multi-faith broadcaster Vision TV and published in TIME Canada on the issue of November 24, 2004.
The findings show that more than 80 percent of respondents believe in God, while more than 60 percent believe in heaven and hell. More than three-quarters think at least sometimes about spiritual questions, and significant majorities say that the various aspects of spiritual life - such
as having a frame of reference for moral decisions - hold importance for them.
What's more, the results also indicate that spiritual concerns have taken on growing significance for Canadians over the past decade. Environics Research Group Limited conducted this study of Canadian attitudes toward faith and spirituality on behalf of Vision TV, surveying 1,202
individuals aged 18 and over. The new research updates the results of a similar survey done for Vision TV in 1993.
Said Vision TV's Vice President, Communications and Marketing, Suzanna Mandryk: "Statistics from the most recent census have suggested that Canadians are losing their faith, but our survey says otherwise. More people now appear to be pursuing their spiritual interests outside the bounds of traditional religion. But we have not abandoned belief in a higher power, or our interest in the deeper questions of human existence."
According to the survey findings, respondents explore spirituality through a wide variety of activities that go far beyond traditional religious practice, such as doing good deeds, experiencing nature and engaging in silent reflection. There have been notable increases since 1993 in the
number of people who say they use these and other means to experience the spiritual side of life.
It is also clear that Canadians value their country's religious pluralism. Three-quarters describe Canada's diversity of faiths as a source of "strength and vitality" to individual beliefs. And more than eight in 10 agree that all religions have elements of truth.
Said Mandryk: "As a multi-faith and multicultural television network, Vision TV has spent the last 15 years striving to give Canadians better understanding and appreciation of the many different faith traditions in this country. This survey deepens our awareness of the role that spirituality plays in people's lives today."
For access to a colour printable, PDF version of Vision TV Annual Faith Survey, please visit our website at: http://www.visiontv.ca/HTML/Programs/VisionTVAnnualSurvey.pdf Should you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us at the address below.
Eloisa Stella, Communications Coordinator
Vision TV and One: the Body, Mind & Spirit Channel
80 Bond St. Toronto, ON M5B 1X2
Tel. (416) 368-5530 ext 298 Fax (416) 368-9774
email: estella@visiontv.ca website: www.visiontv.ca
Posted by editor on March 15, 2004 01:38 PM