Canadians like to think of their country as a model for the world of how all sorts of people can get along together. But when it comes to the major faiths other than Christianity, a new poll conducted for Maclean’s finds that many Canadians harbour deeply troubling biases. Multiculturalism? Although by now it might seem an ingrained national creed, fewer than one in three Canadians can find it in their hearts to view Islam or Sikhism in a favourable light. Diversity? Canadians may embrace it in theory, but only a minority say they would find it acceptable if one of their kids came home engaged to a Muslim, Hindu or Sikh. Understanding? There’s not enough to prevent media images of war and terrorism from convincing almost half of Canadians that mainstream Islam encourages violence.
The poll, by Angus Reid Strategies, surveyed 1,002 randomly selected Canadians on religion at a moment when issues of identity are a hot topic in Ottawa. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has led a push by the Conservative government to revamp citizenship law, emphasizing the need for real bonds to Canada, and Kenney is looking for ways to encourage immigrants to integrate faster and more fully into Canadian society. But as federal policy strives to encourage newcomers to put down roots and fit in, the poll highlights an equal need for the Canadian majority to take a hard look at its distorted preconceptions about religious minorities. “It astonishes and saddens me as a Canadian,” said Angus Reid chief research officer Andrew Grenville, who has been probing Canadians’ views on religion for 16 years. “I don’t think the findings reflect well on Canada at all.”
Those findings leave little doubt that Canadians with a Christian background travel through life benefiting from a broad tendency of their fellow citizens to view their religion more favourably than any other. Across Canada, 72 per cent said they have a “generally favourable opinion” of Christianity. At the other end of the spectrum, Islam scored the lowest favourability rating, just 28 per cent. Sikhism didn’t fare much better at 30 per cent, and Hinduism was rated favourably by 41 per cent. Both Buddhism, at 57 per cent, and Judaism, 53 per cent, were rated favourably by more than half the population—but even Jews and Buddhists might reasonably ask if that’s a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty result.
Bernie Farber, chief executive officer of the Canadian Jewish Congress, said he was shocked that so many Canadians responding to a poll were willing to be so open about their negative feelings toward minority religions. “It tells me,” Farber said, “that our journey from intolerance to tolerance, to where we can actually celebrate each other’s cultures, is elusive.”
From the perspective of Sikhs and, especially, Muslims, that’s putting it mildly. When asked if they thought “the mainstream beliefs” of the major religions “encourage violence or are mostly peaceful,” only 10 per cent said they thought Christianity teaches violence. But fully 45 per cent said they believe Islam does, and a sizable 26 per cent saw Sikhism as encouraging violence. By comparison, just 13 per cent perceived violence in Hindu teachings and 14 per cent in Jewish religion. A tiny four per cent said they think of Buddhism as encouraging violence.
Ihsaan Gardee, executive director of the Council on Islamic-American Relations Canada, said “reductive reasoning” in media coverage of armed conflict in largely Islamic countries is a big part of the problem. Violence in countries with Muslim populations is portrayed as rooted in their religions in what Gardee calls a “clash of civilizations” world view. “They’re not looking at the social and economic context in which these things are happening,” Gardee said. “It can’t be reduced to Islam, per se.”
Clearly, Islam and Sikhism face the highest hurdles when it comes to persuading many Canadians they are not inherently violent faiths. The problem varies across regions. By far the highest percentage who viewed Islam as encouraging violence was found in Quebec, 57 per cent. Sikh doctrine is mostly likely to be viewed as violent in the province where about half of Canadian Sikhs live: 30 per cent of British Columbians said they think Sikhism encourages violence.
Palbinder Shergill, a Vancouver lawyer who has long represented the World Sikh Organization of Canada on legal matters, said she might have expected such negative opinions about Sikhism in the 1990s. Back then, the 1985 Air India bombing, the work of Sikh separatist terrorists, was still a fresh memory. “Air India has had a very lasting negative legacy for the Sikh community,” Shergill said. “The majority of imagery of Sikhs in the media typically associates the community with that sort of violence.”
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Dissapointed with the beleif that Sikhism is violent. Being a Full practising Sikh myself it's clear to me that Sikhism preaches that the sword should only be drawn when the innocent are at risk. I understand that the Canadian community is bitter about the Air India bombings but please understand that it was a extremist Sikh movement that was formed to overthrow Indian control over Punjab and make a Khalistan state/country. The majority of Sikhs totally disaprove of the movement
The Judeo Christian and even Hindu/Buddah religions are real religions. People don't need an Imam to decode what they mean. Islam, accodring to Mr Geert Wilders of Holland's freedom Party is "a totalitarian ideology which is incompatible with western democracies". A Pakistani male on the street in downtown told me "it's a political system, a way of life and a religion". I debated with him about the other 1.4 million total Hindus and Chinese that practice their religions. They would object to having a 7th century ideology that has never seen enlightenment(EX:the bible's new testament) forced onto them politically. So would I. Want to know what Sharia law is? Indonesia just legislated stoning as a punishment and there is a man in the Sudan on youtube that got caught stealing a cattle.
On Youtuve please type ===> Sharia Law and Thieves ===> after that; a hungry boy gets his just dues for stealing bread
Then copy+paste===>Eight-Year-Old Thief and Sharia…Yeah we can't wait for Sharia to come to secular countries. It's going to be grand!!!
"The cause of backwardness and misery in the Muslim world is not Western oppression but Islam itself; a faith that promulgates contempt for Enlightenment and secular values. It teaches hatred to children, promises a grotesque version of the afterlife, elevates the cult of “martyrdom”, flirts with the mad idea of forced conversion of the non-Islamic world, and deprives societies of the talents and energies of 50 percent of their members: the female half.
Xvi – Forward/Infidel/Ayaan Hirshi Ali/Chapter's Bookstores.
"Infidel" By: Ayaan Hirshi Ali
It should be read by every single Canadian, born here or born overseas. It's a great read and she's been nominated as one of the 100 most influential people of the 21st century.
I feel the good/peaceful muslims should be more vocal to stop backward stuff like Sharia law, covering faces with burka and communicating the negative influence of Muslim preists to their kids etc. especially if they can have plenty of violent rallies at moments notice all over the world for every little thing. Why not for something positive.
What would happen to a country that was say; 7 years ago; according to The Guardian Newspaper was "one of the most successful countries the world has ever knows". Sometimes things change.
The Terrible 12 videos(I actually added 2 more; and most were made by concerned citizens that feel a sense of powerlessness and despair over the future health and well being of their tiny country.) into youtube.com as are.
Sweden industrialized nation to bananarepublic in 20 years
The swedish social welfare system under collapse. Ödeshög, Sweden.
Sweden, a nation in decline. The social welfare system has collapsed.
Daily news report from Sweden. Significant violent crime every day in the "paradise".
Muslim Immigrant Rape in Sweden (HD)
Immigrant Riot Wave in Sweden
Sweden under massive crimewaves, 900 % more violent crime
Islam in Sweden
Open Your Eyes, SWEDEN
Sweden is being destroyed. A low intensity civil war has already started.
Islam, changing my Sweden?!
Islamic Invaders Riot in Sweden Following Mosque Closure
Welcome to Sweden of Today
Crossroads Europe – Sweden -11 Jun 07 – Part 1
Unlike theI UK where the moslems are already operatin sharia courts, I hope that Canadian politicians think like John Howard a long serving Australian prime minister ,when he said in 2007 that multiculturalism will divide, whereas integration will unite his country, as it does in the USA where it is “a melting pot”. Howard made it very clear to Muslims that if they want to live in Australia they must abide by Australia laws and that sharia law has no place in Australia.
An extract of what he said is below. More information is available via a search with Google
'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture.
'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'
'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society: Learn the language!'
extract continued
'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because
Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented.
It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'
'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'
'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this.
But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'
'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country that accepted YOU'
Islam is only growing aming black prison inmates. Hinduism esp in the form of Hare Krishna is growing along with Buddhism among educated whites.
In any case this Maclean's survey proves mos whites dislike Sikhism and Islam much more so than Hinduism.. so u may harp and complain all u like, good news is that no one is listeing to u.
Thanks to the CBC for years of coverage over Air India affair that cannot be proven.