How religion split the federal vote [in Canada]

The Vancouver Sun ^ | May 9, 2011 | Douglas Todd

[Alex Murphy]

The Conservatives topped the polls in the May 2 election in part by winning over religious voters, particularly Protestants, but also Jews and longtime immigrants. The New Democratic Party came in second in part by appealing to those who have no religion, as well as by holding their own among Catholics and recent immigrants. The Liberals came in third by maintaining support among visible minorities and the moderately religious, especially Muslims but also Jews.

Remember, we're talking Canadian voters. Here are the percentages won by party, per the article.

NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY
42% of non-religious
41% of recent immigrants, "less than a decade"
40% of Catholics
30.6% of overall voters
28% of Muslims
37% of those who attend church or temple "once a month or less"
25% of those "most religiously devout"
16% of Jews

CONSERVATIVES
55% of Protestants
52% of Jews
50% of those who attend church or temple "frequently"
43% of Canadan citizens "more than a decade"
39.6% of overall voters
30% of Catholic
27% of non-religious
12% of Muslims

LIBERALS
46% of Muslims
24% of Jews
18% of those "most religiously devout"
17% of non-religious
16% of Catholic

[Vigilanteman]

Why is it that 52% of Canadian Jews have the sense to vote against the state fascism party most favored by Muslims whereas only 30% of American Jews do?

[RockinRight]

That was the first thing I noticed.

[littleharbour]

Wow, is this ever misleading. Unless you break this down into “practising Catholics” and “Evangelical Christians”, the numbers are meaningless. The vast majority of those supposedly Catholic voters gained by the NDP are in Quebec, which is now a largely secular province. Most are nominally Catholic, but very few practice the faith. Same as “Protestant”, which includes such pro-homosexual, pro-abortion congregations such as the United Church of Canada, Anglican/Episcopalian and Prysbyterian (the latter two of which still have some traditional adherents).

[Minus_The_Bear]

Separating the vote based on religion is a false picture.

There weren't very many cultural issues up for debate in this election.

[freedumb2003]

>>Why is it that 52% of Canadian Jews have the sense to vote against the state fascism party most favored by Muslims whereas only 30% of American Jews do?<<

I am not joking here — MUI it has to do with the culturally-inculcated concept of a “mitzvah.”

It is complicated, but (again MUI) the worse off you are and the more you do for those who cannot (will not but that is a separate discussion) do makes you a better person.

Working against your interests politically washes away what you do for yourself personally.

More or less — if I understood wrong, I humbly apologize to our Jewish FReepers and look forward to a more accurate answer (which I can learn from).

[buccaneer81]

Nice try Alex, but the NDP gains were largely in Quebec, and Quebcec's "Catholics" are less religious than those in France.

To a Quebecois, Catholicism is a heritage, not a faith. They cling to the identification politically because they view it as the opposite of "English."

[TheOldLady]

I May Be a Birdbrain
But Smart FReepers Donate
Monthly If Possible

Sponsoring FReepers leapfrog0202 and others will contribute $10
Each time a new monthly donor signs up!
Get more bang for your buck
Sign up today

Keep A. I. Lazamataz in Bandwidth

[Alex Murphy]

....the NDP gains were largely in Quebec, and Quebcec's "Catholics" are less religious than those in France. To a Quebecois, Catholicism is a heritage, not a faith. They cling to the identification politically because they view it as the opposite of "English."

Are they refused Communion? Do their bishops count/report their numbers as adherents? Do their dioceses receive tax revenues from the state as a result?

[Thane_Banquo]

What is MUI?

[buccaneer81]

Are they refused Communion?

No need to refuse them communion when they don't attend Mass in the first place.

Do their bishops count/report their numbers as adherents?

I can only assume those numbers, if counted, are from the parish lists; again a very small number these days.

Do their dioceses receive tax revenues from the state as a result?

Canadian churches get no tax money. What ever gave you the idea that they did? One of the Fundamental values of Quebec Society is Separation of State and Religion.

These election results are not about religion of any type.

[Gondring]

Holy Moley! (Pun intended)

Catholics went 40% for the loonie left-wing?!

Wow.

[CanaGuy]

Exit polls are pure hokum.

[fish hawk]

Catholics and immigrants together as always on the left. In America we call them liberal democrats.

[buccaneer81]

Demographics tell the story of the decline of the Quebec’s Roman Church. The province-wide rate of church attendance, which, prior to the 1960s ranged between 80 to 90 percent, has now plunged to below eight percent.

The Fall of the Catholic Church in Quebec

[buccaneer81]

Read all the posts. The NDP picked up loads of seats in Quebec. That explains the “Catholic” vote.

[ansel12]

There was an “Evangelical Christians” category? I only saw the ‘generic Protestants of all different churches and persuasions’ and ‘members of the Catholic church’ categories.

[buccaneer81]

Catholics and immigrants together as always on the left.

I'm Catholic and my Catholic mother was an immigrant.

Care to rephrase that statement?

[Alex Murphy]

Canadian churches get no tax money. What ever gave you the idea that they did?

Their schools:
Catholic board needs clean sweep [Toronto Catholic District School Board]
Catholic trustee tells court she wouldn’t have tried to influence vote [Toronto School Board]
Non-Catholics Trying to Lie Their Way into Teaching at Ontario Catholic Schools
Jobless, non-religious teachers to turn Catholicism in attempt for employment
Catholic schools want your tax dollars. Real bad.....

[Unam Sanctam]

Catholics and immigrants together as always on the left. In America we call them liberal democrats.

Great sweeping generalization there. By the way, I would bet there is a difference between Catholics that actually practice their faith and the Kennedyesque "Catholics in name only" types if the stats were so broken down.