Noted Sociologist Speaks for Community Worship

Dr. Reginald Bibby, author of 12 books and one of Canada's best-known social scientists shared his findings on the role of religion in Canada at Community Worship, Tuesday, April 10.  In his presentation titled, "Beyond the Gods and Back," Dr. Bibby said, "Predictions of the secularization of Canada have been grossly exaggerated.  The stats show that the future of religion isn’t in question, but the place of Canadian churches is anything but guaranteed."

Dr. Reginald Bibby holds the Board of Governors Research Chair
in the Department of Sociology at the University of Lethbridge.

Canadians are polarized when it comes to religion, explained Bibby.  There is a significant group for whom religion is very important, a similar group for whom religion is not important, and a large population in the middle open to having religion play an important role in their life.  Bibby, who has been studying social trends in Canada for more than 40 years, stated that for this middle group what is most important is not a congregation's denomination but whether or not that particular church congregation ministers to their needs.

In Alberta, 31 percent of people report they attend religious services monthly.  That number has held steady between 1990 and 2010.  Dr. Bibby also cited a 2010 Statistics Canada survey in which 41 percent of Albertans claimed spirituality and religion played a very important role in their lives, with only 17 percent saying it was not at all important.

Following his presentation at Community Worship, Dr. Bibby took part in a round table discussion in the Sunrise Room that was moderated by Dr. Bruce Boyd, chair of CUC's Department of Religious Studies.  "I especially appreciated the questions and comments from members of the community who joined us and the responses they sparked from Dr. Bibby," said Dr. Boyd.  

CUC Chaplain Paul Antunes presents Dr. Bibby with a gift following his presentation at Community Worship.