The Strange Thing That Happened When Religion Declined

Here’s an interesting fact. The most secular generation may not be as secular as it looks. For decades, we have been told religion is declining. In 1991, 12.5% of Canadians said they had no religious affiliation. In 2001 it was 16.5%; 2011, 24%; and in 2021, 34.6% Church attendance as a result plummeted. A growing number of people have renounced their traditional denominational faith. Yet, something unexpected happened. While the data showed a decline among the younger secular generation, something deep within their nature remained unsatisfied. In fact, that unsatisfied longing became stronger. They may not be sitting in pews anymore, but they are still searching and yearning for meaning, purpose, identity—something more than themselves, which raises the uncomfortable question: If religion is dead, why do we keep acting as if we need it?