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Paperback: 256 pages; $24.95
Publisher: Project Canada Books
ISBN-13: 978-0-98-106142-9
Product Dimensions: 5 Ό x 8 ½

 This is the fourth in Reginald Bibby’s classic examinations of religion in Canada, following the best-selling and influential Fragmented Gods (1987), Unknown Gods (1993), and Restless Gods (2002).
 In this important update, Bibby pulls together his extensive trend data in describing the major religious shifts that have been taking place in Canada. He also draws heavily on newly available international survey data to look at Canada in global perspective.
 Bibby takes readers back to a time when religion was dominant, and shows how major cultural and demographic changes combined to bring about the participation crash of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. He maintains that the current religious situation is neither characterized by secularization nor revitalization but by polarization. A sizable and durable core of people continue to value religion while, simultaneously, a growing number are abandoning it.
 Polarization, he says, raises the important question of the extent to which the two extremes can co-exist. It also raises some critically important, “so what?” questions concerning the impact on life and death. Specifically, to the extent that Canadians reject religion versus embrace it, what are the implications for personal well-being, spirituality, social well-being, and how they respond to death?  
 Bibby says the data point to two areas that may not be negatively affected – but maintains that there are two areas where Canadian life is going to take a serious hit. The global data point to similar findings worldwide.
 Drawing on key thinkers and the extensive data at hand, Bibby maintains that for most people, the abandonment of religion will be short-lived. “Some people will choose to go it alone,” he acknowledges. And without question, large numbers will say goodbye to any number of forms of organized religion. But, he says, the future looks bright in Canada for Roman Catholics, Conservative Protestants, and Muslims. What’s more, some new, important entries can be expected to appear. Conversely, the United and Anglican churches may soon be on life support.
 

Still, in the midst of such shuffling, he concludes, “Few of us will say goodbye to the gods.”


Contents

             Preface
        Introduction                                                                                1

1      The Days of God’s Dominion                                                       5
            • The Way We Were • Participation • Influence

2      The Boomer Bust                                                                        15
            • The Boomers and Religious Involvement 
            • Four Critical Shifts • The Aftermath • The Legacy                          
                           

3      The New Polarization                                                                  34
            • The Secularization Argument • The Revitalization Argument
            • The Canadian Religious Reality • The Global Situation
            • Assessment

4      Polarization & Pluralism                                                              62
            • The Tension of Coexistence • A Canadian Reading
            • The Global Situation • Assessment

5      Polarization & Personal Well-Being                                              98
            • The Universal Goal • A Canadian Reading 
            • The Global Situation • Assessment


6     Polarization & Spirituality                                                                     118
           • The Autonomy of Spirituality • A Canadian Reading
           • The Global Situation • Assessment

7     Polarization &  Social Well-Being                                                          136
           • New Arguments from Science • Clarifying the Question
           • A Canadian Reading • The Global Situation • Assessment

8    Polarization & Death                                                                               164
          • The Problematic Death Question • A Canadian Reading
          • The Global Situation • Assessment

9    
The Comeback                                                                                        186
         • Why It Can Be Expected • The Old or Something Else?
         • The Canadian Situation • The Global Situation • Assessment

     
Conclusion                                                                                             207

           
     
Appendix                                                                                                                                            217
                 Endnotes                                                                                                                                           219
                 References                                                                                                                                      230
                 Index                                                                                                    246
 
 
Maclean's Cover Story April 13, 2009

 

 Contents


                  Introduction
          
            1  Everything's Relative   –   So what do teens value?
            2  Friendship is Everything   –   So how is it being experienced?
            3  Sexuality is a Personal Matter   –   So what are teens thinking and doing?
            4  Life is Sometimes Difficult   –   So what troubles teens most? 
            5  There's Never Been So Much Information   –  So what are they doing with it?
            6  We All Want to Live in a Good Country  –   
So what do teens think of Canada?
            7  The Globe Has Been Shrinking   –   So what has it meant for teenagers?
            8  We Have All Kinds of Families   –   
So what kinds of families do teens want?
            9  The Gods and the Groups Are Optional   –  
So who is opting for what?
           10  The Sky is the Limit   –   
So what do teens want out of life?

                 Conclusion

                                                            ISBN-13: 978-0-98-106140-5


 
 
The Project Teen Canada Findings, Plus
 



The Booklet
Highlighting the
Key Findings & Implications
of

The Emerging Millennials
is
Available!

  • 64-pages in colour
  • 4 page sections on each of The 10 Key Findings of the latest survey
  • photo and graphic lead-ins and illustrative data
  • summary observations and reflections
The all-in-one resource that focuses on ideas in providing
thought-provoking theme photos,
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and point-form reflections on
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$16.95 softcover, 2010
64 pp colour - 7 x10
ISBN 2-800981-061414
Project Canada Books
Lethbridge, AB
 


 
 
 
Two Additional Project Teen Canada Reports
 
 
Canada's Emerging Aboriginal Millennials
A National Survey Reading of
Aboriginal Teens & Other Teens
ISBN 978-0-98106 14-4-3

        • 62-page colour booklet combining summary tables and interpretive text
        • unprecedented survey findings for Aboriginal teens
        • includes comparisons for students both on and off reserves
        • comparisons of Aboriginal teens and other Canadian teens
        • section by section summaries and reflections on responses
        • a concluding assessment of Aboriginal & non-Aboriginal similarities and differences
        • closing reflections on possible next steps - for pretty much everyone 
An unprecedented, unmatched comparative body of information
on Canada's emerging Aboriginal youth


Terri-Lynn Fox
 
Contents    
               
  Preface
        Introduction
............................................................................     1
            Background
            The Latest National Youth Survey
 1    Demographic Characteristics................................................     3
            Self-Identification, Birthplace, and Residence
            Languages and Traditional Names
            Parentage and Home Environments
            Socio-economic Status
            Religious Identification
            Summary Note            
            Reflections and Responses
 
 
2    Things Valued and Enjoyed.................................................     8
            What’s Important
            Sources of Enjoyment 
            Friends                                                               
            Groups
            Perceived Sources of Influence
            Summary Note
            Reflections and Responses
 
3    Canada and the World............................................................   16
            Social Concerns
            Confidence in Leadership
            Views of People
            Awareness and Concern Regarding Global Issues
            The Value Placed on Canada
            Summary Note
            Reflections and Responses
 4    Morality, Sex, and Family Attitudes......................................   23
            Sources of Moral Decisions
            Interpersonal Values and Behaviour
            Sexual Attitudes and Behaviour
            Contraceptives
            Cohabitation and Parenting
            Summary Note
            Reflections and Responses

           

 

  5   Personal Concerns
....................................................................   29
           
Primary Concerns
            Teens at Risk
            Views and Use of Drugs
            Trouble and Encounters with the Police
            Overall Self-Image
            Summary Note
            Reflections and Responses
  6   Aspirations.................................................................................   36
            General
            Education
            Careers
            Family life 
            Involvement in Their Communities
            Summary Note
            Reflections and Responses
  7   Religion and Spirituality..........................................................   41
            Beliefs
            Practices
            Values and Other Correlates
            Personal and Social Well-Being
            Receptivity
            Summary Note
            Reflections and Responses
  Conclusion.....................................................................................   50
            The Overall Picture in National Context
            The Immediate Future
            Final Thoughts: Terri-Lynn Fox & James Penner
            The Last Word: Terri-Lynn Fox       
  References

 
 
Alberta's Emerging Millennials
A National Survey Reading of
Alberta Teens & Other Teens
ISBN 978-0-98106 14-3-6
  • 62-page colour booklet featuring summary tables and running text
  • a comparison of Alberta teens with other teens across Canada
  • features a special oversample of Alberta youth attending Aboriginal schools
  • unique national, provincial, and Alberta Aboriginal comparisons
  • differences between Edmonton, Calgary, medium-size cities, and smaller communities are highlighted

     An unparallelled portrait of Alberta's emerging generation, 
                     including Aboriginal young people, 
                     put in unique national perspective