Stay positive, whatever your faith

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/02/2018 (2871 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s not politically correct to discuss or even acknowledge religion these days… but I haven’t been shut down yet for speaking my mind, so let’s give it a shot. 

According to Statistics Canada, the population numbers relating to religious affiliation across the country are mirrored in Manitoba. Eighty-three per cent of Canadians voluntarily claim to be associated with an organized religion. The percentage in Manitoba is exactly the same. That means that only 17 per cent of our population does not connect with any of the various religious organizations.

I want to point out that I find these facts interesting, not that I think anyone is more right than anyone else. That viewpoint is the crux of most religious conflicts, and we don’t need any more of those.

Can you imagine? Claiming that other religions have got it wrong?

To quote a popular TV show, “How rude!”

Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs, which comprise a very private part of a person’s character.

Most of us simply adopted whatever religion was practised by our parents. Many people have gone in different spiritual directions. That’s the wonderful thing about the freedom we all enjoy in Canada, and we should never take that for granted. We have welcomed many new Canadians who have emigrated here for that very reason.

Religions have a tough time competing for your attention with social media, electronics, and other ‘wow’ events out there.  However, many of us have built the foundation of our lives upon the teachings we received as children. Our religions have provided us with basic understandings of right and wrong.

All that said, we can celebrate our individual identities while still managing to get along with and respect our neighbours. We need to lift each other up, not restrict and dampen one another’s spirits. As we enter into an important time of the religious year for many, please remember to stay positive and keep the faith (whatever your faith may be).

Wanda Prychitko is a community correspondent for St. James-Assiniboia. Contact wprychitko@yahoo.ca