Where the Rubber Hits the Road

Poll: Faithful Catholics are an endangered species - Salon.com

You could call it religion's hallelujah. Though certain faiths remain in dire straits, a new report finds rumours of the death of Canadian churches to be greatly exaggerated -- particularly when it comes to Catholic and evangelical denominations, which are actually flourishing in light of recent immigration patterns. "Most observers assumed that religion in Canada would follow the European pattern of secularization, where religion would be practised by fewer and fewer people over time and eventually border on being extinct," says sociologist Reginald Bibby, a leading expert on religious life in Canada. Click on the link to read the rest of the story from the Ottawa Citizen. Gotta have faith: Findings show religion still vital to Canadians

Humm... I thought that the atheists were trying to convince us that not only was the Catholic Church on an inexorable slide into oblivion, (especially in today's Britain) but that B16 was thought to be the very epitome of what the English detested: German, conservative, dogmatic, homophobic etc. Yet the evidence shows that in the wake of his visit to the British Isles, religious practice was on the rise throughout the Christian Churches. Maybe the forces of faith are more resilient that our opponents have given us credit for. I do not deny that the church stands bloodied and battered before the world this day, and that there is a great deal of work to be done to repair the Barque of Peter. This news should give hope to believers everywhere for it is evident that the boat will stay afloat despite the sinfulness of a few and the animus of its enemies. Churches halt decline, new research shows - Telegraph