From religious citizen to multicultural citizen: Changing conceptualizations of citizenship and belonging in Canada

Abstract

The religious landscape in Canada has shifted dramatically during the past 50 years, from a country whose population and social institutions were inextricably entangled with Christianity to one which has an increasing number of people who do not identify with a religion at all. Citizenship in this context has shifted from a nation whose imaginary was predominantly Christian, with diversity conceptualized in rather limited ways to one characterized by (non)religious diversity and a multicultural reality. Yet, there are growing pains as majoritarian religion confronts a changing power dynamic and the new diversity. These growing pains have potentially negative implications for education. This article considers the new diversity, the articulation of religious symbols and practices as culture, and the implications of these for citizenship and living well together.