Religion and Ethnicity in Canada

Paul Bramadat, David Seljak

University of Toronto Press, 2009 - Social Science - 252 pages

As the leading book in its field, Religion and Ethnicity in Canada has been embraced by scholars, teachers, students, and policy makers as a breakthrough study of Canadian religio-ethnic diversity and its impact on multiculturalism. A team of established scholars looks at the relationships between religious and ethnic identity in Canada's six largest minority religious communities: Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Jews, Muslims and practitioners of Chinese religion. The chapters also highlight the ethnic diversity extant within these traditions in order to offer a more nuanced appreciation of the variety of lived experiences of members of these communities.

Together, the contributors develop consistent themes throughout the volume, among them the changing nature of religious practice and ideas, current demographics, racism, and the role of women. Chapters related to the public policy issues of healthcare, education and multiculturalism show how new ethnic and religious diversity are challenging and changing Canadian institutions and society. Comprehensive and insightful, Religion and Ethnicity in Canada makes a unique contribution to the study of world religions in Canada.

Contents

• Hindus in Canada Negotiating Identity in a Different: 30
• Sikhs in Canada Identity and Commitment: 52
• Buddhists in Canada Impermanence in a Land: 69
• The Chinese in Canada Their Unrecognized Religion: 89
• Jews in Canada A Travelling Cantor on the Prairie: 111
• Muslims in Canada From Ethnic Groups to Religious: 133
• IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC POLICY: 154
• Education Multiculturalism and Religion: 178
• Health Care Religion and Ethnic Diversity: 201
• Toward a New Story about Religion and Ethnicity: 222
• Demographics of Religious Identification: 235

About the author

Paul Bramadat is a professor and director of the Centre for Studies in Religion and Society at the University of Victoria. His previous works include Religious Radicalization in Canada and Beyond and Christianity and Ethnicity in Canada both published by University of Toronto Press.

David Seljak is an associate professor at St. Jerome's University and Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Waterloo.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Religion and Ethnicity in Canada
• Editors: Paul Bramadat, David Seljak
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: University of Toronto Press, 2009
• ISBN: 1442610182, 9781442610187
• Length: 252 pages
• Subjects: Social Science / Anthropology / General; Social Science / Sociology of Religion