Many
feel Christmas is under seige
Virtually all Ontarians celebrate Christmas
TORONTO December
20th, 2014 –
In a random sampling of public opinion taken by the Forum Poll™ among 1058
Ontarians 18 years of age and older, virtually every Ontarian polled celebrates
Christmas (94%), including those who are not Christian (62%) and the
non-religious (95%).
Christmas seen to be under siege
Equal
proportions, about 4-in-10, claim there IS a war on Christmas (40%) and also
that there is no war on Christmas (42%). One fifth are unsure (18%). Those who
feel there is a war on Christmas are most commonly residents of northern
Ontario (46%), PC supporters (53%), the least educated (51%), Protestant and
Catholic Christians (45% each) and especially Evangelicals (77%).
Merry Christmas most commonly used seasonal salutation
Fully
three quarters say "Merry Christmas" most often at this time of year
(76%), compared to just less than one fifth who use the most common secular
greeting, "Happy Holidays"(16%). Few say "Season's
Greetings" (2%) or any other greeting most often (4%). The youngest
(25%), the least wealthy (23%), Torontonians (29%), provincial Liberals
(25%), the most educated (post grad - 28%), non-Christians (31%) and the
non-religious (27%) are the most likely to use the most common secular
greeting.
Christmas mostly a family holiday, not religious.
Close
to 6-in-10 Ontarians say Christmas is mostly about family (59%), compared to
just one quarter say it is about religion (23%), while somewhat fewer say it is
about shopping and parties (16%). Those who say Christmas is a religious
holiday are most likely to be the oldest (28%), the less wealthy ($20K to $40K
- 31%, $40K to $60K - 27%), PC voters (29%), mothers of children under 18
(27%), protestant and Catholic Christians (26% and 27%, respectively) and
especially evangelical Christians (63%). Curiously, non-Christians are more
likely than others to say Christmas is a religious holiday (30%).
Two thirds have given or will give to charity
Two
thirds of Ontarians (63%) have either given to charity already this year (45%)
or will give this season (18%), while one third have no plans to donate (34%).
Having given already is especially characteristic of mid income groups ($40K to
$60K - 50%) and those in the suburban 905 area code around Toronto (51%).
“While
it is expected that the religious would be most likely to see Christmas as a
festival under attack, it is surprising to see those who have no religion to
speak of being so likely to both celebrate Christmas and to say it is primarily
a religious holiday," said
Forum Research President, Dr. Lorne Bozinoff.
Lorne Bozinoff,
Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416)
960-9603.
