Many feel Christmas is under seige

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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.