Canadians Admire Jesus but Are Wary of Christianity, Major Survey Finds
76% of Canadians see Jesus as loving. 64% call Christianity judgmental. An Angus Reid study for Alpha Canada and The Message Canada finds a nation hungry for meaning — and Christians who lack confidence to talk about their faith
The short answer
The "Seeds of Openness" study by Angus Reid Group for Alpha Canada and The Message Canada, released on 15 October 2026, surveyed 3,000 Canadian adults in February 2026. It found 76% of Canadians regard Jesus as loving and 73% as selfless, but 64% describe Christianity as judgmental, 62% say it causes arguments and 57% call it controlling. 64% consider themselves spiritual in their own way, about 70% seek or discuss meaning and purpose, and 81% of non-Christians know at least one practising Christian — yet only 31% of practising Christians feel at ease talking about their faith.
Canadians like Jesus. Many of them aren't so sure about His followers. That's the headline of one of the most detailed studies of Canadian faith in years — and it may be the most hopeful bad news the Canadian church has heard.
The Study
"Seeds of Openness: How Canadians View Faith Conversations, the Church and Jesus" was conducted by the Angus Reid Group with Alpha Canada and The Message Canada. It surveyed 3,000 Canadian adults online in February 2026, and was released on 15 October.
"An Angus Reid study for Alpha Canada and The Message Canada found 76% of Canadians see Jesus as loving while 64% see Christianity as judgmental. Canadians are asking deep questions and most know a Christian — but few Christians feel confident sharing their faith."
Click to copy and shareJesus vs. Christianity
- 76% of Canadians regard Jesus as loving; 73% as selfless.
- 64% describe Christianity as judgmental, 62% say it causes arguments, and 57% call it controlling.
A Nation Asking Big Questions
- 64% consider themselves spiritual, but in their own way; 56% are open to spiritual or transcendent experiences.
- About 70% actively seek or often talk about meaning, purpose and belief.
- The questions weighing most: Will everything turn out all right? (52%), What would bring me genuine happiness? (51%) and What happens after death? (43%).
- Over two-thirds believe Canadian society lacks a shared sense of meaning and purpose.
There is resistance too. Around three-quarters of non-Christians said they have no interest in exploring Christianity in any form, and about half feel uneasy when people talk openly about their faith.
Friendship Is the Bridge
- 81% of non-Christians have at least one practising Christian in their social circle — often a close friend or family member.
- 67% have discussed faith with a churchgoing Christian, and nearly half described their latest conversation as respectful.
The report's summary is memorable: "rapport is a precondition and respect is permission."
Christians Lack Confidence
Among practising Christians — defined as attending church at least monthly and praying or reading the Bible weekly — only 30% feel knowledgeable enough to talk about their beliefs and 31% feel at ease doing so. Most talk about faith more with other Christians than with anyone else.
Start With Jesus
Dr Bill Hogg, president of The Message Canada, wrote the accompanying report, Sharing Jesus. His advice:
"Orbiting around the Person of Jesus — His character, His stories, His cross and resurrection — can open doors that might remain closed if we begin by defending the institutions of 'religion', 'Christianity' or 'the Church'."
"The Church has an opportunity to show that Jesus and the King Jesus story offer a credible and life-giving answer to the meaning Canadians already know they need," he wrote. And 42% of non-Christians — 53% of non-practising Christians — said a dedicated space to talk about faith appealed to them.
Why It Matters
This is a Great Commission map of Canada. People respect Jesus, they're asking about meaning and death, and most of them already know a Christian. What's missing is confidence. If that's you, our guides on how to share your faith and what the gospel is are a good place to start — and one honest, respectful conversation with a friend this week is a better one.
An Angus Reid study for Alpha Canada and The Message Canada found 76% of Canadians see Jesus as loving while 64% see Christianity as judgmental. Canadians are asking deep questions and most know a Christian — but few Christians feel confident sharing their faith.
Biblical Perspective
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15). Jesus said, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (John 12:32).
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
— 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Pray With Us
Lord Jesus, thank You that so many Canadians already see Your love. Give Your people courage, gentleness and respect, and open doors for honest conversations with friends and family. Let Canadians who are asking about meaning, happiness and death find their answer in You. Amen.
Declarations to Speak
- ›Jesus will draw all people to Himself!
- ›Canada is asking — and Jesus is the answer!
- ›We will share our hope with gentleness and respect!
Take Action
- 1Pray for one friend or family member by name who doesn't yet follow Jesus.
- 2Read one of the Gospels this week and notice how Jesus talks with people.
- 3Ask your church about Alpha or another space for honest faith conversations.
"76% of Canadians see Jesus as loving. 64% call Christianity judgmental. And only 31% of Christians feel at ease sharing their faith. What a new Angus Reid study found."
Pray & Speak Life Over This Story
Don't just read — respond in faith. Click below to declare that you have prayed over this story and spoken life into it. Our prayers and words have power to change the world.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue." — Proverbs 18:21
Your Prayers & Words Have Power
Every time you pray over a story and speak life, you are partnering with Heaven to see God's Kingdom come on earth. When believers around the world agree in prayer, mountains move. Keep praying over these matters — your consistency in intercession is changing the world.
"The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." — James 5:16
Prayer Is Powerful — So Is Action.
You've prayed. Now take it further. Join or start an outreach group in your area and take the love of Jesus to the streets. Every act of love, every meal shared, every prayer prayed in person is the Kingdom advancing in your community.
"Faith without works is dead." — James 2:26
Questions people are asking
What do Canadians think of Jesus?
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According to the 2026 "Seeds of Openness" study by Angus Reid for Alpha Canada and The Message Canada, 76% of Canadians regard Jesus as loving and 73% as selfless.
What do Canadians think of Christianity?
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The same study found 64% of Canadians describe Christianity as judgmental, 62% say it causes arguments and 57% consider it controlling.
How many Canadians are spiritual?
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64% of Canadians consider themselves spiritual in their own way, 56% are receptive to spiritual or transcendent experiences, and around 70% actively seek or discuss questions of meaning, purpose and belief, according to the Angus Reid study.
Sources & further reading
About the Author
Daniel Ziedins
Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Daniel Ziedins is the founder and editor-in-chief of Thy Kingdom News. A passionate believer with a heart for revival, missions, and seeing God's Kingdom advance across the earth, Daniel created this platform to report on what God is doing in the nations — the stories the mainstream media won't tell. He is also the creator of LoveOnTheWorldMap.com, a global initiative to map acts of God's love worldwide. Daniel believes that every testimony, every revival report, and every prayer answered is evidence that the Kingdom of God is here and advancing.
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
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