1945 TO PRESENT - Religion Expression

Question 1

What denominations of Christianity have the highest proportion of Christians in their church from 1851 to 2016?

Answer 1

1. Anglicanism

2. Catholicism

Question 2

What Christian denominations are grouped as traditional?

Answer 2

1. Presbyterian
2. Congregational
3. Methodist

Question 3

What year was the uniting church formed?

Answer 3

1977

Question 4

What churches joined together to form the uniting church?

Answer 4

1. Presbyterian
2. Congregational
3. Methodist

Question 5

What are the top three most followed religions in Australia (2019)?

Answer 5

1. Catholic
2. Islam
3. Buddhism

Question 6

Between 1996 and 2001 by what percentage did traditional Aboriginal religion decrease?

Answer 6

30%

Question 7

When was no religion first acknowledged?

Answer 7

1971

Question 8

In 1971 what was the percentage increase in no religion?

Answer 8

7.5%

Question 9

What year did ‘no religion’ overtake Catholicism?

Answer 9

2016

Question 10

Why has ‘no religion’ increased in popularity?

Answer 10

1. The decline of traditional religions

2. The growth of more non-religious schools of thought.

Question 11

What is the main religion in Australia?

Answer 11

Christianity

Question 12

Why is Christianity still the main religion in Australia?

Answer 12

Historical factors:

1. First Fleet = Anglican, Presbyterians, Methodists and Catholic settlers
2. Immigration Restriction Act (1901)
   = European immigrants only
3. Institutionalisation of Christianity

Question 13

How has immigration affected the present religious landscape?

Answer 13

1. Immigration policies to increase nation’s security, labour force and economic growth were introduced after WW2 = divided up Christianity (Denominational switching)
2. Immigration boom of the Jewish migrants in the 50’s and 60s from = multiculturalism
3. Official abolishment of the white Australian Policy and the Vietnam War (1955 - 1975) = Increased migration with Asian religions (increase in Buddhism and Hinduism)

Question 14

What is denominational switching?

Answer 14

The transfer of followers from one Christian denomination to another

Question 15

What are the causes for denominational switching?

Answer 15

1. People are looking for religious practices that are more relevant to them
2. People are looking for religious communities that cater for their specific needs
3. People are looking for a religious group that is community oriented, rather than hierarchical.
4. Lifetime loyalty is no longer as prevalent

Question 16

List 2 trends of denominational switching.

Answer 16

1. Denomination switching predominantly occurs within the Protestant churches with many switches between young churchgoers in the Pentecostal churches
2. Typically, Catholics and Orthodox Christians don’t switch denominations

Question 17

What are new age religions?

Answer 17

Focus on fostering individual fulfilment regarding happiness, health and meaning in life.

Question 18

Why have new age religions grown?

Answer 18

1. Disillusionment with traditional religions
2. Frustration with slowness of change in Traditional religion
3. Desire to seek personal fulfilment rather than identification within a group
4. Find new ways of seeking inner peace and health

Question 19

What is secularism?

Answer 19

The belief that religion should not interfere with or be integrated into the public affairs of society

Question 20

What is secularisation?

Answer 20

Refers to society becoming less religious, people separating themselves from religious influences

Question 21

What are the signs of secularisation?

Answer 21

1. Declines in religious affiliation (church attendance, prayer, number of clergy)
2. Increasing number of people stating ‘no religion’

Question 22

What are reasons for secularisation?

Answer 22

1. Diversity of religions and cultures
2. Disillusionment with religion because of advancement of society
   - -> Religion has lost their moral respect and authority due to hypocrisy, abuse of power and irrelevance
3. Development and improvement to technology shows religion is inconsistent with society

Question 23

What is ecumenism?

Answer 23

The movement among Christian Churches to promote the restoration of unity among all Christians

Question 24

What are the impacts of Christian Ecumenism?

Answer 24

• Seeks unity and addresses the cause of division
within the church

• Promotes dialogue and discussions between various
churches in an effort to establish closer connections

• Churches work together to fund chaplains, run
schools, combined services

Question 25

What is interfaith dialogue?

Answer 25

The move to greater cooperation and harmony between different religious traditions

Question 26

What does interfaith dialogue do?

Answer 26

• Helps to avoid the misunderstandings and clashes in
belief throughout religious faiths

• Establishes broader forums in which to address the
issue of increasing religious diversity while promoting
peace and harmony

• Provides an opportunity for people of different faiths
to understand each other’s beliefs and cooperate in
areas of common ground

• Enables religions to work together in times of
hardships or crisis and bid to increase harmony

Question 27

What does the reconciliation between Aboriginal Spiritualties and Religious Traditions do?

Answer 27

Acknowledges the dispossession and injustices faced by Indigenous Australians and aims to create strong relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous people.