1945 TO PRESENT - Religion Expression Flashcards
What denominations of Christianity have the highest proportion of Christians in their church from 1851 to 2016?
- Anglicanism
2. Catholicism
What Christian denominations are grouped as traditional?
- Presbyterian
- Congregational
- Methodist
What year was the uniting church formed?
1977
What churches joined together to form the uniting church?
- Presbyterian
- Congregational
- Methodist
What are the top three most followed religions in Australia (2019)?
- Catholic
- Islam
- Buddhism
Between 1996 and 2001 by what percentage did traditional Aboriginal religion decrease?
30%
When was no religion first acknowledged?
1971
In 1971 what was the percentage increase in no religion?
7.5%
What year did ‘no religion’ overtake Catholicism?
2016
Why has ‘no religion’ increased in popularity?
- The decline of traditional religions
2. The growth of more non-religious schools of thought.
What is the main religion in Australia?
Christianity
Why is Christianity still the main religion in Australia?
Historical factors:
- First Fleet = Anglican, Presbyterians, Methodists and Catholic settlers
- Immigration Restriction Act (1901)
= European immigrants only - Institutionalisation of Christianity
How has immigration affected the present religious landscape?
- Immigration policies to increase nation’s security, labour force and economic growth were introduced after WW2 = divided up Christianity (Denominational switching)
- Immigration boom of the Jewish migrants in the 50’s and 60s from = multiculturalism
- Official abolishment of the white Australian Policy and the Vietnam War (1955 - 1975) = Increased migration with Asian religions (increase in Buddhism and Hinduism)
What is denominational switching?
The transfer of followers from one Christian denomination to another
What are the causes for denominational switching?
- People are looking for religious practices that are more relevant to them
- People are looking for religious communities that cater for their specific needs
- People are looking for a religious group that is community oriented, rather than hierarchical.
- Lifetime loyalty is no longer as prevalent
List 2 trends of denominational switching.
- Denomination switching predominantly occurs within the Protestant churches with many switches between young churchgoers in the Pentecostal churches
- Typically, Catholics and Orthodox Christians don’t switch denominations
What are new age religions?
Focus on fostering individual fulfilment regarding happiness, health and meaning in life.
Why have new age religions grown?
- Disillusionment with traditional religions
- Frustration with slowness of change in Traditional religion
- Desire to seek personal fulfilment rather than identification within a group
- Find new ways of seeking inner peace and health
What is secularism?
The belief that religion should not interfere with or be integrated into the public affairs of society
What is secularisation?
Refers to society becoming less religious, people separating themselves from religious influences
What are the signs of secularisation?
- Declines in religious affiliation (church attendance, prayer, number of clergy)
- Increasing number of people stating ‘no religion’
What are reasons for secularisation?
- Diversity of religions and cultures
- Disillusionment with religion because of advancement of society
- -> Religion has lost their moral respect and authority due to hypocrisy, abuse of power and irrelevance - Development and improvement to technology shows religion is inconsistent with society
What is ecumenism?
The movement among Christian Churches to promote the restoration of unity among all Christians
What are the impacts of Christian Ecumenism?
• 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
What is interfaith dialogue?
The move to greater cooperation and harmony between different religious traditions
What does interfaith dialogue do?
• 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
What does the reconciliation between Aboriginal Spiritualties and Religious Traditions do?
Acknowledges the dispossession and injustices faced by Indigenous Australians and aims to create strong relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous people.
