Changing Patterns of Religious Adherence Flashcards

Outline changing patterns of religious adherence from 1945 to the present using census data Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to: – Christianity as the major religious tradition – immigration – denominational switching – rise of New Age religions – secularism

1
Q

Christian affiliation over time - 1996, 1991, 2016

A

1996 - 88.2%
1991 - 74%
2016 - 52.1%

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2
Q

‘Other’ religious affiliation over time - 1996, 1991, 2016

A

1996 - 0.7%
1991 - 2.6%
2016 - 8.2%

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3
Q

‘No religion’ affiliation over time - 1996, 1991, 2016

A

1996 - 0.8%
1991 - 12.9%
2016 - 30.1%

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4
Q

Religious affiliation in 1966

A

Christian - 88.2%
Other - 0.7%
No religion - 0.8%

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5
Q

Religious affiliation in 1991

A

Christian - 74%
Other - 2.6%
No religion - 12.9%

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6
Q

Religious affiliation in 2016

A

Christian - 52.1%
Other - 8.2%
No religion - 30.1%

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7
Q

Religious affiliation in 2021

A

Christianity - 43.9%
No religion - 38.9%
Islam - 3.2%
Hinduism - 2.7%
Buddhism - 2.4%

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8
Q

Change in Christian affiliation 1947-2021

A

88% to 43.9%

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9
Q

Top attractors to religion and spirituality

A
  • Seeing people living out genuine faith
  • Experiencing personal trauma or event
  • Stories/testimonies from people who have changed due to faith
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10
Q

Top repellents to religion and spirituality

A
  • Philosophical discussion & debate
  • Miraculous stories
  • Hearing of public figures & celebrities who are examples of that faith
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11
Q

Reasons for decline in numbers of Christians regularly attending services

A
  • Aging population
  • Lack of Christian migrant intake
  • General dissatisfaction with organised religion
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12
Q

Why has trust in organised religion been compromised?

A
  • Exposure of past and current misconduct by church officials
  • Response of church officials to this misconduct
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13
Q

Why does Christianity remain the dominant religion?

A
  • First settlement by Christian Europeans - British and therefore Christian colony
  • Missionaries contributed to services & infrastructure
  • White Australia Policy - less non-European migrants
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14
Q

What factors contribute to the decline of Christianity?

A
  • Relevance of church services
  • Onset of rationalism, postmodernism and individualism
  • Declining support for monarchy
  • Religious school system
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15
Q

Religious

A

Adhering to a religion, including its practices, beliefs, and communities of expression.

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16
Q

Spiritual

A

Appreciation of the sacred as well as personalised beliefs and practices.

17
Q

Positive contributions of Christianity

A
  • Growth of church-based schools expanded education landscape
  • Desirable features in religious schools (ethics, morals, values)
  • Social welfare outreach & charity
  • Lobbying government on issues
  • Contributes to robust ethical dialogue
18
Q

Australians are losing their sense of religious .., but not losing … about ….

A

Identity
Curiosity
Faith

19
Q

Quote: decline in religious affiliation has gone … overall - that’s been a … over the last ….
Who said this?

A

Down
Trend
Decade
Dr Ruth Powell, NCLS (National Church Life Survey) Research Director.

20
Q

Quote: When Australians choose … … it tells us about a … for whom it is not an … part of their …, … or … identity.
Who said this?

A

‘No Religion’
Group
Important
Personal
Social
Cultural
Dr Ruth Powell, NCLS (National Church Life Survey) Research Director.

21
Q

How many Australians said religion, faith or spirituality is important in shaping life’s decisions?

A

More than 4 in 10, according to the 2018 NCLS

22
Q

How many Australians said they believe in God or a higher power?

A

Nearly 6 in 10, according to the 2018 NCLS

23
Q

How many Australians said they pray or meditate at least once a week?

A

3 in 10, according to the 2018 NCLS

24
Q

How many Australians said they attend religious services as least once a month?

A

2 in 10, according to the 2018 NCLS

25
Post-WWII migration
- Europeans = Roman Catholic & Eastern Orthodox - Jews
26
Post-Vietnam War migration
- Approx. 120,000 Indochinese - Buddhists
27
Muslim immigration from...
- Turkey - Lebanon - Afghanistan - Sudan - Iraq - Middle East etc.
28
The last few decades have shown a consistent move away from ... churches (E.g...) and towards ... or ... churches (E.g...)
Conservative E.g. Catholic/Anglican Progressive or liberal E.g. Pentecostal
29
Individualistic lifestyle
- Focus on personal needs rather than traditional communities - No longer remain in denominations/religions due to pressure from family/ethnic ties
30
Denominational switching
A trend emerging under the umbrella of Christianity, where adherents switch from one denominate of a particular church to another to suit lifestyle, feel more comfortable or well cared for.
31
What caused a diminish in lifetime loyalty to one church?
Growing contemporary ethos of individualism.
32
When and why did New Age Religions become popular?
1960s-1970s Reaction to failure of Christianity and Secular Humanism (secularism/liberalism)
33
Decline of Christianity 2016-2021
2016 - 52.1% 2021 - 43.9%