Religion and Belief Systems in Australia Post-1945 Flashcards
Dreaming definition:
The dreaming underpins all beliefs and practices. It outlines all relationships and responsibilities for aboriginal peoples.
What are the three aspects that inform the dreaming?
Ceremonial life
obligations to land and people
kinship
Outline how kinship informs aboriginal spirituality:
A highly sophisticated network of relationships. Creates a connection with land, ASB and the dreaming. It outlines belonging and responsibility within the tribe and between clans. “The completeness to the oneness” - Bob Randall. e.g. Land is part of kinship group “my mother”
Outline how ceremonial life informs aboriginal spirituality:
It is the ritual and artistic expression of the dreaming. It ensures that vital components of aboriginal law and dreaming stay intact. All ceremonies acknowledge a metaphysical presence of the dreaming world in the real world.
e.g. Initiation denotes transition from childhood to adulthood
Outline how obligations to land and people inform aboriginal spirituality:
Inextricably connected to land and spirituality. Land is the physical medium in which the dreaming takes place. Land is the meeting point where tribes derive identity and relationships. Rituals are connected to sacred sites called balance rites.
e.g. Resting place for ASB
Dreaming cant be taught statement
The dreaming can’t be taught, it is something that is felt and experienced by being in one’s country and being surrounded by one’s skin. They are steadfastly connected
What was the continuing effect of dispossession on aboriginal spirituality in relation to?
separation of land, separation of kinship groups and stolen generations
Describe the continuing effects as a result of the separation from the land:
Loss of land = loss of spirituality and they are no longer able to fulfil ritual responsibilities( loss of purpose) e.g. smoking ceremony.
It is an ONGOING effect of dispossession on traditional spirituality
Complete destruction of all elements of spirituality; totemic responsibilities, relationships, connections, kinship and ceremonial life e.g. severed link of knowledge of their “country”
E.g. Elders are obliged to walk the land each year, to perform balance rites where needed and pay respect to the ASB. This cant be fulfilled if they are dispossessed from the land.
The land is the medium in which the dreaming is expressed and lived, resulted in loss od identity.
When were missions established in Australia?
1820’s-1850’s: Gov and church established missions and reserves in which they were forced to assimilate into European culture and lifestyle
When was Terra nullius declared?
In 1788 terra Nullius was declared which resulted in no recognition of Aboriginal land ownership and marked the start of the removal of tribes from dreaming stories/totems
Describe the continuing effects as a result of the separation from kinship groups:
Removal from land destroyed kinship groups alongside thousands of years of traditional custom and culture e.g. ASB
1838 policy of protection deliberately attempted to destroy spirituality, kinship, culture, language etc.
1901 policy of assimilation was detrimental to the all-encompassing nature of aboriginal spirituality
They lost their practical expression of their religion such as songs and dances
Loss of info made it difficult to participate in native title claims
They undermined parenting which contributed to a loss of connection
What was the policy of protection?
1838 policy of protection deliberately attempted to destroy spirituality, kinship, culture, language etc.
What was the policy of assimilation?
1901 policy of assimilation was detrimental to the all-encompassing nature of aboriginal spirituality
Describe the continuing effects as a result of the stolen generations:
100,000+ children were forcibly removed in a deliberate attempt to remove their aboriginal identity
The bringing home report revealed the shattering loss of:
Heritage, Culture, Language, Land and community
It made recommendations such as a national sorry day should be held but this did not occur till 2008
Aboriginal people make up 2.7% of the Australia population according to the 2016 census. This census revealed the ongoing devastating effects of dispossession such as:
Life expectancy= 20 years lower
Make up 20% of those unemployed
9% of homeless
Higher mental health issues and substance abuse
Resulted in a systematic cycle of oppression and poverty
Outline some ongoing effects that occurred as a result of dispossession:
Aboriginal people make up 2.7% of the Australia population according to the 2016 census. This census revealed the ongoing devastating effects of dispossession such as:
Life expectancy= 20 years lower
Make up 20% of those unemployed
9% of homeless
Higher mental health issues and substance abuse
Resulted in a systematic cycle of oppression and poverty
Define the land rights movement:
a religious-political movement to secure the rights of aboriginal people to their land and ensure their religious, spiritual and cultural integrity is preserved (connection to the dreaming).
Why are land rights important?
Land rights are of critical importance in relation to aboriginal spirituality as the dreaming is inextricably linked with the land
Control over the land is a means of regaining control of their lives and spirituality
Land Rights claims by ATSI people to repossession & compensation for White use of their land & sacred sites
Mabo Case
An indigenous man from the Torrest Strait islands, he had a large role in indigenous rights in overturning of Terra Nullius.
He sent a precedent and raised awareness and support for indigenous rights
When was the Mabo case?
1991
When was the native title act?
1993
What did the Mabo decision do?
1991 high court: Merian people continued to have a traditional right to possess and live on most lands of Mer ( rejected Terra Nullius)
What was the native title amendment act?
1998: The native title amendment act: (10 point plan) gave the right to negotiate for government-owned land and was a set back for native title
- it gave priority to pastoralist rights and they only had a right to be consulted
What was the 10 point plan?
1998: The native title amendment act: (10 point plan) gave the right to negotiate for government-owned land and was a set back for native title
What was the Wik decision?
the high court made the decision that native title coexists with pastoral leases, however, the pastoralists rights prevail
When was the Wik decision?
1996
Analyse the importance of dreaming for the land rights movement:
The dreaming defined the connection between the aboriginal people and the land. Without the land, the dreaming could not be communicated.
Thus the land lies at the heart of aboriginal spirituality.
The identity is inextricably linked to the land.
What is census data?
Census data records the population’s religious affiliations and allows us to draw conclusions about how religion is changing in Australia (It is optional on the census)
What religions have experienced religious growth?
Islam: 2011 (2.2%) - 2016 (2.6%) It is the biggest religion outside of Christianity. The rise has occurred due to immigration.
Hinduism: 2011 (1.3%) - 2016 (1.9%) Huge growth, fastest growing
Seekhism: 2011 (0.3%) - 2016 (0.5%) Intense upward growth
Outline Islams changing patterns:
Islam: 2011 (2.2%) - 2016 (2.6%) It is the biggest religion outside of Christianity. The rise has occurred due to immigration.
Outline Hinduisms’ changing patterns:
Hinduism: 2011 (1.3%) - 2016 (1.9%) Huge growth, fastest growing
Outline Seekism’s changing patterns:
Seekhism: 2011 (0.3%) - 2016 (0.5%) Intense upward growth
What religions have experienced religious decline?
Judaism: 2011 (0.5%) - 2016 (0.4%). Numbers have stayed consistent since mass migration after ww2- constant with population growth
Buddhism: 2011 (2.5%) - 2016 (2.4%). Massive growth from 1972-2011 through immigration, numbers have now levelled out
Christianity: 2011 (61.1%) - 2016 (52.4%). Biggest group but is on the decline
Anglicanism: huge decline
Presbyterian: significant, not huge
Uniting Church: more substantial loss
Eastern orthodox: small drop
Catholic: decreased in the percentage of the population but they have increased numerically
Outline Judaism’s changing patterns:
Judaism: 2011 (0.5%) - 2016 (0.4%). Numbers have stayed consistent since mass migration after ww2- constant with population growth
Outline Buddhism’s changing patterns:
Buddhism: 2011 (2.5%) - 2016 (2.4%). Massive growth from 1972-2011 through immigration, numbers have now levelled out
Outline Christianity changing patterns:
Christianity: 2011 (61.1%) - 2016 (52.4%). Biggest group but is on the decline
Outline Anglicanism’s changing patterns:
Anglicanism: huge decline
Outline Presbyterian’s changing patterns:
Presbyterian: significant, not huge
Outline Uniting Church changing patterns:
Uniting Church: more substantial loss
Outline Eastern orthodox changing patterns:
Eastern orthodox: small drop
Outline Catholic changing patterns:
Catholic: decreased in the percentage of the population but they have increased numerically
What was seen from the 2016 census data?
A huge rise in no-religion
No-Religion Census
2011 (22.3%) - 2016 (30.1%)
Intense growth due to the decline of traditional religions and more non-religious schools of thought e.g. meditation
What was the white Australian Policy?
Immigration restriction act/ white Australian policy (1901-1970’s). The aim was to limit non-white immigration ti Australia particularly Asian immigration and thereby preserves the predominance of the British within Aus. The policy reflected the ideal homogenised society.
What does religion in Australia look like today?
Religion in Australia is now more diverse, revitalised and differently located
How and when did the uniting church form?
Methodist Church combined with the Congregational Union of Australia, and the Presbyterian Church of Australia in 1977 to form the uniting church
What is the major religious tradition in Australia?
Christianity
Why is Christianity the major religious tradition in Australia?
Mainly due to British immigration, massive change since 1945 with diverse denominations
How was Christianity brought to Australia?
Assisted migration from Britain brought Christianity to Aust.
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 and secularism
Immigration directly after ww2
1945: numbers were too few, govt. Agreed to take war refugees, affected Christian denominations
Immigration 1945-60
1945-1960: approximately 30,000 Jews arrived from Europe, joining an established community here
1960’s: saw drastic moves to restrict racial diversity
When was the white Australian policy abandoned?
1973
1975 immigration
1975: planned Asian immigration brought multiculturalism and eastern religions to Aust. This escalated after the Vietnam War, 120,000 refugees from Indochina
