religion in australian society

Question 1

ethics

Answer 1

religion is used to clarify right and wrong and can be seen to underpin the values in many traditional Judeo-Christian nations

Question 2

beliefs

Answer 2

provide a purpose to life for many people who live in Australia today

Question 3

sacred texts

Answer 3

guide people on how to live their lives and respond to the current issues within society

Question 4

rituals, ceremonies and festivals

Answer 4

underpin important moments in a persons life. celebrations such as christmas and easter dictate a nations calendar and public holidays

Question 5

contribution of religion

Answer 5

• answers some of life’s bigger and ultimate questions
• e.g. why do we suffer and is there a supreme being
  religion can confront issues in life, particularly those which are socially unjust. Catholic organisations within Australia respond to issues of a humanitarian nature including the treatment of refugees
• religion for those who adhere to it, through its characteristics provides a practical way for a person to base their life upon
• the ethics of particular religion will influence the human behaviour of those who follow it

Question 6

religion in australia

Answer 6

• a study of the 2011 census will show that there is a growing trend in people adhering to no religion; as well as an increase in religious diversity
• secularism is growing, as is the changing face of religion in Australia
• between 2006 and 2011 there was a 3.6% increase in the people opting for no religion

Question 7

diversity in tradition and culture

Answer 7

• one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world. The diversity is largely the product of the waves of immigration that have occurred from the settlement period, after WW2 until the present day.
• Religious diversity is concentrated in large cities in Australia, particularly in Melbourne and Sydney.
  Large Australian cities often consist of sub-cultures which are representative of differing religious traditions.
• Those areas will possess churches, community halls and places of cultural interest to enable those people to socialize within their communities

Question 8

secularisms contribution 1

Answer 8

• As drawn into the Constitution, Australia is a secular state
• Australia as a secular nation is highly accommodating to a wide variety of beliefs
• The increasing diversity of Australian belief and practice, including the growth of non-traditional belief and practice finds a natural place in an open secular nation
• Australia has naturally moved beyond its native Christian foundation that existed in the initial time of the settlement

Question 9

secularisms contribution 2

Answer 9

• connection to nature and land is one way that people people can express their non institutionalised spirituality
• New Age spirituality can be seen to have its roots in paganism. It is expressed through an interest in the body, land and rituals
• In 21st Century Australia, a rise in interest in new spiritualities unlocks religious seekers who were previously locked in to more dogmatic systems of belief
• it can often be difficult to catagorise in terms of statistics what religion really does look like today in Australia
• Some people may identify with a particular religion but they are also influenced with less traditional spiritual elements which are offered within that secular society

Question 10

religions place in society 1

Answer 10

• statistical evidence to present argument that religion has less of an importance in 21st century Australia than it did in previous years
• An increasing tendency of Australians is to state that they have no religion. “No Religion” rose from 6.7 % in 1971 to 22.3% in 2011, and 29.6% in 2016
• In 2012, 72% of all marriages in Australia were conducted by civil celebrants
• This increase in secularism has occurred against background of gradual globalisation and associated changes in social values and attitudes

Question 11

religions place in society 2

Answer 11

• seen to have a diminishing place in society still imperative to the functioning of issues and services in society
• often voices it opinions on current issues and provides services which allow the society to function, healthcare and education
• increasingly secular society, the Australian mainstream churches have renewed their relevance by becoming in issues of peace and social justice
• multicultural and multi-faith society works together in building harmony in these areas
• relationships between the Christian Churches (ecumenism) and relations between the various different faiths (inter-faith dialogue) are characterised by mutual tolerance and respect