religion in society

Question 1

define ‘social factor’

Answer 1

things that affect a person’s lifestyle or social conditions that affect human behaviours

Question 2

list examples of social factors

Answer 2

Materialism, consumerism, individualism culture

Historical events e.g. 911, immigration, Vatican II

Social disadvantage e.g. poverty, war

Social attitudes about religion e.g. atheism, militant secularism (can’t openly express their religion)

Political ideologies e.g. communism, theocracy (government is run by clergy)

Religious leaders in society e.g. Pope Francis

Question 3

how is religion viewed in Australia

Answer 3

Diverse and Multifaithed – has a dominant role
- Australia is multicultural and multifaithed
- Diversity of religious tradition
- 2 thirds of Australians are affiliated with a religion, 10%
practise their faith regularly
- Religious building e.g. churches, hospitals are part of
built landscape
- Some people wear distinctively religious clothing in
public
- Religious agencies
- Religious leaders participate in public debates
- 1 third of Australian children attend catholic/other
religious schools

Secular
- Constitution #116: religion and state should be
separate, no state religion enforced
- Regular religious practise has declined over past half
century
- Religious holidays not observed as they once were
- Religion’s not prominent in public affairs
Religion is still a very visible part of Australia society

Question 4

list 4 ways religion is viewed in society

Answer 4

as a belief system

as a human invention

as a functional agency

as a political invention

Question 5

explain the view of religion in society as a belief system

Answer 5

Assumes ultimate reality exists and religions have a basis for their beliefs

Characteristics:
- Religion meets the spiritual needs of people
- Religions answers questions of meaning and
purpose in life
- Religious transformation brings change in people

Question 6

explain the view of religion in society as a human invention

Answer 6

Assumes religions have no basis for beliefs and are creations of human origin

• Religion is used to manipulate people
• Religions is used to subjugate people
• Religion is a human construct to give comfort in times
  of distress

Question 7

explain the view of religion in society as a functional agency

Answer 7

Assumes religion is a universal phenomenon and serve a useful purpose

• Religions or organised systems that promote the
  stability of society
• Religions are good for health and wellbeing
• Religious ideals fulfil the need for a stable frame of
  reference

Question 8

explain the view of religion in society as a political invention

Answer 8

Assumes religion represents groups of people with common interests

• Religions are influential
• religions have values
• religions have traditions

Question 9

explain how religious affiliation in Australia has changed over time (stats)

Answer 9

No religion is becoming more popular: 22.3% in 2011 to 30.1% in 2016

As no religion increases, Catholicism decreases: 25.3% in 2011 to 22.5% in 2016

Christianity is only 61.1% in 2011 to 52.1% in 2016

Question 10

give reasons for the change in religious affiliation in Australia over time (from 2011 to 2016 census)

Answer 10

IMMIGRATION - 27% of overseas born Australians stated
no religion

no religion box moved to the top of the list

Atheist campaign urged people to mark no religion if they’re born into a religion but no longer practise it

agnosticism, atheism, rationalism or humanism iscounted as no religion

People between 20 – 30 is the most common age-group for reporting no religion – people begin to question religions that they were once brought up in

2011 census revealed that the higher level of education a person has, the more likely they will report having no religion – belief in science and logic with higher education

increase in secularism: increase in pluralism, materialism and consumerism, trust in science, DISTRUST in religion