Religion Post 1945 Flashcards
The Dreaming
Central and deepest reality underpinning all aspects of Aboriginal spirituality. Metatemporal spiritual dimension that has existed since the beginning and remains ever-present, integrating past, present, and future into a continuous, complex reality. The Dreaming defines the inextricable connection between humankind, the land, and all living things, shaping Aboriginal identity, creation beliefs, and spiritual existence through songs, stories, rituals, and symbols. It establishes Aboriginal lore, guiding kinship structures, obligations, and ceremonies
Kinship
A highly sophisticated system of relationships: determines roles, responsibilies and interactions within a community e.g. whom one can marry. Everyone is related through the complex web of the Dreaming. Fabric of traditional aboriginal society - covers: relationship between tribes, provides sense of belonging and responsibility.
Elder Bob Randall states kinship as “The completeness of the oneness”
Totems
Natural object, plant or animal that’s inherited by members of a clan or familiy as a spiritual emblem. . Considered a natural part of region the clan originated from. Painted on sacred objects which represent the ongoing life force of the dreaming. Unifies clan under leadership of spirit ancestor: thereby creating metaphysical connection (dreaming kinship) w other clans bearing same totem. Totems define people’s relationships to each other and gives them rights and roles within the totemic groups. There is an obligation to protect the totems and pass them on to future generations. Transcendent bond between human and their totem.
e.g. Warali Wali (‘possum’ in Darug language) is a traditional totem of the Darug people.
Moiety
The subdivision of an Aboriginal group into 2 halves so that privileges and duties can be organised. If you are in the same moiety, you are considered ‘siblings’ and therefore forbidden to marry. Moiety groups have a responsibility to care for others in the group. Guards marriage and organises a reciprocal relationship.
Skin names
gained upon birth: to indicate a subsection of the moiety system. It is kind of like a surname and formulates identity. It indicates a person’s bloodline. Skin names are used to inform how people are linked and their obligations to each other. It informs individuals of how they should interact with each other.
Ceremonial life
Central expression of the dreaming connecting individuals with ancestors, the land and each other. Vital: keeps dreaming continuous reality. Aboriginal people are positively obliged to take part in such ceremonies to acknowledge the dreaming creation event and show the ongoing metaphysical presence of the parallel dreaming world. Transport social information from older generations to the younger. Link between physical and spiritual world.
Ceremonial life example
Rituals: form dreaming and is a way to relive activities of ancestor spirits (respect): allows participants to spiritually transform **e.g. Male initation ceremonies: submission to pain and elder authority- proving worthiess for sacred knowledge. **Through these rituals, including body painting with sacred designs, totemic dances, and chants, initiates transcend the physical world to access spiritual reality, where Dreaming secrets are revealed.
Obligations to the land and people
Land, people and the dreaming are apart of one symbiotic relationship (one element can’t function properly w/o the others). –> VITAL ensure function of dreaming Land and people live out the dreaming through ceremony, art, music, storytelling. Rather than viewing humans as having primacy over the land there viewed as equal partners Land isn’t to be mercilessly exploited- tribal law forbids any act view as disrespectful towards nature. Ensure guardianship and care of country. Responsibilities of living with the land include the conservation of the natural and social
environment. This is done through instructions passed on from initiated elders to the next
generation
Indigenous Australians have long practiced sustainable land management techniques, such as controlled burning, known as “fire-stick farming.” This method reduces underbrush, promotes new growth, and minimizes the risk of large-scale wildfires, thereby maintaining ecological balance.
Obligations connection to dreaming
Inextricably connected to the land = dwelling ancestral beings. r+c, ss, totems placed w/in landscape Land: certain obligiations concernign recreation of dreaming events (humans perform these ceremonies/land provides necessary tools). e.g. 4 main sacred colours red, yellow, white and back are derived from natural sources like ochre or clay, Body decorations (e.g. feathers). hunter/gather/preservation of sacred sites
‘the land is my mother’
Dispossession
Act of removing Aboriginal people from land and depriving them of natural resources. European arrivial implemented forced dispossesion via application of terra nullius (no recognition of aboriginal ownership) and private property (illegal to enter ancestral territory). Effects of this laid the foundation of ongoing issues still prevelant today.
Ethnocentricity
Prevailing belief that white people were superior to all other races
Separation from the land
- Due to terra nullius*
- Hoped by separating Aboriginals from land the culture, language, law and identity of the Aboriginal people would be destroyed (ethnocentric views and dehuminizing).
- Moved to less hospitable reserves and missions - enforced English language, European dress, banned traditional ceremonies, and required church attendance.
Separation of land impacts
Stories and dreaming tracks
*Stories could no longer be told at og location: much of the power of re-telling came from being present in the place where events occurred (the sacred site where the ancestral spirits dwell)- monumental loss.
*Dreaming tracks: follow the paths of spirit ancestors as they created the landscape (being able to track these paths provides Aboriginal people with a physical connection the Dreaming) **E.g. the Dreaming track of the Rainbow Serpent is needed to be accessed wholly to enable connection with the story and creative nature of the ancestor spirits → across many parts of Australia, these tracks have been lost due to dispossession **
Separation of land impacts
Loss of sacred spaces/sites of Indigenous communities
Sacred sites are also places of the clan and gender-specific teaching and ritual, regarding ceremonies, morals and language. Loss of sacred space denies access to these significant components of Aboriginal spirituality. Inextricable connection: can’t fulfill ritual responsibilites = loss of spirituality and totemic identity.
Kunjarra: traditional sacred site of the Waumunga people for women’s rituals of the Munga Munga Dreaming - w/o access to the site these rituals cannot be performed, and therefore the people are no longer able to fully express their beliefs -> may turn to other methods -> although First Nations people are 3.8% of the Australian population, they account for 30% of prison populations
Separation from kinship groups
1901: Policy of Assimilation removed mixed Aboriginal people from kinship groups. Individuals where isolated from ancestral territory and knowledge that formerly unified them. Kinship groups = integral at the heart of the way identity is gained and the way people live in relation to each other. Without access to their dreaming kin and the chance to fulfil their spiritual obligations, they felt one of their main purposes in life was gone. Couldn’t gather to perform ceremonies or rituals, or continue the system of reciprocal obligations and expectations
Loss of language
Kinship systems
Prior euro settlement (over 500 distinct languages) = diverse + complex range of myths and stories. Kinship breakdown = decline in indigenous language (english lacks necessary range and sophistication to fully convey meaning of stories). Many myths died out, fewer Aboriginal people who are fluent in old languages.
Breakdown of elder authority
Kinship groups
Breakdown in authority felt by elders rapidly increased with collapsing kinship groups. Knowledge of the Dreaming is passed down through stories of the Elders and interpreted through songs, dances, paintings and ceremonies disrupts transfer of the dreaming from generations (culture deteriorated/traditions lost=oral history) Authority once vested within knowledge of land and law lost meaning and use. Had nothing to turn to for guidance and support (no myths or elders) = substance abuse
Indigenous Australians were 3 times as likely to be hospitalised for a principal diagnosis related to drug use compared with non-Indigenous Australians
Impacts of separation from kinship groups
Without these bonds, aboriginal people effectively lost both their individual and collective sense of self; they became non-people. Without access to dreaming kin (need to fulfill spiritual obligations) no longer: unite w dreaming fam in ceremonies and rites, continue system of reciprocal obligations and expectations, pass on tribal lore (storytelling and initiation practices) - lost sense of purpose
Stolen generation
-Under protection and assimilation acts (1883- 1969) 10 to 33% of Aboriginal children specifically those with lighter skin were forcibly removed from their families and sent to live in foster homes or government institutions. Children cut of from families: names changes, backgrounds erased, taken great distanced away. - Removed children were sent to missions and boarding homes, taught to reject their language, customs, and culture. Aim: adopt white Australian culture, work in white society, and eventually intermarry with whites or other “half-caste” individuals EV - still faced rejection from white communities
Impacts of stolen generation
The psychological, emotional and health problems that these children faced made it difficult to advance within society → exposure to abuse increases likelihood to perpetuate abuse. Difficulties understanding religious beliefs: being raised in missions. e.g. Cootamundra Girls home, where they were exposed to only Christian beliefs. Loose point of fixture: no framework: shattered their kinship and moiety system → lack of knowledge of bloodlines and traditional roles. Lost contact w other IA, land, culture language → Incredible sense of shame of identity and culture: hard to participate in community life.
Stolen Generations survivors aged 50 and over were: 1.4 times as likely to have poor mental health compared to other Indigenous Australians in their age group however 30% of Indigenous Australians reported that they needed to but did not see a health care provider in the previous 12 months (injustice still ingrained in society today) –> sucide 5th leading cause of death amoung First nations people in 2022/17th leading for non indigenous.
Land rights Movement
A religiopolitical movement that seeks to secure the rights of Indigenous Australians to the land and to ensure the preservation of Aboriginal spirituality. Emboddied by an ongoing struggle to gain legal and moral recognition of ownership of lands and waters they called home prior to colonisation. Connection to land is essential to the continued survival of Indigenous cultures as well as their economic and social development.
IMPORTANCE: Acknowledged the spiritual connection to the land, and the need to gain access to certain sacred sites in order to continue ceremonial life
Mabo Case
1982: Eddie Mabo and 2 torres strait islanders sued state of qld in the high court of aus. Goal: prove murray Islands continously occupied by Meriam people b4 euro arrival. 1992: ruled in favour of Mabo and meriam islanders overturned concept of terra nullius (rejected notion that aus belonged to no one b4 euro settlement) Importance = first recognition of ownership and unique connection to the land, set precedent for future land rights
Kinship connection to dreaming
- Extends to all living beings as a means of connecting and binding people together in relationships of sharing and obligation to one another and the land it’s a way of being.
- Assign the responsibility to transmit the knowledge of the dreaming from elders to the younger generations.
- Everyone is related through the complex web of the Dreaming as it binds
Separation from land impacts
Self suffenciey and native title claims
- Because land is the basis of Aboriginal life and Dreaming, the removal of Aboriginal people from the land the immersion into a culture that isn’t their own has removed their ability to be self-sufficient and in harmony 71% relied on government payments as their main income source
- No proof of genealogical link to land which denies ability to make native title claims
Native Title
1993: : Native Title Act created by Prime Minister Paul Keating. Allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to claim land if they proved continuous occupation since before 1788. IMPORTANT: provided a legal basis to implement the doctrines of Mabo = determined how Native Title was formally recorded and rights the denial of land by colonisers. However, Claimants had to provide evidence of continuous occupation from 1788 to present = Indigenous society was oral, missionisation: decades with no residence.
IMPORTANCE: gave official recognition to the Indigenous way of life, particularly it’s spiritual connection to land prior to European settlement, has enabled more than 540 native title determinations across Australia by 2022, allowed communities to have access to land: r&c
Wik
Mabo decision and subsequent ‘Native title Act’ left unanswered the important question of whether or not land that was currently under pastoral lease could be a subject to native tile rights. 1996: Wik people of Cape York brought a case to the high court that claimed that leasehold title may not automatically extinguish native title. Ruled in their favour deciding the native title act and pastoral leaseholders could co-exist and in areas of dispute the leasehold title would trump native title claim. In response the Australian government proposed the “10-Point Plan” to amend the NTA. This plan aimed to provide certainty for landholders and native title holders. These amendments serve as guidelines to clarify native title applications, and the Act continues to be updated, with the latest 2021 changes seeking to make the application process clearer.
IMPORTANCE: influenced future legislation and debates over I LR in Aus. potentially affected over 3.7 million square kilometres of land, as more than 40% of land under pastoral leases became subject to native title claims.
Importance of Dreaming for the Land Rights Movement
- Dreaming: central and deepest reality in a life: inextricably connects identity and beliefs to the land and defines responsibilites in relation to the land. dispossession - euro settlement
- LRM: religio-political movement seeks to secure the rights of indigenous people to the land –> re-established inextricable connection. strengthens connection to ab, ks and cl - restoring element of dreaming
- MABO: overuled TN: recognised inextricable connection: AS gave rights obligations and responsibilites to care for the land and use it in the expression of their spirituality
- NATIVE TITLE: legal basis to implement doctrines of MABO: elements of dreaming: songs, stories, knowledge and sites constituting as evidence of connection. reconnection w kinship groups: fabric of traditional society, relationship between tribes, sense of belonging, responsibilities, transmittion of knowledge
- WIK: legal process allowing NT to coexist w PL. greater quantities return to dreaming lands - r&c: maintains dreaming as present reality, way to relive activies of AS, sense of belonging/purpose
Major trends of changing patterns of religious adherence
- Past 50 years: steady decline in the proportion of Australians who reported affiliation w Christianity
- Same period: consistent rise in ‘other religion’ and ‘no religion’ = particularly last 20 years
- Australia is becoming more religiously diverse
- Rising age profiles: more than two-thirds (69.4%) of the Interwar generation were affiliated with Christianity and were the least likely to have No religion (18.6%).
Most common religious affiliations
- Christianity
- No religion
- Islam
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Sikhism
- Judaism
Cats Never Invent Hamburgers, But Sheep Jump!
Chrisitanity
changing patterns of religious adherents
52% (2016) - 43.9% (2021) 8.1% decline 88% (1947) majority of the population 2016 following of Catholics fell below ‘no religion’ for the first time
Anglicanism: (17.5% 2011 - 9.8% 2021) - Huge decline in traditional Christian adherence
Catholicism: 22.6% (2016) - 20% TREND: Catholics have declined considerably, though it is still the largest religious affiliation.
* Immigration slowed religious decline, particularly for Catholics, reducing it from 7% to 4%, as immigrants, often more religiously active, help maintain cultural identity and boost religious group numbers.
* Young adults (25-39) and children (0-9) were more likely to report no religion (46.5%), while older groups, especially those over 75, identified more as Christian; fewer children are being identified as Christian at birth due to parents not retaining or passing on a Christian identity.
No Religion
30.1% (2016) - 38.9% (2021) 8.8% growth 1971: first time as an acknowledged instruction - saw a seven-fold increase. Upward trend for decades Highest proportion were young adults in 20s - highest proportional increase (2016 – 2021) was 65+.
2016: first time it overtook Catholicism - if trend continues likely to overtake Christianity in the next census
Islam
2.6% (2016) - 3.2% (2021) 0.6% growth however is still a very small% of the overall population - likely due to migration from countries from like Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Bangladesh
* TREND: numbers have risen dramatically since 1945 - only 0.3% Muslims in the 1976 census
Hinduism
1.9% (2016) - 2.7% (2021) 0.8% growth TREND: Huge growth - 0.1% Hindu Australians in 1986 - driven by migration from South Asia
Buddhism
2.41% (2016) - 2.42% (2021) 0.01% growth TREND: stayed consistent in recent years. Massive growth from 1972 until 2011 but the numbers have levelled out. 70% of Buddhists are born overseas - migration. 2016 overtaken by Islam - 2021 overtaken by Hinduism
Sikhism
0.54% (2016) - 0.83% (2021) 0.28% growth TREND: Intense growth due to increasing immigration Grown massively over past decade (2006 wasn’t even in the top 20 - Now in the top 5 (excluding no religion)) 2021: 57, 300 migrants identified as Sikh - of those 96% were born in India. 4th largest ‘other religion’
Judaism
0.39% (2016) - 0.39% (2021) no growth or decline As of 2016 no longer in top 5
TREND: Numbers stayed consistent since mass migration after WW2 numbers stood at 0.4% in 1947
Christianity as the major religious tradition
Migration
- 1945: controlling factor in peoples lives: underpinned secular activites: 88% (1947) - 43.9% (2021): has halved: downwards trend has seemed to pick up speed in the past decade due to rising secularism and the prevalence of multi-faith and multiculturalism has increased
- Arrival of first fleet (1788): majority of convicts and settlers were Church of England (Now Anglican) - fledging colony almost exclusively Christian
- Immigration Restriction Act (1901): allowed European immigrants only ensured the continuation of the religious demographic for at least the next 50 years.
- Abolishment of the WAP in 1973 has catalysed growth of ‘other religions’ past 60 years seen arrival of increasing diversity of faiths
Christianity as a major religious tradition
Institutionalisation and age
- reinforced and perpetuated its position as the predominant religion in Australia. Calendar links to Christian one - easter and Christmas, Religious schools (Catholic and protestant) and universities have proliferated.
- Christian Charitable organisations e.g. St Vincent De Paul have significant impact. Wide range of Christian publishers, bookshops, magazines and websites contributing to the promotion of Christianity as the major religion.
- Young adults (25-39) and children (0-9) were more likely to report no religion (46.5%), while older groups, especially those over 75, identified more as Christian; fewer children are being identified as Christian at birth due to parents not retaining or passing on a Christian identity.
Christianity as the major religious tradition
Denominations
Catholicism: Main denomination in Australia since 1986. Experienced a downturn 22.6% - 20%: still largest due to patterns of immigration. Immigration slowed religious decline, particularly for Catholics, reducing it from 7% to 4%, as immigrants, often more religiously active, help maintain cultural identity and boost religious group numbers.
Uniting Church: The first Christian denomination to be created in Aus founded in 1977 uniting 3 former branches Congregational Union of Aus, Methodist Church of Australasia, and Presbyterian Church of Aus
Pentecostalism: remained steady: dynamic preaching, contemporary music and less formal structure: appealing for younger adherents. Suggestion that it won’t die out as adherents grow older - ‘revolving door syndrome’: theory meaning large number of adherents are only with the Church for a short amount of time – often up to 2 years
Anglicism: Steady, consistent drop (average of 2% every 5 years) - 1947 census (39%) - 9.8% (2021)
Immigration
Originally colonised by British immigration changed Australia from monofaith and monocultural - multifaith and multicultural.
1) Intake of migrants and refugees from WW2:
* Post WW2: gov implements assisted passage scheme as apart of the ‘Populate or Perish policy’ - intended to substantially increase pop of aus - allowed immigration from other euro countries e.g. italy and greece - increase roman catholics and eastern orthodox
* Holocaust survivors + 1956 Hungarian & Egyptian expulsions → Jewish population increase Approx 30,000 Jews arrived from Europe, joining an established community here
2) Abandonment of WAP under Holt gov
* prevented rise in multiculturalism and diversity
* offically abolished in 1973 allowing migrants from asia - particulary vietnam in the aftermath of vietnam war - increase buddhists
* since many religious traditions have entered Australia, notably: Hinduism (largely from India) fastest growing religious in Aus and Islam from Turkey, Lebanon and wider Middle East (fleeing civil war)
- In 2021 Nearly half (49%) of Australians were born overseas (first gen) or have one/both parents who were born overseas (second gen)
Denominational switching
- emerged as trend in recent years in aus and rest of western world
- no longer making lifelong commitments to on church - contrast to historic patterns (individuals and fam remaining affiliated w one denomination for many gen) - per the National Christian Life Survey, only 15% of 20–39- year-olds see loyalty to a denomination as important
- many ways reflection of modern consumer society: significance of lifetime loyalty and accountability to a particular church has diminished in proportion to the growing anonymity and individualisation of our lives
- Traditional Christian denominations like Anglican and Presbyterian churches are experiencing a decline in numbers, while Pentecostalism is the fastest-growing Christian movement.
- Pentecostalism Growth: 75% of its expansion comes from adherents switching from other denominations rather than conversions.
- Appeal to Youth: With 185,000 weekly attendees, it attracts younger followers through charismatic preaching, contemporary music, and large events, offering an engaging alternative to traditional rituals.
- High Turnover: While 28% of adherents switch denominations yearly, 15% leave within two years, leading to a ‘revolving door syndrome’, where many engage only briefly before moving on.
- Family breakdown: recent surveys found that children of divorce parents are 64% more likely to cease identifying with the family faith than children of non-divorced families
Rise of New Age religions
NAR: extremely diverse in nature typically focusing on fostering individual fulfilment regarding happiness, health and meaning in life. Differ from other faiths while together form an overall spiritual movement lack any single unifying creed, sacred text or foraml leadership. Can be followed instead of or alongside traditional religious practices. Tend to reject monotheism but may accept polytheism, pantheism, goddesses or monism. Often adopt elements from eastern religions e.g. may incorporate elements of numerology, astrology, yoga, tai chi, paganism, and feng shui. Provide freedom for adherents to choose what fulfills them in a spiritual manner.
Astrology: relates to the zodiac originating in ancient Babylon where the 12 signs mirror the constellations. According to Astrology we are in a new age of enlightenment - humankind will experience new birth and move into higher standard of consciousness.
Secularism
- Ideology that says the policies and decisions made by governments should be completely separate from religious influence
- Understanding soceity through reason, fact and scientific analysis
- Phenomenon occurred fairly simultaneously with the consistent drop in the number of respondents recording membership of traditional established churches.
Secularism
impact on landscape
- Greater trust in science: cyclical nature of history: sesurgence of rationalist ideals of the 17th century enlightenment period –> 30% (2016) - 39% no religion (2021)
- Dramatic rise: end of Vietnam war widespread war weariness (20th century bloodiest in history) disenchantment with governments and related authorities including established churches.
- Disillusionment: Developing undercurrent of suspicion towards institutions deemed to be patriarchal in nature Christian Research Association claims this attitude began to foment considerably earlier than the 1960s ‘For many, WW1 raised questions about the validity and effectiveness of Christianity as the moral foundation of the western world
- Dogmatic religious beliefs may also be constructed as holding back progress of science e.g. Stem cell research OR jeopardising the health of millions e.g. Condom use in developing countries - these kinds of decisions should be based on reason and logic rather than religion.
- Individualism: prior to 1960s and 70s -all aus affiliated w religious denomination: regularly attended church and Sunday school. Today= less emphasis on conforming more emphasis on autonomy of the individual, increased freedom = rise of secularism - understanding=religion is essentially a private concern
- Rise of multiculturalism
e.g. The 61.6% Yes vote in the 2017 same-sex marriage survey reflects Australia’s shift towards secularism, where many citizens, even those from religious backgrounds, prioritized individual rights, equality, and personal freedom over traditional religious teachings. Opposition was largely rooted in Christian doctrines that defined marriage as between a man and a woman, but as religious influence declined, laws began to reflect secular values, leading to legalization in 2017.
Define Ecumenism
the movement within Christianity that aims to restore unity among all Christian denominations by encouraging dialogue and collaboration between churches
- 1977: several Australian Churches (Congregational Union of Aus, Methodist Church of Australasia, and Presbyterian Church of Aus) combined to create the Uniting Church.
National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA)
- ecumenical org –> bring together Anglicans, Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox in dialogue and practical cooperation to express visibly the unity desired by Christ. Seeks to strengthen cause of Christian unity by working, praying and growing together
- 1994: included roman catholic church: unprecendented gave momentum to ecumenism movement at national level
- 15 churches
- More conservative and evangelical denominations such as Baptist and Pentecostals reluctance to accept validity of ecumenical dialogue placed certain limitations on overall effectiveness of the council
- Aim: promote emphasis on similarities, appreciation for differences, unified from on important issues, communication, joint approach to various initiatives in the name of the Gospel.
Impact of NCCA
The NCCA’s Christian Unity Week 2020 united Catholic, Anglican, and Uniting Church leaders to address secular issues like refugee rights and poverty. Through joint worship, prayer vigils, and advocacy with groups like the Refugee Council of Australia, they lobbied for better refugee treatment, using letter campaigns and personal stories to engage both religious and non-religious Australians, highlighting the Church’s role in social justice.
An important facet of the NCCA its sponsorship of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC) represents Indigenous Christian communities and advises the NCCA on Indigenous issues.
Example: In 2012, NATSIEC hosted the Faith, Christ, and Culture Conference in Baulkham Hills, where Dr. Reddie led discussions on Aboriginal spirituality, drawing from his experience as a descendant of enslaved people to inspire change.
NSW Ecumenical Council
- 1946
- 1/7 affiliated w NCCA
- Has 16 member churches in NSW and ACT
-provides local initiative to promote ecumenism on grassroots level
- Has 16 member churches in NSW and ACT
- Like NCCA has conservative churches e.g. Pentecostals and Baptists thus far refused to join somewhat limiting effectiveness
- Aim: to be the instrument through which its member churches celebrate and manifest their unity living out the Gospel by acting together for Gods purpose sponsors variety of charitable and social initiatives
NSWEC’s Prayer for Unity and Peace 2021 addressed critical social issues like homelessness and mental health. Christian leaders from Catholic, Anglican, and Uniting Churches partnered with secular groups such as The Salvation Army and Mental Health Australia, using prayers and reflections to urge government action while collaborating on practical solutions to these crises.
Interfaith dialogue
A formal discussion between representatives from different religious traditions to peacefully talk and exchange info on respective faiths with the aim of developing greater mutual understanding, harmony, benevolence and peace
- Religions (and their sects) complex history w eachother, often marked by conflict. The end of WWII marked the start of a slow but significant process that has allowed religions to engage in interfaith dialogue which is seen as increasingly important today.
- -
- Education to dispel fear and bigotry
- NOT: about debate or attempts to proselytise
Importance of Interfaith Dialogue
- aus=increasingly pluralistic and multi-faith
- Stand united on certain issues recognising common ground between them
- Allows for greater respect and appreciation of religious diversity essential for harmony and peace
- Allowing different religions to come to a better appreciation of the uniqueness of each other
- Promotes unity and strengths in the face of growing secularism
- Catalyst for personal, social and cultural transformation
- Postmodern world
Examples of interfaith dialogue
- NCCA established National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews in 2003: seeks to understand key concepts in each religion that have led to misunderstanding. Muslim community explained jihad, Jewish: Zionism and Christian: concept of trinity. Provides opportunity for faiths to live in harmony together builds understanding and clarifies contentious issues
- Together For Humanity is an Australian educational organization that collaborates with schools in NSW, VIC, QLD to promote intercultural understanding and acceptance across diverse ethnicities and faiths. Their programs facilitate dialogue and cooperation among individuals from various religious backgrounds, to combat prejudice and advance belonging and inclusion.
- The Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations is an initiative of the St. Columbans Mission Society, a Catholic missionary organization. Established in 1997, the Centre is dedicated to fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between Christians and Muslims. Columbian cente of christian muslim relations and the Diocese of Parramatta co-hosted a Multifaith Community Iftar, bringing together 100 people from various faiths to promote dialogue and solidarity during the Israel-Hamas conflict. The event featured speeches on the importance of interfaith encounter and unity especially in times of conflict, concluding with a Christian hymn performance: The Centre organizes the annual Interfaith Bridge Walk, promoting unity and understanding among different religious communities. Participants from diverse backgrounds come together to walk in solidarity, symbolizing their commitment to dialogue and mutual respect.
Reconciliation
process whereby ATSI and the non-indigenous citizens of Aus can move into the future with a new relationship based on mutual recognition, understanding and respect. Acknowledges mistakes and injustices perpetrated in the past e.g. dispossession of land and Stolen generation must be fully acknowledged and delt with to promote harmony and help heal the trauma of the gov protection and assimilation policies.
Ongoing process of Reconciliation still faces serious barriers, such as ABS stats showing life expectancy 20 years below average. If it is only addressed at a policy or issue level it loses depth and meaning and will not last.
Examples of reconciliation
- NATSIEC: provides a forum to give Aboriginal Australians a voice on issues pertaining to faith, mission and evangelism focusing on education policies and programs of national importance in Closing the Gap efforts. Run a program designed to empower women to tell their stories of loss (Stolen Generation) In 2012, NATSIEC hosted the Faith, Christ, and Culture Conference in Baulkham Hills, where Dr. Reddie led discussions on Aboriginal spirituality, drawing from his experience as a descendant of enslaved people to inspire change drawing parallels between historical injustices and the need for reconciliation today.
- The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies released a statement of Reconciliation reconfirmed in 2008 that declares reconciliation at the utmost importance. Held a shabbat service honoring indigenous people at the great synangoue. The Shalom Gamarada Scholarship Program fosters reconciliation by bridging educational gaps and strengthening Jewish-First Nations solidarity. Closing the Gap: Provides First Nations students with scholarships at UNSW’s Shalom College, covering accommodation, meals, and academic support, enabling higher education access. Jewish organizations supported the Uluru Statement from the Heart, issuing the “Voice, Treaty, Truth” statement to advocate for constitutional recognition and justice.
- Week of prayer: Held each year between 27 May and 3 July commemorate 2 sig milestones in reconciliation journey: 1967 referendum and Mabo decision. Started in 1993 providing interfaith week of prayer common goal reconciliation: major Christian churchs, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Baha’ism ‘see the person not the stereotype’
Why are NAR rising
often include nature elements e.g. astrology people connect to greater in the rising age of sustainability.
growing since 1970s: nature religions 0.02% (1991) – 0.13% (2021) –> become very widespread although some people only adhere to a small amount of the beliefs and practices.
Disillusionment w gov: masses after vietnam war coupled with movements e.g. feminism and civil rights - questioning and rejections of traditional religous authroity structures. e.g. Christianity viewed by many: failed to provide spiritual and ethical guidance w its negativity towards sexuality and women
Growing emphasis on the autonomy of individual: NAR focus ofn self improvement techniques to assist individual in realising their inner potential –> traditional religion = distant and not answering individual need.
