Religious Expression in Australia 1945 - present

Question 1

Outline changing patterns of religious adherence

Answer 1

Australia still largely Christian because of settlement.
No. church-goers declining, esp. traditional Protestant churches
Orthodox increased post WWII; now remaining constant
Catholics increased post WWII; now largest denomination
Pentecostal increase
Buddhist, Jewish & Muslim increases
Jews constant & few
Increase in ‘no religion’

Question 2

Why Christianity the largest?

Why the changes?

Answer 2

Settlement
White Australia Policy
Immigration from Europe
—————
Traditional churches -> adherents ageing, no one joining
Pentecostal -> music. Revolving door syndrome -> lists join & then leave

Question 3

What impact has immigration had?

Answer 3

Increase in Christians -> immigration from Europe post WWII
Increase in Islam -> war in Palestine means more immigrants
Increase in Hinduism -> work availability in Australia
Increase in Buddhism -> Vietnam War

Question 4

Impact of Denominational switching

Answer 4

More Pentecostals, less traditional.

Question 5

What impact has the rise of ‘New Age Spiritualities’ had on the religious landscape?

Answer 5

More people choosing ‘other’ religion in the census.

Has attracted people from traditional religions to one that is ‘more fulfilling’ or relevant to today’s society.

Question 6

What impact has secularism had on the religious landscape?

Answer 6

More choosing ‘no religion’ since 1971.

Less choosing to state their religion (usually Christianity).

Question 7

What impact has the ecumenical movements of the National Council of Churches had?

Answer 7

Working to reverse racial legislation - because Australia is so multicultural there is potential to rip apart society through prejudice.
-> reforms to White Australia Policy
Youth service for Reconciliation -> working with Indigenous youth

Question 8

What impact has the ecumenical movements of the NSW Ecumenical Council had?

Answer 8

Social justice
Believe in unity between those who believe in God
“Christian Duties” between churches, rather than focusing on their differences
Eg Christmas Bowl

Question 9

Why is it so important that interfaith dialogue take place in Australia?

Answer 9

Australia is a multi-faith society; the potential to rip itself apart because of prejudice.

Question 10

In the process of Reconciliation, what relationship between Aboriginal Spirituality and religious traditions?

Answer 10

Islam met with Aboriginal people since before white settlement
Reconciliation Australia -> eliminate life expectancy gap; try for respect of culture & contribution to society
Daly River -> blending Catholicism & Aboriginal Spirituality
Uniting Church -> supporting land claims, listening to their problems

Question 11

What interfaith dialogue has been occurring in Australia?

Answer 11

Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims & Jews
SoR course for HSC
Brigo going to Malek Fahd Islamic School
Breaking down of stereotypes -> e.g. only a few Muslims are extremist.
Federation of Ethnic Communities of Councils of Australia (FECCA) -> women of different faith
Affinity Intercultural Foundation -> started by Muslims for awareness of Muslim community.

Question 12

Discuss how Aboriginal spirituality is determined by the Dreaming:

KINSHIP

Answer 12

Integral to spirituality; refers to network of relationships holding clan together

Relationships establish/reinforce rules of community behaviour

Land important aspect of kinship; referred to as ‘my mother’

Kinship ties identify system of belonging and responsibility

Question 13

Discuss how Aboriginal spirituality is determined by the Dreaming:

CEREMONIAL LIFE

Answer 13

Ancestors taught human descendants to live and how to keep life going through secret ceremonies

Dreaming and life giving powers live through humans/ animals after performing ceremonies

Rituals renew/conserve life→ everyone expected to understand sacred traditions

Art→ way of communicating the Dreaming through symbols, paintings, representations

Stories→ Describe law, lifestyle, customs/culture→ always messages of ethics

Totems→ Represent individuals as they existed in Dreaming, carry ceremonial responsibilities

Question 14

Discuss how Aboriginal spirituality is determined by the Dreaming:

OBLIGATIONS TO LAND AND PEOPLE

Answer 14

Connection to land; responsibility to care and nurture land

Dreaming links person to land and objects within land

People share same spiritual essence as land

Land is physical medium through which the Dreaming is lived and communicated

Question 15

Outline changing patterns of religious adherence from 1945 to the present using census data

Answer 15

1901; 96% of pop were Christian. → 2011; 61% of pop were Christian

1901; 0.4% of pop were no religion. → 2011; 37% of pop were no religion

1996; 1.1% of pop were Islamic. → 2011; 2.2% of pop were Islamic (growth rate of 70%)

1996-2006→

• Buddhism growth rate was 109%
• Hinduism growth rate was 120%

Question 16

Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to:

CHRISTIANITY AS THE MAJOR RELIGIOUS TRADITION

Answer 16

Though Aus is multi-faith society; main religious affiliation still strongly Christian

Roman Catholic and Anglican Church still hold dominant roles (Anglican ties to Britain weakened significantly)

After WW2→ Europe contributed many nationalities under Catholic banner

1975-1984→ Migration of Indo-Chinese refugees brought large Asian contingent to Catholic Church

Over 30 ethnic groups constitute the Catholic Church today in Aus

Pentecostal Churches shown significant growth→ popular with youth (use contemporary music, large stadium events, avoidance of formalised liturgy)

Question 17

Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to:

IMMIGRATION

Answer 17

The arrival of other religious traditions added to the main religion; Christianity. But numbers were small and had little impact on the overall religious landscape

Aus Muslim population is migrants from 35 countries; flee war etc

BUDDHISM

• Increase in Buddhists immigrating since the suspension of “White Australia” policy (1960’s)
• 1973→ All barriers to non-Europeans were removed and Aus became attractive to Asian migrants
• 1981-1991→ Buddhism fastest-growing religion in Aus

JUDAISM
- After WW2→ Jewish survivors moved to Israel or Aus
1945-1960→ Approx 30,000 Jews arrived from Europe, joining already established Jewish communities in Melbourne/ Sydney
- Contemporary Aus becoming diverse in the religious composition
- Presence of synagogues, Buddhist and Hindu temples, mosques→ all changed Aus religious landscape (diminishing predominance of Christianity)

Question 18

Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to:

DENOMINATIONAL SWITCHING

Answer 18

Transfer of followers from one variant or denomination to another (usually in Protestantism)

Revolving door syndrome; moving from one to another

Feature of Christianity, but can occur across boundaries of any religious tradition

Enables a person to find spiritual ‘home’ where they feel more at ease with the style of worship and views put forwards by ministers in the parish

Question 19

Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to:

RISE OF NEW AGE RELIGION

Answer 19

Rise of individualism; general trend of moving from traditional religions and their rigidity to seek spiritual fulfillment elsewhere

NAR→ “Loosely structured network of individuals holding new visions of enlightenment and harmony while subscribing to a common worldview.” RON RHODES

Tend to see reality as interrelated and interdependent; spirituality is multifaceted→ altered states of consciousness, reincarnation, spiritualism, etc

E.g. Tarot cards, yoga, tai chi, Wicca, paganism
Creation-centered; seeking guidance and answers

Question 20

Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to:

SECULARISM

Answer 20

The general trend in modern society to replace religious belief with other kinds of activity drawn from secular disciplines of sociology, psychology, science

When religious perspectives abandoned in favor of non-religious response to life’s questions

Some see it as an attempt to abandon attitudes that instill guilt in individual, or as an option that excludes any form of religious adherence

Religious values are declining; replaced by materialism, individualism

Increase in ‘no religion” in census figures

Question 21

Describe the impact of Christian ecumenical movements in Australia

Answer 21

Ecumenism→ Christian unity among different branches of a religious community; movement towards unity amongst Christian churches

Positive call to unity and peace; successful in aiding social justice matters (e.g. refugee works)

Brings churches together; provides more opportunities to help others; more work can be done

A larger number of provisions and resources utilized to help marginalized

Question 22

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES

Answer 22

Formed 1994, has 17 member churches (E.g. Salvation Army, Greek Orthodox Church)

Social justice programs: Act for Peace→ Brings refugees into society, provides aid

Calls churches together to help people in need provides an opportunity for unity in faith

Question 23

NSW ECUMENICAL COUNCIL

Answer 23

Formed 1982, has 15 member churches (E.g. Salvation Army, Greek Orthodox Church)

Involved in helping with homelessness, educating asylum seekers

Identify the need for peace and for everyone to give to the community

Question 24

Evaluate the importance of interfaith dialogue in multifaith Australia

Answer 24

Interfaith dialogue: Cooperation between people of different faiths; create respect and appreciation for religious diversity

Promote mutual understanding, harmony, cooperation, interfaith prayer services

Promotes peace, unity between all people and strengthens relations

Important during times of crisis; helps maintain peace and stops disharmony

E.g. Parramatta shooting of police officer; interfaith communications between mosque and Church to stop people protesting and vandalising mosque, and to establish cooperation with police

Question 25

Examine the relationship between Aboriginal spiritualities and religious traditions in the process of Reconciliation

Answer 25

Reconciliation: Process where Aboriginal and non-indigenous citizens to move into future with new relationship based on mutual recognition, understanding and respect

Mistakes and injustices in the past must be fully acknowledged and dealt with so everyone lives in harmony (e.g. dispossession of land, stolen generations)

To facilitate healing of spirituality and of the Aboriginal condition→ many religious groups support reconciliation and need for a formal apology

The church historically helped with destructive govt policies; now advocate for interfaith support in reconciliation

Question 26

Examine the relationship between Aboriginal spiritualities and religious traditions in the process of Reconciliation

EXAMPLES

Answer 26

CHRISTIANITY:
- Caritas→ calls for more assistance to Indigenous people due to ongoing traumatic effects of Assimilation
Roman Catholic Church involved National
- Reconciliation Week→ week of initiatives promoting reconciliation focuses largely on Aboriginal health

ISLAM:
Islamic groups make public statements supporting reconciliation and formal apology for stolen generations

BUDDHISM:

• Peace fellowship runs programs for social welfare and education
• Run a program for alcoholic Aboriginals; combines alcoholic anonymous process with Buddhist beliefs