Religious Expression in Australia 1945 - present Flashcards
Outline changing patterns of religious adherence
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’
Why Christianity the largest?
Why the changes?
Settlement
White Australia Policy
Immigration from Europe
—————
Traditional churches -> adherents ageing, no one joining
Pentecostal -> music. Revolving door syndrome -> lists join & then leave
What impact has immigration had?
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
Impact of Denominational switching
More Pentecostals, less traditional.
What impact has the rise of ‘New Age Spiritualities’ had on the religious landscape?
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.
What impact has secularism had on the religious landscape?
More choosing ‘no religion’ since 1971.
Less choosing to state their religion (usually Christianity).
What impact has the ecumenical movements of the National Council of Churches had?
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
What impact has the ecumenical movements of the NSW Ecumenical Council had?
Social justice
Believe in unity between those who believe in God
“Christian Duties” between churches, rather than focusing on their differences
Eg Christmas Bowl
Why is it so important that interfaith dialogue take place in Australia?
Australia is a multi-faith society; the potential to rip itself apart because of prejudice.
In the process of Reconciliation, what relationship between Aboriginal Spirituality and religious traditions?
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
What interfaith dialogue has been occurring in Australia?
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.
Discuss how Aboriginal spirituality is determined by the Dreaming:
KINSHIP
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
Discuss how Aboriginal spirituality is determined by the Dreaming:
CEREMONIAL LIFE
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
Discuss how Aboriginal spirituality is determined by the Dreaming:
OBLIGATIONS TO LAND AND PEOPLE
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
Outline changing patterns of religious adherence from 1945 to the present using census data
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%
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to:
CHRISTIANITY AS THE MAJOR RELIGIOUS TRADITION
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)
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to:
IMMIGRATION
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)
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to:
DENOMINATIONAL SWITCHING
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
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to:
RISE OF NEW AGE RELIGION
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
Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to:
SECULARISM
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
Describe the impact of Christian ecumenical movements in Australia
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
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
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
NSW ECUMENICAL COUNCIL
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
Evaluate the importance of interfaith dialogue in multifaith Australia
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
Examine the relationship between Aboriginal spiritualities and religious traditions in the process of Reconciliation
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
Examine the relationship between Aboriginal spiritualities and religious traditions in the process of Reconciliation
EXAMPLES
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
