Religious expression in Australia post 1945

Question 1

Christianity (x3) %, denomination, exception

Answer 1

• Christianity has decreased as both a % and total number, from 61.1% in 2011 to 52.1% in 2016
• Every denomination has experienced both % and total number decrease
• The only exception is ‘Other Christian’ that has decreased as a % but increased as a total number

Question 2

No Religion

Answer 2

No Religion has increased from;

22. 3% in 2011
23. 1% in 2016

Question 3

Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism & Judaism stats only

Answer 3

Islam (2.6%)
Buddhism (2.4%)
Hinduism (1.9%)
Judaism (0.4%)

Question 4

Change in religion other than Christianity

Answer 4

In 1947, the percentage of Australians claiming to belong to a religion other than Christianity was 0.5% of the population.
In 2016 this had increased to 8.2%

Question 5

Result of an increase in migrants born in India

Answer 5

Hinduism increased from 0.7% in 2006 to 1.9% in 2016

Sikhism increased from 0.1% in 2006 to 0.5% in 2016

Question 6

Buddhism - numbers and %

Answer 6

Buddhism has increased its total numbers, however, has decreased in % from 2.5% to 2.4%

Question 7

Top 5 census responses 2016

Answer 7

• No Religion – 30.1%
• Roman Catholic – 22.6%
• Anglican – 13.3%
• Uniting Church – 3.7% (Methodist, Presbyterian &
  Congregational)
• Christian (not further defined) – 2.6% / Islam – 2.6%

Question 8

Christianity as a major religious tradition - decline (x2)

Answer 8

• The significant decline in the number of Christians regularly attending religious services can be attributed to the aging population, the lack of migrant intake and the general dissatisfaction impacting on other mainstream Christian groups
• Although an increase in the diversity of migrants, the numerical majority of immigrants have been British (and therefore Christian) in origin

Question 9

Immigration (x5) (Migration)

Answer 9

• Changed Australia from being mono-cultural, mono-faith to multi-cultural, multi-faith
• Since World War 2 and the lifting of the White Australia policy there has been much more diversity in migration and an accompanying increase in the diversity of religious groupings
• Migration after World War 2 led to increased number of Catholics from countries such as Italy, Malta etc.
  This also increased numbers of Orthodox Christians from Greece and Eastern Europe
• Migration has led to significant increases in the numbers of people who are Buddhist, Muslims, Hindus and Jews
• The Vietnam War displaced more then two million people, approximately 120,000 of whom arrived in Australia, some of whom were Buddhist

Question 10

Denominational switching

Answer 10

The exchange of church members between different Christian denominations.

Question 11

Rise of New Age religions (x2)

Answer 11

• New Age religions grew by 140% between 1996-2001
• Many New Age practices focus on self-improvement techniques and aim to assist the individual in realising inner potential

Question 12

Secularism (x2)

Answer 12

• Free from spirituality
• The principle of the separation of government institutions and persons mandated to represent the state from religious institutions and religious dignitaries

Question 13

Pentecostal shift & Anglican drop (x2)

Answer 13

• In the 2016 census, it can be seen that identification with the Anglican faith has continued to drop, while Pentecostal identification has maintained a 1.1%.
• Part of the shift is that some Anglicans are choosing to join Pentecostal services, with these services offering a fresh perspective on Christianity.

Question 14

New Age Religions differing from normal religions

Answer 14

New Age religions differ from other faiths in that, while together they form an overall spiritual movement, they nonetheless lack any single unifying creed or doctrine

Question 15

Two basic propositions of secularism (x2)

Answer 15

• The strict separation of the state from religious institutions
• People of different religions and beliefs are equal before the law

Question 16

Growth in secularism as a result of

Answer 16

• Widespread war weariness, the civil rights movement and the rise of feminism led many individuals to experience a general disenchantment with governments and related authorities, including the established church
• The increasing emphasis on the rights of the individual in our society over a sense of obligation to the community

Question 17

Ecumenism (x2)

Answer 17

• THE DOCTRINE THAT PROMOTES COOPERATION AND BETTER UNDERSTANDING AMONG DIFFERENT CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS
• It’s concerned with unity of the Church - One religion, one faith = unity of the church

Question 18

Signs of ecumenism (x4)

Answer 18

• Declarations between churches
• Visits between heads of churches
• Theological dialogues
• Pastoral activities jointly undertaken

Question 19

The National Council Of Churches Of Australia (NCCA) (x2)

Answer 19

• A Christian ecumenical body bringing together a number of Australia’s Christian churches in dialogue and practical cooperation, formed in 1994
• Works in collaboration with state ecumenical councils around Australia.

Question 20

NCCA work/initatives (Youth Reconciliation Project)

Answer 20

• Concerned with working with indigenous youth.
• Aims to speak and act on the needs of Indigenous youth in crisis.
• Works within existing structures.
• Involves research component to assess the needs in relation to their spirituality and view of Christianity as it is expressed in various denominations.

Question 21

NSW Ecumenical council

Answer 21

• Comprised of 15 Christian churches (Protestants and Orthodox) throughout NSW and ACT
• Their endeavour is about churches WORKING TOGETHER IN MISSION- this means working together through social justice projects.
• This missionhas three foundations: maintaining “the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace” [Ephesians 4: 3], being committed to the Gospel and to proclaiming it together, and living out the implications of the Gospel for service in the world.

Question 22

Why NSW ecumencial council exists to (x3)

Answer 22

• To address together causes of division in the faith and order of the Church
• To respond more effectively to human need and to the scriptural imperative to seek justice for people everywhere
• To bear witness to the gospel by promoting dialogue with people of other faiths and ideologies in NSW

Question 23

NSW ecumenical council initatives (Christmas Bowl) (x3)

Answer 23

• First appeal was held in 1949 – a suggestion to place a bowl on the table for Christmas dinner and to place in it the amount equal to the cost of another meal. A significant fund raiser for the council.
• The initial reason was to help the second world war refugees, now held annually across Australia.
• Has supported 53 projects, in the pacific, Asia, Africa and the middle east.

Question 24

Interfaith Dialogue (x4)

Answer 24

• Cooperative and positive interaction between adherents of different religious traditions.
• Aims to provide greater understanding between religious traditions and to promote tolerance
• A process that seeks to achieve respect and mutual understanding and cooperation between people of different religions
• Leads to common service within the community

Question 25

What interfaith dialogue does (x4)

Answer 25

• Informs faith communities
• Responds to growing secularism
• Addresses community issues and concerns
• Engage adherents of differing religions in common projects

Question 26

Examples of interfaith dialogue (Religions for Peace NSW) (x3)

Answer 26

• Work for interreligious peace and harmony and social cohesion
• Organise events and meetings of religious leaders
• Create partnerships and encourage interfaith activity.

Question 27

Reconciliation - Aboriginal spiritualities (x2)

Answer 27

• Refers to acknowledgement of injustices done to Indigenous Australians and the dispossession that occurred
• Expresses willingness and commitment to rectify wrongs and improve position of Aboriginal Australians in the future

Question 28

Reconciliation - Christianity

Answer 28

• NCCA raise funds and provide grants to Indigenous communities through their ATSI Development Fund. These grants are used for community projects, often focused on education and health
• Destiny Together is a Uniting Church initiative held every year, week of prayer and fasting, forums run to raise awareness about the issues faced, encouraging action.

Question 29

Reconciliation - Islam (x3)

Answer 29

• Islam has had a long history of interaction with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, reaching back to the time of the Maccassan traders from Indonesia on the Arafura sea
• Muslim leaders have been vocal in their support of the land rights movement, particularly the Native Title Act
• Over 1000 indigenous Australians are now followers of Islam

Question 30

NCCA work/initatives (Australian Churches Covenating Together)

Answer 30

In 2004, the NCCA created a document - Australian Churches Covenanting Together- which contained parts and dimension and churches did not have to sign the entire document but could sign into sections

Question 31

Examples of interfaith dialogue (Australian Council of Christians and Jews) (x4)

Answer 31

• Originated in Melbourne 1985
• It is a forum for dialogue with a strong focus on education.
• It’s annual calendar includes the ‘kristallnacht commemoration’ held in November each year in memory of the night in 1938 when violence broke out against Jews across Germany.
• Education courses run by the council include ‘encountering other faiths’.