Religious Landscape Flashcards
Syllabus: Account for the present religious landscape in relation to: - Christianity as a Major religious Tradition - Immigration - Denomination Switching - Rise of the New Age Religions - Secularism
What is a religious Landscape?
A term used to describe a religious demographic in a particular region (Australia in this case)
Why is Christianity the major religious tradition in Australia?
Resulting from European Settlement in the 1700’s - Chritianity became the ‘established’ religion for the nation
other religions were present in Australia due to other forms of settlement
How did Immigration change the religious landscape?
- As a result of WWI, WWII and the lifting of the white Australia policy, Australia became more religiously diverse.
- After WWII variance within catholicism became common (countries like italy, malta, etc.)
- After the end of the white australia policy. a significant increase in Buddhiam, Muslim and Hinduism was apparent
Why was denomination switching popular?
- seeking more age appropriate religious experiences
- newcomers re-joining after years of absence
- birth of children - returning to religion
- decreasing / ceasing attendance (those wishing to seek a more thriving community)
Why was there a rise in New Age Religions
They place emphasis on
- individualism
- freedom of expression
- healing + inner peace
What are some new age Religion Practices?
- Crystal healing
- tarot
- feng shui
- meditation
What is secularism?
the belief that religion has a place in the individual and communal experience but that should be strictly separate from government + education
