Religion in Australia - Pre 1945

Anti-Semitism

Jewish opposition and persecution.

Emancipists

Ex-convicts who had served their term.

Ethos

The characteristic spirit of a culture, era, or community as manifested in its attitudes and aspirations.

Lay People

People who are not members of the clergy (ordained priesthood).

Sabbatarianism

A view within Christianity that advocates the observation of the Sabbath, in keeping with the Ten Commandments.

Sectarianism

A form of discriminatory behaviour directed towards a particular group or presumed members of a group within society.

Secularisation

Diminishment of religion from society or social institutions, not connected to religious matters.

Temperance Movement

Christian movement advocating abstinence from alcohol and adherence to moral rules.

Wowserism

Preservation of moral standards by depriving people of 'sinful' pleasures.

First Fleet (1788)

Arrival of English soldiers and convicts, primarily Church of England, with some Irish Catholics.

First Presbyterian Church Service (1795)

The first service held for Presbyterians in Australia.

First Catholic Mass (1803)

Authorized by Fr. James Dixon for the Catholic community in the colony.

John Joseph Therry (1820)

First priest allowed to minister to the Catholic community in 32 years.

Bishop Bede Bolding (1835)

First Catholic Bishop in Australia.

Jewish Arrival (1788)

First Jews arrived in Australia as convicts on the First Fleet.

First Minyan (1817)

Formation of a quorum of 10 Jewish men, marking the start of a Jewish community in NSW.

First Jewish Synagogue (1830s)

Established in the home of Phillip Joseph Cohen.

First Islamic Mosque (1882)

Built in Maree, South Australia.

Immigration Restriction Act (1901)

Decreased the number of Muslims living in Australia due to restrictions on future migrants.

Sectarian Rivalry

Bitter competition between Church of England and Catholics in Australia pre-1945.

Church Act (1836)

Provided subsidies to all denominations, favoring the Church of England.

Public Instruction Act (1880)

Established free, compulsory, and secular education, ending state aid for denominational schools.

Temperance Movements

Organized efforts to promote abstinence from alcohol, primarily by Evangelical groups.

Women's Christian Temperance Union

Formed in 1881 to cease alcohol consumption.

Social Purity Society

Aimed to improve Sunday observance and stop alcohol consumption and sexual exploitation.

Independent Order of Rechabites

A fraternal organization promoting total abstinence from alcohol.