Religion in Australia Post-1945

dispossession

the action of depriving someone of land, property, or other possessions.

dreaming

a metatemporal concept that refers to Aboriginal beliefs about creation and existence, including stories of ancestor spirits which establish rules governing relationships between people, land and everything else.

native title

the rights which Aboriginal people have to land recognised by the Australian legal system

Christianity in the 2021 census

43.9%, down from 52.1% in 2016

The largest Christian denominations in Australia, in descending order

Catholic (20%), Anglican (9.8%), Uniting Church (2.7%)

‘No religion’ in the 2021 census

38.9%, up from 30.1% in 2016

Islam in the 2021 census

3.2%, up from 2.6% in 2016

Hinduism in the 2021 census

2.7%, up from 1.9% in 2016

Buddhism in the 2021 census

2.4%, same as 2016

Reasons for shifting religious landscape

immigration, denominational switching, rise of new age religions, secularism

institutionalised, e.g. calendar/holidays, religious schools, colonisation

Christianity as the major religious tradition

immigration

christians after ww2 under white australia policy, WAP ended in 1973 and brought more islam, buddhism, and hinduism

denominational switching

moving away from sectarianism removes denominational loyalty,most likely to switch from one pentecostal denomination to another

rise of new age religions

society questions traditional authority, traditional religions are not seen as meeting society’s needs

secularism

society and government should be free from religious influences, suspicious of institutionalised religions, not relevant to modern society, individual rights are more important than conforming to faith, science can answer all questions

ecumenism

principal or aim of promoting unity amongst Christian churches, opposite of sectarianism. work towards fixing social justice issues

uniting church

example of ecumenism; all methodists, 65% of presbyterians, 95% of congregationalists united to form UCA to ‘bear witness to the unity of faith and life in Christ, rising above’

National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA)

example of ecumenism; formed in 1994 between anglicans, protestants, catholics, and orthodox to express the unity desired by christ, seeks to strengthen unity by working praying etc together, promotes collaboration on social justice issues via international aid organisation ‘Aid for Peace’ (injustice and poverty)

NSW Ecumenical Council

example of ecumenism; formed in 1982, consisting of 16 NSW and ACT churches. seeks to allow churches to reflect on theology in a united way. does local and educational initiatives to encourage ecumenism.

interfaith dialogue

formal discussion to develop understanding between religious traditions, not an attempt to unify them. helps different affiliations to stand on uncertain issues and recognise common ground.

Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations (CMR)

example of interfaith dialogue; est 1997, aims to foster relations and address misconceptions

NSW Council of Christians and Jews

example of interfaith dialogue; est 1989, annual passover demonstration to educate non-jews, holocaust commemoration annually at St Mary’s Cathedral

importance of interfaith dialogue

allows for greater respect, understanding, and appreciation of religious diversity which is essential for harmony and peace. important after conflicts, e.g. terrorist attacks. allows for a united voice on key issues. promotes unity and strengths in the face of growing secularism.

reconciliation

the process by which ATSI can heal from the past and move towards a better future based on mutual respect and understanding. it means acknowledging past injustices and helping recover Aboriginal spiritualities

catholicism and reconciliation

celebrates national reconciliation week, Caritas (catholic aid organisation) works with many Indigenous Australians to deal with ongoing trauma.

anglicanism and reconciliation

Anglicare and The Anglican Board of Missionaries formed the Anglican Reconciliation Working Group which provides accomodation, family support, etc, in rural areas

judaism and reconciliation

in 2006, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry implemented their ‘Reconciliation Action Plan’

buddhism and reconciliation

recognises the interconnectedness of all beings, therefore values and encourages reconciliation

effects of dispossession

removal from families and traditional lands, poor assimilation policies that aimed to deal with the ‘Aboriginal problem’, huge reduction in the population of Aboriginal Australians.

continuing effects of dispossession

lower life expectancy, higher rates of infant mortality, over-representation in prisons, higher unemployment rates, higher substance abuse rates, higher use of government services and welfare.

mabo decision

overturned terra nullius. any land which the government had sold or given away was not able to be claimed. high court passed The Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

wik decision

high court decided native title and pastoral leases could co-exist, in conflict, the pastoralists would override.