Religion in Australia 1945 to Now

1788- First Fleet: majority Christian 1830- 1980- Assisted passage scheme (Australian colonies paid fare for British migrants to come to Australia 1901- Immigration Restriction Act (White Australian Policy) 1945- WWII ends. Europe is devastated 1947- Australia agrees to receive 12000 displaced persons per year from war torn Europe. Some were Jewish but most were Christian. The increase immigration saw an increase in minority Orthodox and Roman Catholics. 1960s-1970s- Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and other Protestant Christians groups reach significant numbers. 1966- Relaxation of the White Australian policy allowed greater immigration. The policy came to a legal end in 1973. 1975-1984 90000 refugees settle mainly from Vietnam, while many were Buddhist many were also Christian 1977- Uniting Church in Australia (UCA) is formed. The Methodist Church of Australasia, Presbyterian Church of Australia, and Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union. 1980s Pentecostal and charismatic movements (focus on the Holy Spirit) reach significant numbers. Multiculturalism is adopted expanding immigration. Muslims from war areas in Europe migrate to Australia. Today- people of various religious beliefs live relatively peacefully in Australia. There are now Halal meat shops, temples, mosques, Jewish schools etc. For expatriates religion usually increases in importance after their arrival. They tend to settle in the city in which they land so there is a greater diversity of religions in the major cities. Immigration has seen an increase in both religious pluralism and diversity. With the relaxation of the White Australian Policy there was an increase in religious diversity, but as most immigrants until the 1990s came from Britain, they were therefore mostly Christian. Post WWII era saw an increase in religious pluralism (different denominations of the one religion). The end of the Vietnam war and the adoption of a policy of multiculturalism in the 1980s saw religious diversity (different religions in the one area/country). A significant trend to note is the decline of traditional Christianity such as Anglican and the increase of less-traditional Christian churches and non religion. The decline in traditional Christian groups has been put down to an aging population, low birth rate, denominational switching and the rise of No religion. It is important to note that Catholic has remained steady due to immigration and Eastern Orthodox numbers are rising also due to immigration and a young congregation. The disenchantment of the 1960s and its political and cultural turmoil saw an increase on New Age Spirituality and no religion called secularism. Also in recent times with greater political and social acceptance and freedom there has been a resurgence in indigenous spirituality. A more recent phenomenon is Denominational switching. In the past people tended to remain with the denomination that their parents had baptised them, however in more recent times denominational switching has become more common. Many people, especially young people, find their denomination boring or out of touch and switch to a more exciting

and engaging denomination. This has lead to an increase in Pentecostalism. Revivals and crusades also led to denominational switching. Also the breakdown of the traditional family structure has led to denominational switching. Children of divorced parents have been found to be more likely to switch denominations. Also with multiculturalism, when two people marry from two different denominations this usually results in one choosing to switch to the others denomination. Questions 1) Give three reasons why Australia is still predominately Christian today 2) Explain the difference between religious pluralism and diversity 3) List three significant events that changed the religious landscape of Australia. 4) Look at the table bellow which shows the results from the 2001 and 2006 census. Discuss the results for Christian, Non- Christian and No Religion. 5) Which religious group has seen the greatest increase? Which religious group has seen the greatest decrease?

Top Religious Affiliation in Australia, 2001-2006 2006 Number % 2001 Number % % % chang change e (absolu (relati te) ve) -0.8 -2.0 -1.0 -0.4 -0.1 0 0 +0.1 +0.1 0 -4.1 +0.2 +0.2 +0.2 0 +0.7 +3.2 +2.5 -4.2 -9.1 -6.4 +2.8 +2.4 +0.3 +12.9 +9.0 +12.6 -0.6 +17.0 +20.9 +55.2 +5.8 +162.9 +27.5

- Roman Catholic - Anglican - Uniting Church in Australia - Presbyterian and Reformed - Orthodox - Baptist - Lutheran - Pentecostal - Other Protestant - Oriental Orthodox Total Christian - Buddhist - Muslim - Hindu - Jewish - Other Religions - No Religions - Not stated/inadequately described Total Population

5,126,88 5,001,62 25.8 26.6 4 4 3,718,24 3,881,16 18.7 20.7 1 2 1,135,41 7 596,672 544,161 316,744 251,107 219,687 736,012 40,904 5.7 1,248,67 4 6.7 3.4 2.8 1.6 1.3 1.0 3.6 0.2

3.0 637,530 2.7 529,444 1.6 309,205 1.3 250,365 1.1 194,592 3.7 675,422 0.2 36,324

12,685, 63. 12,764, 68. 829 9 342 0 418,749 340,394 148,130 88,832 2.1 357,813 1.7 281,578 0.7 0.4 95,473 83,993 92,369 1.9 1.5 0.5 0.4 0.5

242,847 1.2

3,706,5 18. 2,905,9 15. 50 7 93 5 2,223,9 11. 2,187,6 11. 57 2 88 7 19,855, 100 18,769, 100 288 .0 249 .0

-0.5

+1.7

+5.8

What is New Age religions? The counterculture movement of the 1960s saw a return-to-earth philosophy and the 1970s saw the rise of various New Age groups which raised concern at first. Overtime these alternative spiritualities (postChristian) have become accepted into mainstream and at times are seen as an accompaniment to Christianity. These New Age religions differ from traditional religions in that they do not have a sacred text, central organisation, creed or formal clergy. Some of the more well known New Age groups from the 70s include; Hare Krishnas, Moonies, Children of God and Scientology. Match the following New Age basic beliefs. Monism Pantheism God is to be found within the self and throughout the entire universe The good and the bad deeds that we do add or subtract from our accumulated record The notion that the Earth moved into the planetary constellation of Aquarius in the nineteenth century. Effects include a new world order that will see the banishment of wars, disease, hunger, pollution etc. Everything comes from a single source of divine energy, the universe of universal love After death, we are reborn and live another life as a human Mother Earth is to be respected There are many paths but they all lead to the top An energy field or aura, radiated by the human body, can be used to diagnose an individuals state of being

Reincarnation

Karma

Auras universal religion ecological responsibility Age of Aquarius

Match the New Age Practices channeling

Releasing oneself from conscious thinking Tarot cards and other devises to foresee the future Promoting balance between the mind, body and spirit. Usually using methods of acupuncture, homeopathy and kinesiology

crystals meditation

divination astrology holistic health

Making contact with the deceased Healing energy in rocks Foretelling the future and personalities by the positioning of the stars, sun, moon and planets

Secularism Many people describe themselves as having No religion. After WWII this group made up 0.3 percent of the population. By 1966 it had reached 0.8 but by 1976 it was 8.3 %. At the end of 1996 it had doubled and by 2006 it had reached 18.7% of the population. This trend has occurred simultaneously with the drop in the number of people claiming membership to traditional, established churches. Secularism means being free from religion or spirituality. Secular systems are based on reason, fact and science. As it is a key feature of democracy it champions the idea of freedom of religion/freedom from religion. Secularists promote the separation of state and church. Secularism has increased in popularity in the past 60 years because: a) Resurgence of rationalist ideals b) War weariness c) Civil rights movement in USA d) Feminism e) Suspicion of patriarchal authority f) Rise of individualism and the viewing of religious views as private. In 1960 the Australian Humanist Society was formed In 1973 the right to be married by a civil celebrant instead of a member of clergy was made possible; in 2007 63% of marriages were conducted by a civil celebrant. Look at the table below: 1) Explain 3 differences between secular humanism and Christianity 2) Identify 3 similarities between secular humanism and Christianity