The Religious Landscape from 1945-Present

Syllabus Notes:
The Religious Landscape from 1945 to the present in relation to:
Changing patterns of religious adherence:
Christianity:

Church of England (Anglican) decreased from 39% of population in 1947 to 18% in 2006

Catholicism has risen from 20% in 1947 to 25% in 2006

Christianity has decreased, yet remains most popular religion in Australia (64% Christian)

Traditional Churches (Presbyterian, Congregational, Methodist) experienced downturn losing

15% since 1996
Newer Pentecostal Church had 25% increase since 1996 but also the largest numbers of

switchers in and out of the faith

Baptist, Catholic, Orthodox Churches had significant increases of up to 8% since 1996

Other Religions:

Other Religions increased from 0.5% of population in 1947 to 5.6% in 2006

Large, rapid growth in other mainstream religions

Buddhism (2.1%)

Hinduism (0.7%)

Islam (1.7%)

Judaism (0.4%)

Hinduism grew fastest, closely followed by Buddhism and Islam and lastly, Judaism

Traditional Aboriginal religion decreased losing 30% of practitioners between 1996 and 2001
No religion:

In 1947, 0.3% of the population identified themselves as having no religion, lasting until 1971
when it rose to 6.7% suddenly

Today, 26% of population identify themselves as having no religion

Not stated/ inadequately described 11.1% in 1947 stayed nearly the same at 11.7% in
1996, and today, 11.2% despite population doubling since 1947

The Current Religious Landscape:

Christianity as the Major Religion:
Still main religion in Australia (63% of population) due to historical factors

First fleet arrival brought majority of Anglican settlers as well as Presbyterians and
Methodists. Only 10% were Catholic

Post first fleet settlers were predominately Anglican making population almost exclusively
Christian

Immigration Restriction Act (1901) allowed European immigrants only, bringing majority of
Christian adherents ensuring the demographic stay the same for at least 50 years

Effects of Migration:

After WW1, further migration from Europe encouraged more Christian adherence

After WW2, other European nations encouraged to migrate to Australia (e.g. Greece) and
brought other Christian denominations to Australia such as Eastern Orthodox (e.g. Greek
Orthodox)
With the relaxation of the White Australia policy in the 1950s and its abolition in 1973,

Australia has seen increasing diversity of faiths, however most remain British and therefore
Christian
Significant Trends:

Christianity decreased due to introduction of other mainstream religions due to migration

Large, traditional Christian churches such as Anglican and Uniting Church have lost large
members due to ageing population and low birth rate, switching and movement to no religion
(no religion has become more widely accepted in society)

Smaller, traditional Christian churches such as Pentecost and Baptist are steadily increasing

Catholic remains steady due to immigration

Eastern Orthodox members are rising due to immigration and it is these Churches which
have a young profile

Immigration:
Post-War Immigration:
Number of people fleeing countries and immigrating to Australia after WW2 changed the

Christian adherence in Australia

Assisted Passage Scheme implemented to encourage British migration to Australia to

increase population, and was then spread to other Eastern European countries

Increased Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox

More communities, churches, schools and other social fixtures had to be built for the
increase of new religious adherents

1970s and Vietnam War:

Prior to the 1970s, the main religious adherents were Christian

Abolition of White Australia policy in 1973 saw Australia become a multicultural society who
accepted many different religious adherents
Vietnam War displaced more than 2 million Indo-Chinese people, 120000 came to Australia

for refuge

Large increase in Buddhism and Hinduism (Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand)

Increase in Roman Catholics

Islam in Australia:

Islam was first introduced to Australia in 1882 when thousands of camel drivers from
Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Middle East came to Australia to work on telegraph lines and
railways Immigration Restriction Act did not allow them to become citizens

Significant members started to arrive with Lebanese Muslims fleeing civil war

Diverse religion, expanding from 60 different countries of both Sunni and Shia

Denominational Switching:

Means switching from one sector/denomination of a particular Church to another

Contrasts to historic patterns where families remained with the one denomination for many
generations

Significance of lifetime loyalty to one particular church diminished due to growing

individualism within lives

Those that switch are trying to find a deeper connection to their faith, and may have to do so
in another Christian denomination

Denominational switching only occurs within Christianity, and usually only happens within
Protestant churches not usually Christian (mainly because within the tradition of the catholic
church, it is not normal to switch religions and being catholic forms out identity, culture and
ideas)

Changes may also occur due to what suits their needs at that stage in their life

Switching:

Christians are more likely to switch denominations than any other religious faith as they
move to explore and seek stronger Christian faiths, rejecting light God churches

Trends show a sway to more conservative churches throughout the Western world due to
sense of exclusivity that these churches provide greater demands on members and stronger
commitment required (e.g. Pentecostal church)

Rise of New Age Religion:

Differ from traditional churches as they lack any single unifying creed or doctrine (no Holy text,
no central organisation, no formal leadership)
New Age religions were the fastest growing religious faiths in 2001 census, increasing by
140% since 1996
The rise to prominence of New Age Religions has been attributed to a general dissatisfaction
with traditional religious groups
Characterised by the adoption of Eastern Religions and rejection of traditional Western views
(Fen Shui, yoga, Tai Chi, Astrology, Tarot Cards, Numerology)
Favours in creation-centred spirituality
History:

New Age practices became popular from 1960s to 1970s as a reaction to the failure of
Christianity and Secular Humanism to provide spiritual and ethical guidance for the future

Basic Beliefs:

Monism all that exists is derived from single source of divine energy

Pantheism all that exists is God; God found within self through entire universe

Reincarnation after death, reborn to live a new life as a different human being

Karma good or bad deeds we do throughout life accumulate to determine if we are

rewarded or punished in our next life

Aura energy field surrounding the body which determines individuals state of mind or
physical health

Universal religion God is perceived as the mountain which all religions seek to reach,
there are many different paths to reach Him

Age of Aquarius notion that Earth moved into the planetary constellation of Aquarius in the
nineteenth century which caused the gradual ushering in of a new world order which banishes
war, disease, pollution, racism, poverty

New Age practices:

Meditation, astrology, divination, holistic health (acupuncture, message), crystals,

channelling the dead

Reasons for growth in popularity:

Disillusionment with Government by many after Vietnam War led to further questioning of
traditional authority structures such as the church Christianity was seen as failing to provide
spiritual or ethical guidance

Media began to release stories of Catholic church clergymen involved in acts of sexual

abuse
People currently seeking spiritual insight/understanding as a reaction to the unsettled and

turbulent nature of the times we live in

New Age Religion itself says popularity is a result of the Age of Aquarius and the coming of

the utopian world

Secularism:
The stance of stating No religious affiliation or people who have inadequately described

or not stated their religious belief

Secularism is to be free from religion or spirituality

Secular systems are based on reason, fact and scientific analysis and therefore differ
from religious systems which are based on divine light and spirituality
Secularists believe policies and decisions made by governments should be completely

separate from religious influence which they believe has the right to jeopardise the freedom
and rights of citizens
Secularism and the individual:
1960s and 1970s saw nearly all Australians being affiliated with a religious denomination

and Sunday Church was seen as an integral component of life

Today however, there is less emphasis on conforming and more emphasis of the autonomy

of the individual for freedom and rights secularism has become more widely accepted in
society

Increased freedom has seen increase in secularism

Religion now viewed as a personal and private decision

Religious Dialogue in Multi-faith Australia:

Ecumenism
Ecumenism: coming together of all churches.
Movement towards Christian unity (various denominations engage in initiative together,
understanding that they share the same core beliefs)
Christian churches today recognise that they have so much more in common sectarianism is
a thing of the past.
Local Christian groups, comprising of any denominations often meet for social, outreach or
bible study purposes. Carols by candlelight often organised by local ecumenical groups.
The Festival of Light is an example of people/ organisers from across denominations coming
together to support traditional family values and oppose abortion and homosexual law reform.

 There are many organisations that are proof of the ecumenical movement (e.g. The world
Council of Churches founded in 1948. it has a fellowship of 336 churches in 120 countries
which promote world-wide Christian unity).
This council seeks reconciliation and theological dialogue amongst the churches. They meet
every 7 years.
The Uniting Church- first sign of Ecumenism in Australia and Vatican 2 stated that Catholics
should engage in dialogue with other Christians.
Further e.g. of ecumenism in Aust. The Council of Christian Education- gives Christian service
and pastoral care in Victorian schools. Formed in 194. In NSW a similar ecumenical service is
called the Inter-church commission for religious education in state schools.
1. National Council of Churches Australia (NCCA)
Formed in 1944
Aimed to bring together all Australia churches in dialogue and practical co-operation
Currently has 15 churches as members (e.g. Anglican, Catholic, Salvation Army)
2. Uniting Church (1977)
Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregationalist all form this church. The effect of this can be
seen in the census data where numbers for these churches drop off the census
Attempt to gain adherents
3. NSW Ecumenical Council (1946))
Instrument to celebrate unity
Impact of Christian ecumenical movements in Australia
Creates unity among Christian Denominations.
Church is more peaceful
United in Christianity
Inner Peace = better chance of achieving outer peace and justice
Better effort at seeking justice (combined effort rather than lots of denominations doing the
same thing)
Encourages interfaith dialogue
At the highest level, there are joint commissions: Formal ecumenical bodies that work to find
official agreement on issues.

Interfaith Dialogue
Interfaith dialogue refers to cooperative and positive interaction between people of different
religious traditions and spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at both the individual and institutional level

with the aim of deriving a common ground in belief through a concentration on similarities
between faiths, understanding of values, and commitment to the world.

Problems may arise in the challenges between the beliefs of different traditions
Aims to stop clashes, and promotes peace and understanding
Conversations between different faiths
Aim to achieve ethnic and religious harmony
Meet for special occasion (e.g. prayer)
Sets up framework for religious leaders to make significant contributions to ethnic and world

harmony
The process of interfaith dialogue in multi-faith Australia is based around a number or
organizations including The Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims, and Jews,
whose purpose is to provide opportunity for the national bodies of each faith to come together
to build understanding and harmony in the Australian context. Their objectives include being a
model of how different faiths can live harmoniously in Australia. Meetings include discussion
about how faiths can work together. The National Council of Churches and the Australian
Federation of Islamic, and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry councils are three
organisations that assist interfaith dialogue.
The topics of interfaith dialogue impact on everyday Australians whether they are part of the
religions or not. Examples of important topics discussed include fundamentalist Islam and the
idea of Jihad, Conflict between Jews and Muslims in the world.
Interfaith dialogue in Australia keeps peaceful relations between the various major religions in
Australia. It creates understanding, goodwill and a sense of community between people of
different backgrounds, religions and cultures.
Examples:

1960 Vatican II: Declare doctrine Nostra Aetate that Catholic Church begin dialogue with
Jewish faith
2009 Parliament of World Religions in Melbourne
9/11: Dialogue of Christians, Jews and Muslims
2013 Womans interfaith network (set up by Jewish faith to bring all of Religions together in
prayer)
Importance of interfaith dialogue in multi-faith Australia
Through ecumenism or interfaith dialogue all involved are committed to a future of growing
together and through understanding and tolerance working through differences so to create a
harmonious religious society within Australia
Interfaith Dialogue is co-operation between people of different religious traditions.

 For example: The World Council of Churches, with which the National Council of Churches in
Australia is affiliated, has vigorously promoted inter-faith dialogue and has recently organised
dialogues between Christians and Hindus (on religious extremism in India); Christians and
Muslims (on human rights); Christians, Jews and Muslims (on Jerusalem); and Christians and
Buddhists.