Changing patterns in religious adherence

- General decline in three Major Christian denominations: catholic,

Anglican, uniting church (81.2% 1947 > 56.9% 2001)
- Decrease in total Christians: 88% 1947 > 68% 2001)
- Increase in traditions other than Christianity: Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism
are the fastest growing traditions in Australia (eg. Buddhism: <1% 1947
1.9% 2001)
- Citizens are becoming increasingly involved in religion to seek answers,
whilst others are acknowledging no religion (secularism) and prefer to
focus on features of spirituality (eg. 0.3% 1947 >15.5% 2001)
- More people identify with religion, rather than attend (eg. 5% of
Anglicans attend church weekly)
- Churches have a greater proportion of those 50+ (overall church
attendance increases with age)
- Increase in no religion stated in census indicates increased levels of
acceptance of secularism in Australia and that people are turning away
from religion and other spiritual resources. General reasons for this
decrease in the National Council Life Survey 1998 = 42% church is boring
or unfulfilling, 35% disagree with the churchs beliefs or believe there is
no need to go to church. These reasons, overall, support the concept of
individuality and following ones personal ideas rather than those of a
group or organisation
- QUOTE: In a secularising world, art has replaced religion as a touchstone
of our reverence and devotion -Alain de Botton

The current religious landscape
Christianity as a major religious tradition:
- White Australia Policy from the Immigration Act 1901 effectively kept out
religious traditions other than Christianity until 1973
- significant decline in the number of Christians regularly attending
religious services, especially in the Anglican, Uniting Church and
Presbyterian denominations, can be attributed to the aging population,
the lack of migrant intake and the general dissatisfaction with some
aspects of the church (sexual assaults)
- Roman Catholics are continuing to increase numerically, though not at
the rate of the population because of its younger membership and
substantial migrant intake.
- significant increases in the Pentecostal (eg. Hillsong) figures can be
attributed to factors such as the lively nature of its worship, its emphasis
on contemporary music, the strong sense of community and spiritual
support it provides, the charismatic leaders which lead the congregation
and the clear cut answers it provides for times of uncertainty. These
churches have a strong emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit (speaking
in tongues, healing, prophecy etc).
- QUOTE: Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the
problems men face - Ronald Reagan

Immigration
- Definition: the action of coming to live permanently in a foreign country
- Changed Australia from being mono-cultural, mono-faith to multi-
cultural, multi-faith (increasing diversity)
- Christianity is no longer divided among ethnic lines (eg. Asian decent not
always Buddhist and English decent not always Christian)
- Overseas wars and persecution have led to waves of immigration from
affected areas (eg. after the Vietnam war, between 1976 and 1981, there
were 2059 Vietnamese boat arrivals)
- After WWII, the government actively sought immigration in the belief that
the nations security and economic prosperity was dependent upon a
significant increase in the Australian population. Therefore, the
government assisted passage to migrants (enticement) Since 1945,
almost 5.5 million people have come to Australia from 170 countries
(Trevor Batrouney). It really has been the defining characteristic of
Australian society (Jock Collins)
- After the ending of the White Australian policy in 1973, migration
developed from a larger range of countries bringing a wider range of
religions
- Examples:
Buddhists = Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia
Muslims =Iran, Iraq
Catholics = Italy, Malta
Orthodox Christians = Greece, Eastern Europe
- People across Australia are today celebrating the multi-cultural diversity
of the country that attracts people from all over the world to work and
live down under (Ray Clancy).

Denominational switching
- Definition: phenomena of swapping between denominations or groups of
the same religious tradition
- The vast majority of people affiliated with religious groups in Australia
were born into that religion.
- The most common denominational switching group is Pentecostals, which
often go through what is known as 'revolving door syndrome'. Many
leave again after about 2 years.
- People no longer remain in a particular denomination simply because
their parents/grandparents belonged to it or because they share the
same ethnic background with other church members
- With the contemporary ethos of individualism, people focus on their
personal needs rather than the needs of their traditional communities

Rise of New Age religions
- Definition: refers to a range of alternative religious groups that people
are attracted to (a spiritual movement but without any organisational
restrictions or dogmas)
- New age religions increased by 71% between 1996-2006
- 25% of new age practitioners believe in a concept of god which differs
from mainstream religious thought
- Census figures show a considerable level of dissatisfaction with traditional
religious groups (eg. sexual assaults) and a strong and growing longing
for a spiritual dimension to life, and individual fulfillment in the form of
personal happiness, health and meaning in life
- Some practices claim to be a supernatural means of curing sickness,
predicting the future or gaining personal wealth
- Examples:
Numerology: belief that certain numbers and patterns of numbers
hold the key to understanding human existence
Astrology: reading of the stars in conjunction with the time of
birth to predict individual traits and anticipate future events
(horoscope)
Yoga and tai chi: gentle exercise, meditation and relaxation which
is believed to lead to a healthier more peaceful life
- QUOTE: For me, yoga is not just a workout its about working on
yourself - Mary Glover

Secularism
- Definition: the belief that religion should not interfere with or be
integrated into the public affairs of a society (belief that human ethics
and the universe should be understood without reference to religion or
the supernatural, and that religion should not interfere with the political
running of the state)
- Major reasons for secularism include: increasing pluralism (diversity of
beliefs and cultures), individualism, materialism (spirituality ignored in
favour of possessions, looks, power, fame), disillusionment with
mainstream religions and skepticism towards the supernatural
- This trend is evident in the significant increase in the number of people
responding "No religion" in the census (eg. 0.3% 1947 > 15.5% 2001) and
is particularly pronounced in younger generations
- Increasing secularism figures reveal that it has become increasingly
acceptable in contemporary Australian society to have no religious
affiliation
- QUOTE: There is no evidence for a god and no need for a god. We can
live happy, moral, productive lives without such belief, and we can do it
better - Dan Barker

Ecumenical movements within Christianity
- Definition: the movement towards religious unity amongst Christian
denominations.
- Increasing ecumenisms and interfaith dialogue amongst religious
traditions illustrate Australias desire to engage with each other and the
world (Cooperation on social/political issues and in times of crisis or
tragedy)
- It provides opportunities for Christian adherents, faced with growing
globalisation and changes in social values and attitudes, to discuss issues
of peace and injustice, increase understanding and work together to
effect social change in a way that is perceived to be more relevant and
contemporary
- These movements assist adherents to move beyond simply living out
their own particular beliefs and combine with others of like but different
viewpoints to work towards the betterment of society in general
- Examples:
1977: Formation of the Uniting Church through merging three
existing Churches (Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational)
1969: Formation of Anglican Roman Catholic International
Commission (ARCIC), which has held discussions on Baptism,
Eucharist, Ministry, Authority and Mary
Christian denominations cooperate on social justice issues and
during times of crisis (eg. 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in Indonesia)
National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA): formed in 1994.
Aims to deepen the relationship of member churches in order to
express more visibly the unity willed by Christ and encourage
Christian churches to work, pray and grow together. It comprises
of 19 member churches
1982: NSW Ecumenical council was formed. Comprised of 16
churches throughout NSW and ACT and encourages ecumenical
movements through education, reflection, initiatives and
addressing social justice issues

Interfaith dialogue
- Definition: a movement aimed towards promoting understanding
between different religious traditions (has become increasingly important
due to increased diversity in Australia)
- Encourages a respect of the diversity of beliefs and allows different
religions to come to a better understanding and appreciation of the
uniqueness of each other. Also works towards breaking down the
stereotypes and prejudice towards religions (eg. Muslims) and
emphasizing the importance of faith overall to the community (eg.
secularists)
- Example:
A fundamental element throughout all world religions is the
dignity of the human person and the sanctity of human life
Religious groups provided support through inter-faith memorials
in response to tragedies such as the Boxing Day Tsunami and the
Bali Bombings.
Cooperation on social justice issues such as indigenous rights,
opposition to GST, unemployment, poverty, land mines, nuclear
testing and asylum seekers.
1997: Columbian Centre for Christian-Muslim relations aims to
address misconceptions and stereotypes, foster relationships and
increase understanding

Ecumenical movements and interfaith dialogue both provide opportunities for
faith to be more transparent to the non-religious sector of Australian society
(secularists)

Aboriginal spiritualties
- Aboriginal spiritualties are largely misunderstood and underestimated
within the wider Australian community due to its complexity. However,
aboriginals are an important connection with Australias past and the
cultural heritage of the land
- Aboriginal people believe they are related to the natural world and this
relationship provides advantages of survival and life and imposes the
responsibilities of preservation and education
- In the substance of the land, aboriginal people see all evidence of the
Dreaming Creation process, that is, the creation and their connection to
the land (eg. the rainbow serpent is a large snake-like figure which left a
track on the earth and is associated with watercourses.) Dreaming stories
also contain a wealth of information including how to hunt and gather
food and how to make tools, thus, the stories of their ancestors and the
creation of the land.
- Aboriginal artwork, songs, dances and ceremonies are all placed within
the context of the natural environment and use natural objects obtained
from the earth
- Aboriginals inherit ceremonial and territorial rights and responsibilities
(men and women business) through their kinship system (relationships
which are biological eg. Yothu Yindi: meaning mother and child - and
non-biological) and totems. Through kinship, they also learn the basic
social interactions between various tribes (ie. obligations, rights and
appropriate forms of behaviour and interaction with others)
- LRT: ceremonies still performed today in inland parts of Australia, such as
near Uluru in the Northern Territory, include rites of passage which
inform all of the new status of the individual (eg. initiations and funerals)

QUOTES:
- Those who lose dreaming are lost - Aboriginal Proverb
- Aboriginal people are a steady beating heart at the centre of our
Australian spiritual identity - Caroline Jones
- It is a long road we have come and it's a long road we can go. We have
to walk together and talk together. If you never listen to me, I will never
listen to you. I will not follow you. Walk side by side and let's get there -
Conrad Ratara
- If Australia is The Lucky Country, the Aborigines must be the unluckiest
people in the world - Frank Hardy

The continuing effect of dispossession on Aboriginal spiritualities
- Some of the negative consequences of dispossession are observable in
society and include: lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality,
overrepresentation in prison, educational disadvantages, higher
unemployment rates and higher drug and alcohol abuse
- The loss of land amounts to a loss of identity and belonging to life as a
result of not being able to fulfil ritual responsibilities (totemic) and,
therefore, feeling as though they have no purpose
- The loss of language has made it impossible to pass on beliefs in an
authentic way
- The protection policies saw large number of children separated from their
families. Often they were relocated considerable distances from their
traditional lands. This separation of families has destroyed the kinship
system and has led to a loss of identity, a loss of their place / spirituality
in life, as well as a loss of purpose to ones daily actions since through
kinship ATSIs are taught what is accepted or taboo within their spirituality
(eg. The Stolen Generations - The term Stolen Generation refers to the
Aboriginal children who were removed from their homes between 1900
and 1972 by the Government and church missionaries in an attempt to
assimilate these children into European society.)
- The breaking up of families and removal from traditional lands had
enormous detrimental impacts on the maintenance of traditional beliefs.

Importance of land rights in relation to Aboriginal spirituality
- Land rights are of critical importance in relation to Aboriginal spirituality,
because the Dreaming is inextricably connected with the land.
- The land is the resting place for ancestral spirit beings.
- Each Aboriginal is connected with the land through their totem.
- Specific areas have important spiritual meaning for particular groups of
Aboriginal people - these are known as sacred sites.
- There are special responsibilities attached to sacred sites such as
ceremonies etc.
- The identity of an Aboriginal person is inextricably linked to the land and
hence the land is like a mother for the people.

Native Title
- The beginnings of the modern land rights movement is usually attributed
to the Wave Hill Mob who went on strike for better conditions on a
Northern Territory cattle station at Wave Hill.
- Eventually after a protracted dispute the Whitlam Federal Government
passed the first land rights legislation in 1975.
- Land rights legislation benefits a very small percentage of Aboriginal
people.
- Native title refers to communal or individual rights or interests of
Aboriginal people or Torres Strait Islanders in relation to land or waters.

Mabo
- In June 1992 the High Court of Australia ruled in favour of an action
brought by Eddie Mabo on behalf of the Murray Island people.
- The court ruled that Australia was indeed an occupied land at the time of
British settlement and that the notion of terra nullius - "land belonging to
no one" - was false in regard to the situation in Australia.
- It further ruled that under certain circumstances a form of title known as
"Native Title" existed under Australian law (but it could only be claimed
on a very small percentage of Australian land.)
- In order to claim Native Title it had to be proved that continuous links
with the land had been maintained since before 1788 and that the Native
Title had not been extinguished as with freehold title.

The Wik case and the Native Title Amendment Act (aka. 10 point plan)
- In 1996 the High Court ruled in favour of the Wik people who claimed
that Leasehold Title may not automatically extinguish Native Title - in
certain circumstances Native Title and Leasehold Title could co-exist and
that in areas of dispute the interests of the Leasehold Title holder would
prevail.
- In response to pressure from investors in rural Australia the Howard
Federal Government prepared legislation to amend the Native Title Act
and prevent any uncertainty.
- The main feature of the legislation was to transfer from the Federal
Government to the various State Governments the power to upgrade the
title from Leasehold Title to Freehold Title thus extinguishing Native Title.

Relationship between aboriginal spiritualties and religious traditions in the
process of reconciliation

- Many Christian groups strongly support reconciliation, and associated
issues, for example:
Welcoming the 1992 Mabo decision and making strong
statements affirming the Mabo decision was just and going
against the media and fear campaigns
In 1998 churches adamantly opposed the Ten Point Plan which
they saw as severe and an unjust reduction of ATSI rights to
make Native Title claims
1997: Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR) was
formed a prominent church based organisation advocating
indigenous rights.
- There is also interfaith support for the process of reconciliation
- Example:
Various Jewish groups also opposed the Ten Point Plan and every
year they hold a week of prayer for reconciliation.
Islamic and Buddhist groups have also made public statements
supporting reconciliation, and associated issues (eg. native title,
land rights, formal apology to stolen generation)
- QUOTE: There should not be a blendingbut an integration which is
done with great respect - David Tracey
- QUOTE: We shouldnt deny it anymoreThe open truth will set us free -
Bob Randall (stolen generations)