Religious Expression in Australia - 1945 to the present

Question 1

what is the percentage of Catholics in Australia in 2016?

Answer 1

22.6%

Question 2

what is the percentage of ‘no religion’ in Australia in 2016?

Answer 2

30.1%

Question 3

what is the percentage of Anglicans in Australia in 2016?

Answer 3

13.3%

Question 4

what is the percentage of Buddhists in Australia in 2016?

Answer 4

2.4%

Question 5

what is the percentage of Hindus in Australia in 2016?

Answer 5

1.9%

Question 6

what is the percentage of Catholics in Australia in 2011?

Answer 6

25.3%

Question 7

what is the percentage of ‘no religion’ in Australia in 2011?

Answer 7

22.3%

Question 8

what is the percentage of Anglicans in Australia in 2011?

Answer 8

17.1%

Question 9

which religion is the major religious tradition?

Answer 9

Christianity

Question 10

has there been a decline in Christianity?

Answer 10

yes (according to Australia’s Census)

86% –> 52.1%

Question 11

how often is the Australian Bureau of Statistics National Census held?

Answer 11

every five years

Question 12

what are the main reasons for the shifting religious landscape of Australia?

Answer 12

• immigration
• denominational switching
• secularism
• new age religions

Question 13

how has immigration shifted the religious landscape of Australia?

Answer 13

• abolishment of White Australia Policy in 1973
• immigrants from Asia
• Vietnamese immigrants after the Vietnam War
• Vietnamese bought Buddhism

Question 14

what are a few religions that have been introduced due to immigration?

Answer 14

• buddhism
• hinduism
• islam

Question 15

what is denominational switching?

Answer 15

switching from one denomination of a Church to another

Question 16

how has denominational switching shifted the religious landscape of Australia?

Answer 16

• changes the composition of Australia’s religious landscape

- statistics are different

Question 17

why do people switch denominations?

Answer 17

• focus on evangelisation

- youth are more attracted to vibrant services

Question 18

what is an example of a Christian denomination that youth are more inclined to switch to?

Answer 18

Hillsong Church

Question 19

what are new age religions?

Answer 19

• not formal religions
• no formal creeds or sacred texts
• spiritual, not religious

Question 20

what do new age religions generally believe?

Answer 20

• all that exists is God
• karma and reincarnation
• existence of aura

Question 21

what are some common practices in new age religions?

Answer 21

• meditation
• astrology
• crystals
• channeling
• feng shui

Question 22

why is there a rise in new age religions?

Answer 22

increase in society questioning traditional authorities

Question 23

what is an example of a new age religion?

Answer 23

scientology

Question 24

what is secularism?

Answer 24

based on the idea that society and government should be free from religious influence

Question 25

why is secularism becoming more prominent?

Answer 25

- people are becoming more suspicious of institutionalised religion - feel that it is not relevant to a modern society

Question 26

what is a good example that shows that Christianity is the major religious tradition in Australia?

Answer 26

some public holidays are linked to the Christian calendar

Question 27

what religion has gained the greatest number of followers as a result of denominational switching?

Answer 27

pentecostalism

Question 28

what percentage of Australian's identify as having no religion?

Answer 28

30%-39%

Question 29

what is ecumenism?

Answer 29

the movement among Christian, Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant churches

Question 30

what does ecumenism work towards?

Answer 30

works towards Christian unity especially on social justice issues

Question 31

what is are examples of ecumenism?

Answer 31

- The National Council of Churches Australia (NCCA) | - The Uniting Church

Question 32

what churches became a part of the Uniting Church of Australia?

Answer 32

- Methodists - Presbyterians - Congregationalists

Question 33

when was the NCCA formed?

Answer 33

1994

Question 34

what religious groups are a part of NCCA?

Answer 34

- Anglicans - Protestants - Catholics - Orthodox

Question 35

what does the NCCA promote?

Answer 35

promotes collaboration in social justice initiatives among Christian groups

Question 36

what is interfaith dialogue?

Answer 36

formal discussion that aims to develop greater mutual understanding between different religious traditions

Question 37

why is interfaith dialogue important?

Answer 37

- Australia is pluralistic & multi-faith - allows for greater respect and appreciation of other religions - united voce on key concerns - promotes unity and strength

Question 38

what is the main function of the National Council of Churches Australia?

Answer 38

the promote ecumenism

Question 39

what is an example of interfaith dialogue?

Answer 39

NSW Council of Christians and Jews

Question 40

what is reconciliation?

Answer 40

long and difficult process requiring the recognition of past wrongdoings involved in the destruction of Aboriginal spiritualities

Question 41

what is an example of an organisation that works toward reconciliation?

Answer 41

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC)

Question 42

what does NATSIEC work towards?

Answer 42

- acknowledgment of all Christian Churches of their role in Aboriginal dispossession - promotes indigenous rights - empower indigenous women - helping repair Aboriginal spiritualities