Religious expression in Australia - 1945 to the present Flashcards
1
Q
Changing patterns of religious adherence
A
- Church going people declining especially in traditional Protestant Churches
- Orthodox increases after WW2 and remains constant
- Catholics increased and are now the largest Christian group
- Pentecostals have increased
- Buddhist, Muslims and Hindus have increased.
- Nos. of Jews constant since WW2.
- Figures of non-church going people equates to trend of people stating “ no religion” on census.
2
Q
current religious landscape
A
- christianity as major religious tradition
- immigration
- denominational switching
- rise of new age religions
- secularism
3
Q
current landscape - christianity as major religion
A
- 2011 Census – decline in Christianity and church attendance.
- Catholics though, have increased due to migration
- Dissatisfaction with traditional Church
- Aging members
- Secularisation increasing
- Pentecostal( Australian Christian Churches) increasing
- From 1945 “Populate or Perish”. Large numbers of displaced European migrants accepted into Australia bringing Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant religious beliefs with them. A new plurality of Christianity emerged.
4
Q
current landscape - immigration
A
- 1947 Australia agreed to receive 12,000 displaced persons per year from war-torn Europe.
- By 1951 had accepted a total of 170,000.
- These new immigrants came and brought with them a new blend of Christianity unique to their particular part of Europe.
- 1960s. “White Australia Policy” increasingly under challenge.
- Wives and children of Australian citizens regardless of race, ‘distinguished and qualified’ people including ‘well-qualified Asians’ accepted
- Since WW11, Japanese wives and Korean wives of servicemen, were admitted under 5 year permits.
- Finally in 1973 “White Australia” is replaced by a policy of “Multiculturalism”. The new inclusive face of Australia changes the largely Anglo Celtic Religious background to a diversified and pluralistic one.
- 1975 to 1985 large numbers of displaced Vietnamese refugees settled in Australia
5
Q
current landscape - denominational switching
A
- Transfer of followers from one Christian denomination or variant to another.
- Usually found in Protestantism sometimes in other variants
- People seek to address needs and if not met, go elsewhere.
- Revolving door syndrome- moving from one to the other.
- Pentecostalism- evangelical, charismatic form of Christianity- emphasis on gifts of the Spirit and music
6
Q
current landscape - rise of new age religions
A
- With the Rise of individualism, there has been a general trend of moving out of traditional religions and their rigidity to seek spiritual fulfillment elsewhere e.g.
- Tarot Cards, Hare Krishna, wisdom in ancient traditions, numerology, yoga and tai chi, transcendental meditation, Wicca (witchcraft), paganism and Feng Shui.
- Creation centred, often leaning towards Eastern philosophy. Seeking answers and guidance.
7
Q
current landscape - secularism
A
- Religion must not be separate from society
- Religious values declining
- Replaced by materialism, skepticism and individualism.
- Disillusionment with traditional religions.
- Increase in “no religions” on census figures.
8
Q
Religious dialogue in multi faith australia
A
- ecumenical movements within christianity
- interfaith dialogue
- relationship between aboriginal spiritualities and religious traditions in the process of reconciliation
9
Q
ecumenism and interfaith dialogue
A
Ecumenism = The movement towards mutual understanding between Christian denominations
“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one–as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.” (John 17:21)
Interfaith Dialogue = The co-operation and harmonious relationships between different religious faiths
10
Q
ecumenical movements within christianity
A
Ecumenism
- Ecumenism is a philosophical approach in the life of the church related to bringing the branches of the church back to a single community of faith or ‘body of Christ’.
- Ecumenism stresses the common values and teachings that exist across the many churches and denominations making up the Christian world. They acknowledge that their belief in Christ outweighs diversity in beliefs & practices.
- In Australia, state-based councils as well as the National Council of Churches Australia (NCCA) seek to voice common concerns to the government on issues that directly affect Christian life.
Ecumenism examples
- Australian Council of Churches (ACC) which was replaced by National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA)
- The World Council of Churches. (WCC)
- The Uniting Church in Australia (UCA)
- Dozens of interdenominational and ecumenical groups operating in Australia.
- Local Christian groups often collaborate and share worship, outreach and physical resources.
- Local ministers, priests and parish workers meet regularly.
- Carols by Candlelight organised by local ecumenical groups.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES AUSTRALIA OVERVIEW
- Variants of Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox churches make up the complement of this body.
- Group of 17 member churches sharing a common Christian understanding who work together to promote peace, harmony, a love of Christ and a vision of a future Australia with a sharing community.
- They cover a range of issues and assist the community in issues of faith and unity, gender issues, indigenous people, social justice and international topics.
- By working together, they are paving the way for an Australia where Christians share and work together on issues of concern and pray together as one people of God.
NSW ECUMENICAL COUNCIL OVERVIEW
- 16 member Churches of the three Christian Variants, Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox.
- Committed to working together to discover peace and unity and echo a common voice from a Christian perspective on issues of concern.
- To work together on specific projects for the greater good of the community and the world at large.
- Causes include the Christmas bowl appeal, the house of welcome and theological reflection.
- The house of Welcome assists migrants and refugees to assimilate into the wider community.
Christmas Bowl
- On Christmas day 1949, the reverend Frank Byatt of Victoria placed an empty bowl on the dinner table and asked all present to give what they considered to be the cost of the meal.
- shown that we all have the ability to make a difference, no matter how small the gift. Today, the funds raised are managed by Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, to support local aid programs in communities suffering most from conflict and natural disasters.
Benefits of ecumenism
- Promotes unity & dialogue, Building trust and giving greater efficiency
- Reduces duplication, allows for pooling of resources
- Assists family via inter-church marriages
- Means that in small communities an ordained minister can be financially supported because donations can come from people in the area who are from different denominations
11
Q
National council of churches australia (NCCA) 1994 bacground/impact and examples
A
background/impact
- Formed after the need was felt for an ecumenical spirit among several churches post WWII.
- An important step in the process was Vatican II (1962-65). committed Church to ecumenism
- NCCA consists of 19 member churches, seven of them Orthodox churches. (does not include the Presbyterian or Baptist churches, or any of the Pentecostal churches)
- Creates solutions to the world problems and reduces differences between member churches.
- praying together as well as for each other, and exploring Christian beliefs/theology together
- considerable impact on ecumenism in Australia as it provides opportunities for Christian churches to promote their common faith and to address social and political issues together.
- limited by the fact that a number of prominent churches have not joined.
examples
- it has been particularly outspoken against the Australian Government’s refugee policy and our participation in the Iraq War.
- Its 2006 Social Justice Statement called for action to eliminate indigenous poverty. (campaign called “Make Indigenous Poverty History”)
- sponsors the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission (NATSIEC) which supports Indigenous Australian with issues such as education and reconciliation.
- Speaking out on behalf of Aboriginal & Islander people
- Responding to human need and acting on issues of justice, peace and creation
- Promote dialogue with people of other living faiths
- Undertake joint initiatives as determined from time to time by the National Forum
12
Q
interfaith dialogue
A
- The process of interfaith dialogue involves the concept of coming together to discuss matters of societal and faith concern with other religions.
- Often these are led by the ecumenical groups within a religion. Eg: the NCCA has ongoing dialogue with the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. These groups themselves are groupings of the many sections within Judaism and Islam.
- Dialogue begins when people meet each other
- Dialogue depends upon mutual understanding and trust
- Dialogue makes it possible to share in service to the community
- Seeks to realise religion’s basic oneness and unity, and the universality of belief.
- Necessary as the concept of a religiously homogenous culture is now redundant!!!
Interfaith dialogue causes
- Post-war period = dramatic diversification of Australia’s ethnic and religious makeup which forced a reassessment of old sectarian (intolerant/dogmatic) ways.
- In light of current cultural and political divisions, there’s a need for religious leaders to express commonalities which bind the religious world views (eg: dignity of the human, justice and peace, care for those in need)
- From WWII to the present there has been a strong developing sense of interfaith dialogue.
- Dialogue helps avoid conflict due to differences in belief and promotes harmony and peace between the religious traditions.
13
Q
importance of interfaith dialogue in multi faith australia
A
- May be the key to solving the increased threat of terrorism facing the modern world. However some conservatives in religion would say that there are significant differences between religions that can’t be overlooked.
- Many of the different religious traditions share similar values on a range of social issues….eg: providing assistance in times of crisis.
Examples include:
- Coming together in interfaith prayer services commemorating 9/11, the Bali bombing and the Boxing Day Tsunami.
- In 1996 Pope John Paul II held an interfaith prayer service in the Domain in Sydney.
- In 2001 churches, synagogues and mosques in Sydney held reciprocal services to pray for peace and express unity.
Interfaith Dialogue Background
- Interfaith- cooperation between people of different faiths.
- Promotes mutual understanding, harmony, dialogue, appreciation, co-operation and interfaith prayer services. Examples are:
- NSW council of Christians and Jews
- Columban centre for Muslim-Christian relations est. 1997.
- Interfaith dialogue creates respect and
- appreciation for religious diversity.
- Helps religions support each other.
Australian Examples
- Studies of Religion courses in high schools, where students of different faiths work together. Religious leaders of different faiths also talk to teachers of different faith thus demonstrating interfaith dialogue
- ANZAC day service held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Sydney remembering the suffering of people during war; Buddhist monks and Christian ministers took part.
- Multifaith prayer vigil held at Strathfield Plaza on 15th September 2001 after the terrorist attacks on the USA. Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Tamil Catholics, Anglo Catholics, Anglicans, Korean Christians and Pentecostals groups took part.
- In 2003, the National Council of Churches launched the Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews with the aim of promoting understanding and harmony. Issues that have been discussed include the Muslim concept of jihad, Jewish Zionism, and the Christian doctrine of the trinity. (Zionism is an international political movement that originally supported the establishment of a homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine and continues primarily in support for the modern state
NSW Council of Christians and Jews
- Began in 1989
- Holds numerous events fostering Christian-Jewish relationships and has countered anti-semitism
- Eg: holocaust education, holding seminars of current and relevant topics, passover demonstration for non-Jewish audiences, the holding of an annual Christian commemorative service for the Holocaust held in the crypt of St. Mary’s cathedral.
14
Q
relationship between aboriginal spiritualities and religious traditions in process of reconcilliation
A
Reconciliation = is a form of acknowledging past wrongdoings so that forgiveness and healing can take place E.G. Reconciliation for stealing of land, suppression of aboriginal culture, stolen generations, erased links to heritage/identity
CHRISTIAN RESPONSE TO RECONCILIATION
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission
- Prominent initiative in reconciliation – supported by NCCA
- works for acknowledgement of all Christian churches of their role in Aboriginal dispossession
- promotes Indigenous rights
- Runs a program designed to empower Indigenous women in telling their story of loss, prominently within times of the stolen generation.
- Helps to develop a plan for the repair of Aboriginal spiritualities within a Christian context
Pope John Paul II
- 2001: he addressed Australia’s indigenous people on behalf of the church, apologising for their role on Christian missions
- Urged the Australian government to implement basic health, employment and educational facilities for Aboriginal people to be assisted in the reconciliation process.
OTHER RELIGION RESPONSE TO RECONCILIATION
Executive Council of the Australian Jewry
- Jewish organisation, 2000; lobbied the Australian government to implement recommendations put forward by the bringing them home report.
Other: Buddhist peace fellowship
“Reconciliation is an ongoing process that still faces serious barriers, evident by ABS statistics showing Indigenous life expectancy is 20 years lower than the national average, which can be linked back to destruction of spirituality and dispossession”
