What are the current trends of religious affiliation in Australia?

Growth of ‘no religion’ and ‘not stated’Anglican, Presbyterian and Uniting Church is

decliningCatholics, Orthodox and Pentecostal is

growingKey influences to this change was

immigration and secularism

Now we need look specifically at the main reasons for these changes in more detail…

3B – Account for the Present Religious

Landscape post 1945

There are 5 key factors that influence the Australian religious landscape

Christianity as a major religious traditionImmigrationDenominational SwitchingNew Age ReligionsSecularism

Australia’s National Identity

1. Christianity as the major religious tradition

Factors that contributed to Christianity being the dominant religion include: White Australia Policy – 1900 – 1973 Large migrant intake Slightly higher birth rates

Christianity is growing at a declining rate due to… Decline in weekly attendance Increased secularism Dissatisfied with traditional religions Aging membership Lack of migrant intake Growth of new age religionsNOTE: These factors may be overstated!

1. Christianity as the major religious tradition

Pentecostalism is growing but they suffer from ‘revolving door syndrome’ (people only stay for 18 months to 2 years).

In 2000 the formed the Australian Christian Churches and leaders encouraged members to indicate this on the census rather than Pentecostal.

2. Immigration

Impacts of immigration on Christian membership: Growth of Orthodox (Eastern Europe) Growth of Roman Catholics (Mediterranean & Eastern

Europe, Asia, Africa) Growth of Maronite Catholics (Middle East)

There are 4 major reasons for the large number of immigrants in Australia: Following the war many sought a secure environment Australian government believed the country would benefit

economically & thus promoted immigration Decline of the ‘White Australia Policy’ Overseas war and persecutions have lead to waves of

immigration from affected areas.Immigration has made Australia a multi-faith

society.

3. Denominational Switching

Transfer of followers from one denomination to another

It is most common amongst Protestants who ‘shop around’ for new denominations

Reasons for switching include:

Lead to the significant growth of Pentecostalism

Search for personal fulfillment

Others too strict

Search for what suits me Too formal/informal

Styles of worship Marriage

Style of the leader/minister Education

Friends Location (ie. Closer to home)

Dissatisfied Revolving door syndrome

Reasons to not switch

LoyaltyHistoryFamily and friendsTraditionSacramentsSchool/educationRelevanceCommunity life

Pentecostalism is growing…

Why Pentecostalism?

Its an evangelical and charismatic strand of Christianity

MusicStrong sense of communityLikeable and charismatic leadersOffers clear guidance to overcome troubling

times which makes it an attractive place to visit…

Final figures??In 1996 they reported a growth of 60% over the

past 10 years.

4. Rise of New Age Religions

Reaction to post-war prosperity and disillusion with traditional religions

Covers a range of spiritual beliefs and practices aimed at fostering individual fulfillment through personal happiness, health & meaning in life.

Characteristics include: Individualistic and search-oriented Development of self Promotes mystic experiences Favours a creation-centered spirituality Reject monotheism Belief in a goddess, polytheism, pantheism (worship of nature)

or belief that everything is one (monoism) Rejects traditional Christian practices

Cont..

Examples include; numerology, feng sui, yoga, tai chi, astrology, paganism (Wicca), scientology etc..

Reasons for popularity – Individualistic & liberal – you can pick and choose Takes parts of different religions and morphs them

together Dissatisfied with mainstream religions Rejects more rigid and structured traditional religions Shift from focus on ‘salvation’ to a focus on ‘creation’ Some claim to have supernatural effects such as

curing sickness, predicting future or gaining personal wealth.

5. Secularism

Religion should not interfere with or be integrated into society (separated from politics) Ie. Change from ‘BC’ and ‘AD’ to ‘BCE’ and ‘CE’

Reasons include – Declining numbers of religious affiliation (such as church

attendance, prayer, numbers of clergy & religious orders) Increasing pluralism (diversity of beliefs & cultures) Increasing individualism Increasing materialism (power, possessions, appearance etc) Disillusion with traditional religions Increased skepticism towards supernatural More accepted in society

Growth of ‘no religion’ in the census has increased from 16.1% (1996) and dropped to 15.5% (2001)