1. Religious Expression in Australia Post 1945

2. Religious Background prior to WW2
Anglo Irish Celtic
Catholic and Protestant
Mainly Christian
White Australia policy since 1901
Fr. John Thierry
Catholic
Rev John Dunmore Lang
Methodist
Samuel Marsden
Anglican
William Grant Broughton 1843 C of E.

3. Changing Patterns of Religious adherence due to diversity of migration patterns
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.
Humanist symbol
Pentecostal

4. Christianity as the Major Religious Tradition
2001 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

5. From 1945 “Populate or Perish”
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.

6. IMMIGRATION
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.

7. Plurality of Christianity In the 15 years after WW11.
Ukranian
Catholics and
Orthodox
Polish Catholics
Italian Catholics
Russian Catholics and
Orthodox
Maltese Catholics
Australia post 1945
German Catholics and
Lutherans
Greek Orthodox and
Catholic
Yugoslavian
Catholics
Lithuanian, Estonian and
Latvian Catholics
and Orthodox
Hungarian Catholics
English, Scottish, and
Irish Catholics and
Protestants

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. Diversity of Religion Post 1960 1975- 1990 Vietnamese Catholics
And Buddhists
Mid East War
Lebanese Maronites
and Muslims
Post 1973
Multiculturalism
Chinese Catholics , Protestants and
Buddhists
Indian Catholics and Hindus
Sri Lankan Catholics,
Christians and Hindus
Turkish Muslims
Cypriots and Greeks
Orthodox
Bosnian war
Bosnian and Serbian
Catholics and Muslims
Egypt
Coptic Orthodox

11. 1975 to 1985 large numbers of displaced Vietnamese refugees settled in Australia
These migrants were mainly Catholic and Buddhist

12. Diversity of Religion 1990 - 2007 1990 Iraq and Kuwait
Kurds – Muslim and Christian
Armenian – Orthodox and Christian
Iraqis- Muslims
Chinese – Buddhist and Christian
Somalia and Ethiopia
Catholics, Orthodox and Muslim
Iraq and Kuwait
Muslims and Christians
Philippines, Tonga
And Samoa
Catholics and Protestants
Sri Lanka and India
Tamil, Hindus, and Sikhs and Catholics
And Protestants

13. Denominational Switching
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

14. New Age Religions
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.
Wicca
Tai Chi

15. Secularism 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.

16. The Impact of Ecumenical movements in Australia
Ecumenism – Movement towards unity among Christian Churches; Variants- Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox.
Opposite of Sectarianism
Unity in Christ although diverse in practice and beliefs
Various levels- joint commissions, practical level and Parish level.
Two major initiatives for us: NCCA and NSW Ecumenical council.
Promotes harmony, understanding and appreciation
Gives stronger witness to the community and builds trust.
The House of Welcome project has been made possible by funding that has come specifically for the purpose from some member churches of the NSW Ecumenical Council, from local church congregations, from other community groups and from individuals.
JP 11 and the Greek Patriarch, Christodoulos

17. National Council of churches of Australia
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.

18. NSW Ecumenical council
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.

19. Formation of the Uniting Church
In 1977, a unique Ecumenical event happened in Australia.
Methodist and Congregationalist and some Presbyterian Churches amalgamated and formed the Uniting Church.
30 years later – there has been a rise of individualism in the younger generation and some numbers have now dropped.
The Uniting Church continues to
work in social welfare in
Australia.

20. 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
Interfaith dialogue creates respect and
appreciation for religious diversity.
Helps religions support each other.

21. The Relationship between aboriginal communities and religious traditions in the process of Reconciliation
Christians – first to advocate aboriginal rights and support the Reconciliation movement and formal apology for the Stolen Generation
NCCA’s NATSIEC put on a youth reconciliation service in Redfern
Jewish Groups hold a week of prayer every year for Reconciliation
Australian Federation of Islam Councils and the Buddhist Peace Fellowship also support Reconciliation and indigenous rights.

22. National Torres Strait and Aboriginal Islander Commission

23. The Relationship between aboriginal communities and religious traditions in the process of Reconciliation
ANTAR – a Christian Church based group was formed to
advocate indigenous rights. It was chaired by Phil Glendenning
A Catholic who is president of the Edmund Rice centre for
justice and community education
Graham Neate, a Baptist and is president
of the National Native title Tribunal, and works
as a judge on Native title claims. He has an
awareness of the aborigines link to the land and
often holds court beneath gum trees and
bottlebrush on the ground
A Jewish couple, tom and Eva Rona left money
for aboriginal people and this has enabled them
to record the oral history of the Nglyampaam
people of western Australia, helped by an elder.