ASSOCIATIONS TO THE RELIGIOUS LANDSCAPE OF AUSTRALIA

Claire Crighton

Denominational switching – relates to the transfer of Christian followers from one branch of Christianity to another.

New Age Movement – is a Western spiritual movement from the late 20th Century that sees the development of the New Age Religion.

Secularism – looks to exclude religion from any civil affairs and politics.

General understanding of such affects

The landscape today and how its changed/developed –

Statistical evidence of such trends Explore examples of 3 aspects (d-

switching, NAM, Sec) Communicate opinion of their

impact.

Definitions Brief Overview

Since WW2 and the lifting of the White Australia policy, the increase of immigration has seen the increase of cultural diversity and the creation of multicultural and multi faith Australia.

Multi-faith Australia

Religious Landscape Today

With the increasing interest in alternate branches of Christianity, New Age religious phenomena and the ideals of a Secularist nation, Australia’s religious landscape can be seen in a rapid development of social reflection and exploration of their own religious identity.

i.e. Pentecostalism, New Age religion and Secularist Party Australia.

Census Statistics

1947 1954 1961 1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 20060

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100 Anglican

Catholic

Other Branches

Total Chris-tianity

Other Re-ligions

No Religion

N/A

Trends in Statistics

1947 (post WW2), 88% Total Christianity and 0.3% ‘no religion’

2006, 63.9% Total Christianity and 18.7% ‘no religion’

2006, 80% of 65year olds Christian – 55% of 18-24year olds

Slow decline in Christianity and obvious increase in ‘no religion’

**suggests shift in the value of religion or spiritual approach in Australian society**

http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/d3310114.nsf/home/Population%20Pyramid%20-%20Australia

Population Graph

As a strong part of the ever shifting landscape of Australia’s religious affiliations, denominational switching outlines the continuous re-establishment and refinement of the many sectors of Christianity.

Denominational Switching

Click icon to add picture

Denominational switching

There are many reasons to change faith…

Convenience Community Understanding

1981

1986

1991

1996

2001

2006

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Anglican

Catholic

Other

Christian-ity (Total)

Denominational switching mania!

Made up mostly of people coming from other Christian denominations.

Pentecostalism

Pentecostalism

In the 2006 Australian Census, it was found that Pentecostalism in Australia was 219,688 people strong, making up roughly 1.11% of the Australian belief landscape. 53.96% were female, with the majority of them being in the 5 to 14 age group. The majority of males were aged in the 15 to 24 range. In terms of wealth, it was found that the average 2008 house price across the top 10 regions featuring Pentecostalism as a belief was $314,200, with the average income being around $373 a week. 31.38% of all Pentecostalism in Australia can be found in New South Wales. The Pentecostal religious group includes Apostolic Church (Australia), Assemblies of God, Bethesda Churches, Christian City Church, Christian Life Churches International, Christian Outreach Centres, Christian Revival Crusade, Faith Churches, Foursquare Gospel Church, Full Gospel Church, Revival Centres, Rhema Family Church, and United Pentecostal.

THE FACTS!!!

2011

ChristianCatholicAnglicanUniting ChurchPresbyterian and ReformedEastern OrthodoxBaptistLutheranPentecostalOther ChristianNon-Christian

As a fresh establishment of democratic and individualistic ideas into the merging of Western and Eastern spiritual and metaphysical traditions.

New Age Religion

Click icon to add picture

Progress - Origins

Popularised in America in the 80’s meditation, channelling, reincarnation, psychic

experience, crystals, holistic health, environmentalism and of course the wonders of the world such as UFO's and Crop Circles.

‘...characterized by an individual eclectic approach to spiritual exploration. Collectively, New Age has some attributes of an emergent religion, but is currently a loose network of spiritual teachers, healers, and seekers.’

http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/sociopol_newage04.htm#Definitions

Summing up N.A.M

Tradition Fears Change

An excerpt taken from the Australian Christian Library website, written by Rev. Paul Seiler

17.2 CHRISTIANS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS MOVEMENT.

Christians in Australia need to be informed about the New Age Movement. This religion is having a significant impact on the way people think in Australia today. Many people in Australia have had their thinking influenced by this movement unbeknowns to them. These ideas are being promoted through such films as Star Wars and through television. If we are to effectively evangelise people in Australia today we need to be aware of the impact of this movement. We need to be able to demonstrate the errors of this system of belief. The fact is that even some Christians are being unwittingly absorbed into New Age thinking.

A controversial topic on the separation of religion and politics bares important acknowledgement in the shaping of Australia’s religious landscape.

The Ideals of Secularism

Secularism is a widely supported cause both in Australia and internationally. It aims to disregard and take away religion from civil and political affairs.

Secularism in Religious Landscape

HANG ON…AREN'T WE A

MULTICULTURAL NATION SEEKING

JUSTICE AND EQUALITY FOR ALL

WAYS OF LIVING?

Organisations & Discussion Forums