Australia: Religion and Belief Systems Post 1945 ✅ Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Australia: Religion and Belief Systems Post 1945 ✅ Deck (59)
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1
Q

Definition: Monocultural

A

A culture in which there is little diversity in terms of ethnic groups.

2
Q

Definition: Ecumenism

A

A Christian movement to promote unity among denominations.

3
Q

Definition: Episcopalism

A

Having church authority vested in the company of bishops as a whole.

4
Q

Definition: Interfaith Dialogue

A

The move to greater cooperation between different religious traditions.

5
Q

Definition: Proselytise

A

Attempt to convert someone from one religion, belief or opinion to another.

6
Q

What religion was Australia predominantly before 1945

A

Anglo-Celtic, Christian

7
Q

What major event brought drastic change to the religious landscape in Australia around 1945?

A

World War Two

8
Q

When was the last census taken?

A

2016

9
Q

In the 1947 census, what population of Australia was Christian and what was non-religious?

A

88% Christian and 0.3% non-religious

10
Q

What percent of the population declared non-religious in the 2016 census?

A

30.1%

11
Q

What percent of the population declared they were Christian in the 2016 census?

A

52.1%

12
Q

What percent of the Australian population is Catholic according to the 2016 census?

A

22.6%

13
Q

What is the second largest religion in Australia and what percentage does it make up?

A

Islam at 2.6%

14
Q

Outline the trends amongst the Christian denominations.

A

Most denominations; Anglican, Uniting, Presbyterians ect. are seeing a decline in members due to their aging populations.
Pentecostalism is the only Christian denomination to become more popular. This may be due to their emphasis on contemporary music and strong sense of community which is appealing to younger generations.

15
Q

Outline the trends of religion in Australia between 1945-1960s

A

Increase in Catholisim due to post WW2 immigration from European countries and conflict in the Middle East, increasing Lebanese Catholics.

Rise in Orthodoxy due to post-war immigration from Greece

Rise in Judaism due to WW2 and the 1956 Suez Canal event.

Growth of Islam from the Turkish and Lebanese fleeing from Civil War.

16
Q

Outline the trends of religion in Australia in the 1970s

A

Islam becomes 0.3% of the population, partly due to the Abolition of the White Australia Policy in 1972 which allowed more immigration from the Middle East.

Increase in Catholicism and it’s diversity. Abolition of the White Australia Policy allowed more people from Vietnam and South-East Asia to migrate.

Growth in Buddhism. The Vietnam War displaced more that two million Indo-Chinese people.

17
Q

When was the White Australia Policy abolished?

A

1973

18
Q

Outline the trends of religion in Australia in the 1980s

A

Significant decline in Anglicanism. Catholicism becomes the dominant religion.

  • Less immigration from Great Britain
  • More Catholic migration from war-torn places

Growth in Islam partly due to the increased migration from South-East Asia, Balkans and the Middle East.

Growth of Buddhism partly due to the increased migration from India and the Middle East.

19
Q

Outline the trends of religion in Australia in the 1990s

A

There is an increase in Islam and a slight increase in Christianity. Partly a result of the invasion of Iraq and subsequent conflict.

20
Q

Outline the trends of religion in Australia between 1990s-2010

A

Increase in Orthodox Christianity
- Increase in migration from Armenia and Eastern Europe

Continued growth of Islam
- Continued migration from Africa due to civil unrest

Growth in Buddhism and diversity in Christianity
- Increase of migration from China and South Korea

Growth of Sikhism and Hinduism
- Increased migration from the Indian subcontinent.

21
Q

When was the White Australia policy created?

A

1901

22
Q

What was the White Australia Policy?

A

A government policy that barred people of non-European decent from immigration into Australia.

23
Q

How did the White Australia effect the religious landscape in Australia?

A

This policy meant that in the early 20th century some people of religions other than christianity were forced to leave Australia

Apart from significant numbers of Jewish immigrants who came before and after WW2, there were no real increases in adherents of other religions, until after the White Australia Policy was abolished in 1973.

This limited the religious diversity in Australia.

24
Q

What is denominational switching?

A

Switching from one denomination (usually Christian) to another.

25
Q

What are some of the reasons for denominational switching?

A
  • Disagreement with doctrines
  • Church hypocrisy
  • Not fulfilling/stimulating
  • Etc
26
Q

Within what church is denominational switching most prevalent?

A

Pentecostal

27
Q

What is the fastest growing religious category?

A

Secularism/No-Religion

28
Q

What are new age religions?

A

Characterised by alternative approaches to traditional religions, with an interest in spirituality, mysticism and holism.

29
Q

How does new age religions differ from other religions?

A

They lack a single unifying creed or doctrine.

30
Q

When did new age religion grow in Australia?

A

Grew in popularity in the 1970s

31
Q

Identify and briefly explain three new age beliefs.

A

Karma - The good and bad deeds subtract from out accumulated record

Astrology - Planetary bodies at the time of one’s birth influence personality and behaviour

Auras - An energy field or aura, radiated by the human body can be used to diagnose an individual’s state of being.

32
Q

Secularism definition

A

Non-dedication to a religious purpose

33
Q

How do secular systems differ from religious systems?

A

Secular systems are based on fact, reason and logic while religious systems are based on divine revelation and spiritual insight.

34
Q

How is secularism a part of Australian politics?

A

The government is a secular system meaning it’s decisions are completely separate from religious influence.

35
Q

List the four types of ecumenism

A
  • Non-Denominational approach
  • Interdenominational approach
  • Embracing differences
  • Working towards unity
36
Q

What are ecumenical movements about?

A
  • Acknowledgement that Christ outweighs doctrinal diversity in Christianity
  • Developing opportunities to work, worship and dialogue together
37
Q

List two ecumenical movements in Australia

A
  • National Council of Churches Australia (NCCA)

- NSW Ecumenical council

38
Q

When was the National Council of Churches Australia formed?

A

1994

39
Q

List at least three denominations that form the National Council of Churches Australia

A
  • Catholic
  • Anglican
  • Lutheran
  • Salvation army
  • Uniting Church
40
Q

What has been the impact of the National Council of Churches Australia?

A
  • Helping refugee families

- Assisting asylum seekers and establishing houses of welcome

41
Q

When was the NSW Ecumenical council formed?

A

1946

42
Q

What is the NSW Ecumenical council’s three foundations?

A
  • Maintaining “the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace” (Ephesians 4:3)
  • Being committed to the gospel
  • Proclaiming the Gospel to the world
43
Q

What has been the impact of the NSW Ecumenical council?

A
  • Address issues of injustice towards ATSI peoples and equality for all
  • Ministry with the refugee program including education fro refugees and regular visits to detention centres.
44
Q

Interfaith dialogue definition

A

A formal discussion between representatives from various traditions aimed at developing greater mutual understanding between their different religious traditions.

45
Q

What is Interfaith dialogue about?

A
  • Allowing religions to come to a better appreciation of the uniqueness of each other
  • Education to dispel fear and bigotry
  • Promotes religion as an important role in our secular society
  • Seeks opportunities to work together on key issues such as asylum seekers
  • NOT about attempts to proselytise
46
Q

List and explain three examples of interfaith dialogue in Australia

A

The need for peace in the Middle East - Joint statement from representatives of the Jewish and Islamic communities in Sydney, April 2002

Opposition to late-term abortion - Joint statement issued from representatives of the Christian denominations, Buddhists, Sikhs and Hindus

The need for the NSW government to subsidide the cost of appointing chaplins to NSW public hospitals - Joint statement from representatives of various Christian denominations, Jews, Buddhists, and Muslims.

47
Q

List and explain two examples of interfaith organisations

A

NSW Council for Christians and Jews

  • Established in 1989
  • Activities include annual Passover demonstrations designed to education non-Jews.

Religions for peace

  • Established in 1970
  • Arguably the most significant force in leading world interfaith dialogue
  • There is a Religions for Peace Australia organisation that deals with ‘in house’ interfaith dialogue.
48
Q

When did Aboriginal reconciliation arguable begin?

A

With the 1967 referendum which gave the government authority to make laws in the interest of ATSI people as they were included in the census.

49
Q

List three positive moves towards Aboriginal reconciliation

A
  • Aboriginal Land Rights Act (1976)
  • Establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission in 1989
  • Native Title (1993)
50
Q

How have Catholics aided in the Aboriginal reconciliation process?

A

Pope John Paul II visited Alice Springs in 1986 and said “There is a great need for a just and proper settlement that still lies unachieved in Australia”

In 1989 it joined with the other churches to issue a statement called “towards Reconciliation in Australian society” arguing for a settlement of the differences between Aboriginal and White Australians.

Participates in Annual Reconciliation Week, May 27

51
Q

How have Anglicans aided in the Aboriginal reconciliation process?

A

Provides funding and support for the National Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Ecumenical Commission

Anglicare Australia provides services such as accommodation, emergency support and family support in Aboriginal communities.

The Ballarat diocese has requested deaneries acknowledge the original ownership of the land.

52
Q

How has the Uniting Church aided in the Aboriginal reconciliation process?

A

Established the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, Townsville which works to promote healing and reparation for past wrongs.

In 1994, the Uniting Church National Assembly made a formal apology to the indigenous Australians for the policies of the past as well as a pledge to work together in the future.

53
Q

How has the Judaism aided in the Aboriginal reconciliation process?

A

Jewish Groups hold an annual week of prater for reconciliation

In 1998, the Australian and New Zealand Union for Progressive Judaism voiced their support for the Wik decision and opposed John Howard’s 10-point plan.

54
Q

How has Islam aided in the Aboriginal reconciliation process?

A

Involved in the annual week of prayer for reconciliation

The Muslim community in Australia is arguable the most supportive of Aboriginal reconciliation on spiritual, moral, humanitarian pragmatic grounds.

55
Q

Definition: Culture in which there is little diversity in terms of ethnic groups.

A

Monocultural

56
Q

Definition: A Christian movement to promote unity among denominations.

A

Ecumenism

57
Q

Definition: Having church authority vested in the company of bishops as a whole.

A

Episcopalism

58
Q

Definition: The move to greater cooperation between different religious traditions

A

Interfaith Dialogue

59
Q

Definition: Attempt to convert someone from one religion, belief, or opinion to another.

A

Proselytise