The Questions will focus on stimulus material and be based on the following

areas of the syllabus

Outline changing patterns of religious adherence from 1945 to the present based on
census data Commented [1]: 1

Census definition
A collection of data from the population of a country, conducted by the government
every 5 years in Australia.
Christianity Commented [2]: C
Church of England (Anglican) decreased from 39% of population in 1947 to 18% in
2006

Catholicism has risen from 20% in 1947 to 25% in 2006
Christianity has decreased, yet remains most popular religion in Australia (64%
Christian)
Traditional Churches (Presbyterian, Congregational, Methodist) experienced downturn
losing 15% since 1996
Newer Pentecostal Church had 25% increase since 1996 but also the largest numbers
of switchers in and out of the faith
Baptist, Catholic, Orthodox Churches had significant increases of up to 8% since 1996
Other religions Commented [3]: O
Other Religions increased from 0.5% of population in 1947 to 5.6% in 2006
Large, rapid growth in other mainstream religions
Buddhism (2.1%)
Hinduism (0.7%)
Islam (1.7%)
Judaism (0.4%)
Hinduism grew fastest, closely followed by Buddhism and Islam and lastly,Judaism
Traditional Aboriginal religion decreased losing 30% of practitioners between 1996 and
2001
No religion Commented [4]: N
In 1947, 0.3% of the population identified themselves as having no religion, lasting until
1971 when it rose to 6.7% suddenly
Today, 26% of population identify themselves as having no religion
Not stated/ inadequately described 11.1% in 1947 stayed nearly the same at 11.7% in
1996, and today, 11.2% despite population doubling since 1947

Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to: Commented [5]: 2
- Christianity as the major religious tradition
Christianity has been the major religious tradition since the first fleet in 1787, introducing a 95%+
population of anglicans. The abolition of the White Australia Policy introduced immigration laws that
are mainly responsible for the overall decline in christian numbers, due to refugees and immigrants of
a variety of different backgrounds. Catholics took over according to the 1986 census. In the 2011
Census 61.1% were Christian, in the 2016 Census, 52.1% are Christian 7.2% decrease overall.
- Immigration
The immigration restriction act in 1901 (White Australia policy) significantly reduced immigration
levels. Between 1945 and 1965 more than two million migrants came to Australia as refugees and
seeking better living. In 1966 the immigration restriction act was abolished significantly increasing
immigration. Conflicts in Muslim countries, Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Vietnam saw huge increases in
immigration from these troubled areas to Australia, bringing Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism. Now
over a quarter of the population was born overseas. This has drastically reduced the percentage of
Christians and increased the percentage of other religions.
- Denominational switching
Denominational Switching is the phenomenon of people changing from one denomination to another.
Denominational Switching is most prevalent within Christian denominations, more specifically
between Pentecostalism and Protestant churches. Young Protestants are leaving the denomination
to go to Pentecostalism because pentecostalism is very appealing to younger people. Pentecostal
increase by 18% in 2011, Protestant only increase by 1%
- Rise of New Age religions
New Age Religion is a term applied to a range of spiritual or religious beliefs and practices that
developed in Western nations during the 1970s. New Age Religion differs from traditional churches
as they lack any single Unifying creed or doctrine and have no holy text, no central organisation and
no formal leadership. It is difficult to properly define or calculate the New Age Religion and its amount
of adherents This is because the ABS is constantly changing what category it falls under in the
census There is also no adequate description of it as a religion in the census. The New Age
Movement is most popular with people in the 25-34 age category with 32,772 people in 2006 and
40,033 in 2011, the most of any other age bracket
- Secularism
The censuses over the years reveal that there is a growing number of people pertaining to no
religion. This is the result of society becoming increasingly modern in which there is no political
emphasis on religion people are independent and not reliant on religion in making decisions in their
lives. Belief in supernatural, spirituality or divine is best comprehended through reason, science and
logic. 1960s and 1970s saw nearly all Australians being affiliated with a religious denomination and
Sunday Church was seen as an integral component of life Milestone for secularism in Australia was
the introduction of the Australian Humanist Society in the 1960s followed by the formation of many
Humanist groups throughout Australia Made great impact on secularism in Australia Right to be
married by civil celebrant rather than a church clergy became official in 1973- today 50% of people
married by civil celebrant Steady decline in church attendance and clergy recruitment figures.
- Religious landscape Definition
Describing what religion look like. E.G what is the most populated religion. Statistics help us describe
the religious landscape. Australia's current religious landscape is quite varied. Australia is very
accepting to the main world traditions, and including all their denominations. Australia is also
accepting of all religions growing and declining, allowing them to build sacred buildings, preach their
words and to allow the development of new age religions. The modern Australian landscape is in a
constant state of flux, growth, decline and consistencies among Christians, other religions and non-
religious traditions. The religious landscape is analysing the growth and description of how the rate of
religious population changes between censuses. Although Christianity is still the dominant religious
tradition in Australia, other religions, non-religions and all the denominations of Christianity
adherents, are changing in national percentage. Christianity (sitting at 52.1% of the population) has
decreased in national percentages (by 9.0%), whilst other traditions such as Islam, Sikhism,
Buddhism and Hinduism has grown in numbers (by 26.85%, 72.1%, 6.56% and 59.81% respectively).
Religions that are not listed have also been on the rise, similarly with those who select the no religion
option. (10% and 30% respectively). This changing in the Australian religious landscape has been
allowed by better immigration laws, the abolition of the white Australia policy and more modern, new
religion tolerances. This suggests that immigrants and other individuals are spreading and practising
new religions and other major world traditions, widening the religious landscape in Australia.

Describe the impact of Christian ecumenical movements in Australia Commented [6]: 3

 Definition of Ecumanism
- Ecumenism refers to the movement towards religious unity amongst Christian
denominations. Unity does not mean uniformity. It is not about combining all
denominations into one, but rather an acknowledgement that their unity in Christ
outweighs their diversity in practice and beliefs. In contrast to the historical conflict
between Christian denominations, ecumenism is leading them to work, worship and
dialogue together.
- Ecumenism is the opposite of sectarianism, which refers to division and conflict
between groups within the same religion. The ecumenical progress in Australia is even
more remarkable in light of the sectarian history of Christianity both here and overseas.
- Ecuanism is the push towards combining all christian denominations into 1, belief.
The NCCA (National Council of Churches Australia) is an ecumenical body that aims to :
Unite Christian Churches and express the unity willed by Christ.
Unite Christian denominations in working, praying and growing together.

It is a ecumenical organisation bringing together a number of Australian churches in dialogue

and practical cooperation.
Originally, the movement was for Christian unity within Australia between Anglican and
Protestant
churches only today 15 different church variants apart of NCCA.

Impacts of the NCCA

Helped create positive relationships throughout many Eastern and Western churches which
continue to last today through dialogue and practical cooperation so there is no conflict or
tensions between Christian denominations.
NCCA works on many charity project to help bring various denominations together for a cause.

NSW Ecumenical Council

Established in 1946 to be the instrument through which its member churches celebrate and
manifest their unity to understand each other's faith.
Affiliated with NCCA

Impacts of the NSW Ecumenical Council

Local initiatives: promote ecumenism on grass root levels
(on the streets and homeless people)
Social justice initiatives: Churches unite to work on social justice issues.
Educational initiatives: teach the next generation to maintain the spirit of ecumenism.

Evaluate the importance of interfaith dialogue in multifaith Australia Commented [7]: 4

The role of Interfaith Dialogue:
It is when representatives from different religious traditions meet together peacefully to talk
and exchange information about their respective faiths and clear up misunderstandings
Not about debate or attempts to convert
One example was the Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews in 2003
by the NCCA
It is when representatives from different religious traditions meet together peacefully to talk and
exchange information about their respective faiths and clear up misunderstandings

Interfaith dialogue is essential for all religions to coexist in a multifaith Australia. Australia is very
diverse and made up of people belonging to several religions such as Christianity, Hinduism, Islam,
Buddhism, Sikhism and Judaism. Due to this diversity, interfaith dialogue needs to be initiated so that
the Australian population and its religions learn to accept one another and develop a mutual
understanding for the beliefs of other religions as this is the only way for such a religiously diverse
population to coexist in peace and understanding.
City of Dandenong Interfaith Network (video)
Which religious traditions are What type of dialogue takes place? How is this group effective?
involved?

Bahai faith 1989+first meeting dealing negative Positive relationship with the council,
Buddhism press about some asian youth / anger/violence ue to racial differences
Christianity wanting better role models. to work of the network.
Islam
Hindiuism Works with council People who don't know about other
Sikhism religions go and learn about them.
Judaism Work is for peace and harmony
And other less known groups People up their understanding and
Provides an information kit about the appreciation of other religions
interfaith network, and other religion
within it. Focus on similarities, not differences
Regularly involved in council
meetings. Higher appreciation of diversity

Tours of places of worship within Promotes harmony and cultural

dandenong area. per year appreciation amongst the community.

School visits

Annual gathering of network,

traditional dress, food president faith
background changes every year.

Resign the common statement the

children make a performance,
artwork, essays and harmonious
activities.

Created a sacred space in the ;local

hospital were embers of all faiths
could worship

Examine the relationship between Aboriginal spiritualities and religious traditions in the
process of Reconciliation Commented [8]: 5
Reconciliation is the process of healing and dialogue between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
Australians.
It involves recognising the wrongs of the past, but also about working together towards being a
 united Australia. In particular, Reconciliation can involve religious traditions working with
Aboriginal spiritualities.
Strong social justice focus- initiatives that work n improving the rights and living of ATSI
people.

Week of prayer for Reconciliation each year ( usually coincides with National Reconciliation
Week)- Church provides resources for local churches to incorporate into their masses and
liturgies.
Non- Aboriginals feel that reconciliation is important for being empathetic and realising the
wrongs that occured in the past. Non-Aboriginals realise that the way Aboriginals have ended
up is a result of the events that happened in the past. This can be fixed by reconciling. This is
specific to Christianity because of they way that Christianity was involved with Aboriginals in
the past.
Discuss how Aboriginal spirituality is determined by the Dreaming Commented [9]: 6
Kinship
The Kinship is a large part of an aboriginals identity. It is the process in which an Aboriginal
learns about their obligations in the community and also dictates who they can marry and their
role in their relationships. Kinship can affect Business, social protocols, shared wealth and
care for children
Ceremonial life
Gives meaning to aboriginals through the rituals they perform such as the smoking rituals that
can symbolise healing or rituals related to the creation of the land and the origin of their
existence
Obligations to the land and people
Initiation is the Aboriginal ritual ceremony or religious rite of passage denoting the transition
from childhood to adulthood. There is a male initiation and a female initiation. Initiation brings
with it responsibilities and obligations in both spiritual and social life. The initiate begins to
learn skin relationships as well as kinship, land and ceremonial obligations. Initiation brings
increased status, responsibilities and obligations to kinship, land, ceremonies and rituals. It
does not mean, however, that adulthood has been fully reached

Discuss the continuing effect of dispossession on Aboriginal spiritualities in relation to: Commented [10]: 7
https://docs.google.com/a/parrastu.catholic.edu.au/document/d/11bDUpSqrHFsfMgGc-z0qxVgb-
bRmN5e-xWokZJam9Qo/edit?usp=sharing
Separation from the land
The Aboriginals peoples first act of dispossession was when colonists declared Australia as
Terra Nullius (Terra Nullius- Latin for unclaimed land or Land belonging to no one), which
was followed by several Massacres of even entire groups further separating them from the
land. Aboriginal people were segregated from society in the form of Missions (run either by the
government or the Church. Often where children were sent.) and Reserves (Designated areas
where the Aboriginal were forced to live in.) The reserves completely separated entire groups
from there land forcing them to live on land that was foreign to them.
Separation from kinship groups
The separation from kinship groups began with the several massacres of entire groups, this
affected their kinship leading to identity crisis and a lost sense of belonging. Aboriginal people
were segregated from society in the form of Missions (run either by the government or the
Church. Often where children were sent.) and Reserves (Designated areas where the
Aboriginal were forced to live in.) The missions completely separated generations from their
kinship groups. Then the stolen generations led to further separation
The Stolen Generations
 The term Stolen Generation refers to the mass removal of Australian Aboriginal children from
their families by Government agencies and church missions between 1900 and 1972. The
main goal being protection and assimilation, as it was believed that the Children were not
being raised correctly and the Government feared that they would remain social rejects. These
Generations were completely severed from their kinship groups and their close family leading
them to be assimilated. People would also abuse these Generations using them for physical
labour

Outline the importance of the following for the Land Rights movements: Commented [11]: 8
Mabo Commented [12]: In chronological order
A case led by Eddie mabo from the murray islands suing for land claims
June 1992 they won the case by proving they had a continuous link with the land and
continued to practice laws and customs associated with the land before British
colonization.
After winning the case he claimed ownership of the land under the Native title Act
which was passed after his settlement.
Overthrew terra nullius which acknowledged that australia was occupied by the
Aboriginal people in 1788 when the British settlement took place.

Native title
Native Title is the communal or individual rights or interests of Aboriginals in relation to
traditional land and water
Native title act (1993) It accepted that Indigenous peoples who had continuing interest
in the land had rights to the land. Recognizes native title and rights in federal law
Very small portion and percentage of Australian land is owned by Aboriginal people
through NativeTitle because:
Most land is already owned by other people or institutions
Insufficient proof could be provided
Gave Indigenous people the right to possess, occupy, use, the land so land has had a
continuous connection with indigenous people.

Wik
The land that the wik people wanted to claim was currently being used by the
government to make feeding stations and other uses.
This destroyed the natural ecosystem in the wik area, which limited the food supplies
from the habitat for the aboriginal people. This forces the aboriginal people into
becoming reliant on the government for food.

Pastoral lease definition:

A pastoral lease is an arrangement used in both Australia and New Zealand where
Crown land is leased by government generally for the purpose of grazing on
rangelands.

Mabo Eddie Mabo - individual High Court found that Constitution and laws had to
(Mabo Campaign began in late 1970s Terra Nullius was VOID, change
Decision 3MMMs - Mabo was from Murray Island and that the Mer people
- court (part of the Meriam Islands), Merpeople HAD been living on the New laws had to be initiated
case) 1992 Terra Nullius was still in place islands for time
 Mabo was arguing that Aboriginal people immemorial. Allows for Aboriginal to reconnect
had been living on the islands for time with the Dreaming as well as being
immemorial (as long as anyone can LANDMARK DECISION formally recognised as the
remember) (decision that has traditional owners of the land
Wanted recognition as traditional owners important changes)
of the land Most important decision Made wider Australian community
Went to the High Court of Australia in the land rights aware of the situation and to be
movement more supportive

To provide a national
As a result of the Mabo decision, the Mainly a positive result as many
system for the recognition
law had to be rewritten. Aboriginal people could now start
1993 and protection of Native
the process of healing as well as
Title, process for
Native Native Title = Aboriginal people being formally recognised by
Amended accessing Native Title
Title claiming original ownership of the other Australians as the traditional
in 1998 (thank you Wikipedia)
(Act - land. owners/custodians of the land.
(after Wik
law)
decision) Had to work out which
Law had to clarify the process and The Act didnt cover all types of
land could be claimed and
what land could be claimed. land, so there would be some
how the process would
future problems.
work

Wik people of Northern QLD were wanting to claim native title of land. Result = Amendment of the
PROBLEM = land was Crown land (land owned by the government) that Native Native Title Act.
Wik
was being used for a pastoral lease (for farming etc). Title and
(Wik
pastoral Clarified for all
Decision 199
Native Title Act DID NOT give instructions as to what to do in this leases on parties about Native
- court 6
situation. Crown Title and the
case)
land could process of
Case has to go to court. co-exist. obtaining it.

Analyse the importance of the Dreaming for the Land Rights movement Commented [13]: 9

Land is at the heart of the Dreaming and all relationships within Aboriginal communities are
determined through relationships with the land.
The declaration of terra nullius made by the British settlers denied foundational principles of
the Aboriginal Belief systems.
Aboriginal spirituality is founded on the peoples inextricable connection to the land.
They are part of the land and the land is part of their being
Daily life, Rituals and Ceremonies reflect and revolve around the land and are
dependent upon it to be whole, without it these practices cannot be observed

Mabo Native title

Constitution and laws had to change
Mainly a positive result as many Aboriginal people could now start the proces
of healing as well as being formally recognised by other Australians as th
New laws had to be initiated
traditional owners
/custodians of the land.
Allows for Aboriginal to reconnect with the Dreaming as well as being formally recognised as
the traditional owners of the land
The Act didnt cover all types of land, so there would be some future
problems.
Made wider Australian community aware of the situation and to be more supportive
Point 7 and 8 clarify what happened that caused these effects in point 9.