1. Religious expression
in Australia – 1945 to
the present
Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post-1945

2. outline changing patterns of religious
adherence from 1945 to the present
using census data
 Decline in Anglican figures
 Numerical increase in Catholic figures
 Decline in Presbyterian and Uniting Church figures
 Numerical increase in Orthodox figures
 Steady growth in Pentecostal figures
 Rise of secularism
 Jewish figures have remained steady
 Steady increase in Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist figures

3. account for the present religious
landscape in Australia in relation
to:
 Christianity as the major religious tradition
 immigration
 denominational switching
 rise of New Age religions
 secularism

4. Christianity as the major
religious tradition
 Colonisation
 Migration
 White Australia Policy

5. Immigration
 War
 WWII
 Vietnam
 White Australia Policy
 Assisted passage schemes
 Non Christian Traditions

6. Denominational switching
 Rise in variation of Christian denominations
 Revolving Door Syndrome

7. Rise of New age religions
 Focus on self and individual fulfillment
 Inspired by Eastern and indigenous concepts
 Response to a rejection of organised religion but still a
need for ‘spirituality’
 Various forms

8. Secularism
 Pluralism
 Individualism
 Materialism
 Skepticism