Religion and Belief Systems in Australia post-1945
16 indicative hours
The focus of this study is religious expression in Australia’s multicultural and multi-faith society since 1945. The study includes an
appreciation of Aboriginal spiritualities and their contribution to an understanding of religious beliefs and religious expression in
Australia today.
Syllabus Outcomes:
H1
H2
H3
H4
H5
H6
H8
H9
explains aspects of religion and belief systems
describes and analyses the influence of religion and beliefs systems on individuals and society
examines the influence and expression of religion and belief systems in Australia
describes and analyses how aspects of religious traditions are expressed by their adherents
evaluates the influence of religious traditions in the life of adherents
organises, analyses and synthesises relevant information about religion from a variety of sources, considering
usefulness, validity and bias
applies appropriate terminology and concepts related to religion and belief systems
coherently and effectively communicates complex information, ideas and issues using appropriate written, oral
and graphic forms
Incorporating a Catholic emphasis:
In approaching the teaching of this unit within the context of a Catholic Religious Education program it is expected that:
1. Each lesson would begin with prayer that is meaningful for students and pertinent to current local and global occurrences. Where possible prayer
should incorporate references to Church teachings and lived experience that relates to the content of the unit.
2. The role of the Catholic Church in the cause of justice for Aboriginal peoples be referred to. For example from Ecclesia in Oceania:
The time for rebirth is now".(99) The Church will support the cause of all indigenous peoples who seek a just and equitable recognition of their identity and
their rights;(100) and the Synod Fathers expressed support for the aspirations of indigenous people for a just solution to the complex question of the
alienation of their lands.(101)
3. At some stage in this unit Catholic teaching regarding ecumenical dialogue should be referred to. Catechism of the Catholic Church:
822 Concern for achieving unity "involves the whole Church, faithful and clergy alike." 287 But we must realize "that this holy objective - the reconciliation of all Christians in the
unity of the one and only Church of Christ - transcends human powers and gifts." That is why we place all our hope "in the prayer of Christ for the Church, in the love of the
Father for us, and in the power of the Holy Spirit."288
4. At some stage in this unit Catholic teaching regarding interfaith dialogue should be referred to. Catechism of the Catholic Church:
856 The missionary task implies a respectful dialogue with those who do not yet accept the Gospel. Believers can profit from this dialogue by learning to
appreciate better ‘those elements of truth and grace which are found among peoples, and which are, as it were, a secret presence of God.’
5. At the conclusion of this unit of study students will complete an activity on how the study of Relgion in Australia post-1945 has assisted them to reflect
on their Catholic faith in relation to such areas as personal witness, commitment to justice and awareness of Church teachings on issues of ecumenical
and interfaith dialogue.
Students learn about:
Students learn to:
CoContemporary Aboriginal
Spiritualities
Suggested Teaching and Learning Strategies
Preliminary link: Review
- the nature of the Dreaming;
- the inextricable connection of the Dreaming, the land and identity
1. Contemporary Aboriginal Spiritualities


Aboriginal spirituality as
determined by the
Dreaming

discuss how Aboriginal
spirituality is
determined by the
Dreaming
– kinship
– ceremonial life
– obligations to the
land and people
a. Use a variety of Dreaming stories to develop an understanding of the Dreaming as central to
Aboriginal belief and to reinforce the understanding that there are many spiritualities.
b. Using guest speakers, where possible, textbooks and other resources discuss the role of the
Dreaming in determining kinship, ceremonial life and obligations to the land and people.
c. Viva voce: to explain the connection between the Dreaming and kinship, ceremonial life and
obligations to the land and people.
2. Continuing effect of dispossession
issues for Aboriginal
spiritualities in relation
to:
– the effect of
dispossession
– the Land Rights
movement

discuss the continuing
effect of dispossession
on Aboriginal
spiritualities in relation
to:
– separation from the
land
– separation from
kinship groups
– the Stolen
Generations
a. Review the importance of land and kinship groups for Aboriginal peoples.
b. Research case studies of Aboriginal dispossession. For example from Bringing them Home
Use the Bringing Them Home educational website to assist with this – links to stories and other
support material: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/bth/index.htm
c. Research current statistics for Aboriginal peoples in Australia in relation to issues such as
health, employment and education.
The Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission has a section that will assist
this study: ‘A Statistical Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia’ http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_justice/statistics/index.html
d. Discuss the effects of dispossession on Aboriginal spiritualities
3. Land Rights
a. Ensure student understanding of: Native Title, Mabo and Wik

outline the importance
of the following for the
Land Rights
movement:
– Native Title
b. Describe the contribution of Native Title, Mabo and Wik to the Land Rights movement
c. Research case studies relating to Native Title that demonstrate the consequences of these
judgments.
–
–
Mabo
Wik
d. Discuss the connection between the Dreaming and the Land Rights movement
e. Writing Task: Analyse the importance of the Dreaming for the Land Rights Movement

analyse the importance
of the Dreaming for the
Land Rights movement
4. Changing patterns of religious adherence from 1945.
Religious expression in
Australia – 1945 to the
present

the religious landscape from
1945 to the present in
relation to
- changing patterns
of religious
adherence
-
the current religious
landscape
a. Discuss what statistics tell us about the current status of religious traditions and diversity within
traditions in Australia. Access the census data at the ABS site.
 outline changing patterns of
religious adherence from
1945 to the present using
census data
http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/9658217eba753c2cca256cae00053fa3?OpenDocument
Other useful sites include: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Australia
b. Research changes in the patterns of religious adherence over census periods since 1945.
c. Draw a table summarizing class findings on the changing patterns of religious adherence since
1945. Ensure that you highlight changes in numbers and the nature of adherents within traditions.
 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
d. Library research: In research teams conduct research on
-Christianity as the major religious tradition in Australia,
-patterns of immigration to Australia,
-denominational switching,
-the rise of New Age religions
-secularism.
Share these findings with the class as a multimedia presentation.
5. The ecumenical movement

Religious dialogue in multifaith Australia
- ecumenical
movements within
Christianity
 describe the impact of
Christian ecumenical
movements in Australia
- The National Council of
Churches
- NSW Ecumenical Council
a. Define ecumenism and list some examples of ecumenical activity in Australia
b. Visit the web pages for the NCCA and NSW Ecumenical Council.
http://www.ncca.org.au/
http://www.nswec.org.au/
Conduct research into the formation, history, mission and activities of these two Christian
organisations. Write a summary describing their impact on Christian denominations in Australia.
6. Interfaith Dialogue
-
interfaith dialogue
 Evaluate the importance of
interfaith dialogue in multifaith Australia
a. Define interfaith dialogue and list examples of interfaith dialogue in Australia
b. Conduct internet research into the variety
http://www.fecca.org.au/Interfaith/Constitution.html
http://www.affinity.org.au/
of
interfaith
groups
in
Australia.
c. Evaluate the impact of these groups on multi-faith Australian.
7. Aboriginal spiritualities and the process of Reconciliation
 the relationship
between Aboriginal
spiritualities and
religious traditions in
the process of
Reconciliation
 Examine the relationship
between Aboriginal
spiritualities and religious
traditions in the process of
Reconciliation
a. Define the Reconciliation movement and its significance to Aboriginal spiritualities
b. Outline significant events in the Reconciliation movement
c. Describe the response of religious traditions to Aboriginal spiritualities
d. Describe the involvement of religious traditions in the process of Reconciliation
Unit Reflection: How has the study of Religion in Australia Post 1945 assisted me to reflect
on my own faith and the support offered by my membership of the Catholic Church (or other
for non-Catholic students)
Bibliography
Carey, H, Believing in Australia
Hughes, P. (ed) Australia’s Religious Communities CDROM, Christian Research Association, 2004: http://www.cra.org.au
McClish, B, The Australian Church Story, Harper Collins, 1999.
Thompson, R, Religion in Australia: A History, Oxford University Press, 1994.
Goosen, G, Religion In Australian Culture: An anthropological View, St Paul’s Press, 1997
Additional Websites
ABC links – many useful/contemporary issues are covered: http://www.abc.net.au/religion/default.htm
Contemporary Aboriginal Spiritualities:
The Land Rights Act: http://www.nlc.org.au/html/land_act_act.html
Explanation concerning aspects of the Land Rights Act: http://www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au/care/land/alc/aboutalr.htm
Indigenous Australians information pertaining to Land Rights: http://indigenousaustralia.frogandtoad.com.au/land3.html
Australian Catholic Bishops' Committee for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: http://www.acbc.catholic.org.au/bc/atsip/index.asp
Ecclesia in Oceania: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_20011122_ecclesia-in-oceania_en.html
Jesuit Social Justice Centre: http://www.uniya.org/
Religion in Australia post 1945
Ecumenical groups: http://www.ncca.org.au/, http://www.nswec.org.au/
Interfaith groups: http://www.fecca.org.au/Interfaith/Constitution.html, http://www.affinity.org.au/
Australian Catholic Bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations: http://www.acbc.catholic.org.au/bc/ecumifr/index.asp
The Australian Council of Christians and Jews: http://www.ccjaustralia.org/en/
Article: Politics and Religion in Australia http://www.brisinst.org.au/resources/leet_martin_politics_religion.html
Christian Research Association of Australia: http://www.cra.org.au/pages/00000080.cgi
Australian Religion News – constantly updated search of references to religion in the media: http://www.einnews.com/australia/newsfeed-australia-religion