The initiatives taken by Christianity in Australia in
the area of public morality prior to 1945
Definition of public morality
Public morality refers to the attempts made by the more conservative elements
within Christian denominations to enforce certain moral values through legislation.
Public morality targeted issues such as sabbatarianism, sexual morality, and the
consumption of alcohol and gambling. Despite the well intended attempts at social
control public morality legislation was not always successful and in fact it has
contributed to society's ambivalent attitude towards religion.
Sabbatarianism
The fact that the colony was set up with the Church of England as the established
religion provided for the strong influence of the Church of England in the colony and
the demand for Sabbath observance is an indicator of this influence. The colonial
government's requirement of Sabbath observance was the compulsory attendance of
Church of England services for all convicts both English and Irish. The intention of
this requirement was to seek too improve the moral character of the convicts. The
requirement of Sabbath observance was met which resistance from both English and
Irish convicts. The strong stance on Sabbath observance supported by the evangelical
groups of Christians resulted in legislation abolishing recreational activities along
with servile and commercial labour on Sundays. In practice however, many people
belonging to the Church of England and the Catholic Church held more lenient views
concerning recreational activities on the Sabbath while opposing servile labour and
commercial activities.
Sexual morality
Christianity had a very significant and clearly identifiable effect concerning sexual
morality. There was widespread opposition from all Christian denominations
towards extramarital relationships, homosexuality, and divorce. With such unified
religious opposition to these perceived instances of immorality it is not surprising that
laws governing sexual morality were quite strict and divorce laws ensured that it
was difficult to terminate a marriage in any circumstances.
Temperance movement
The temperance movement was mostly sponsored by the desire of Protestant
denominations who wished to reduce alcohol consumption. Some conservative
elements among the Protestant groups believed that total abstinence was necessary.
The temperance movement called upon men to take a pledge to abstain from
alcohol. In order to promote this pledge of abstinence the sponsors of the temperance
movement made considerable use of women to convince their husbands, brothers and
sons to take the pledge. Women were often prepared to support the temperance
movement as women were most frequently the victims of alcohol related
problems. The temperance movement had considerable influence on early Australian
society. Despite the influence of the temperance movement, legislation to prohibit the
selling of liquor in Australia was never achieved as the Church of England and
Catholic Church authorities generally saw no harm of the drinking alcohol in
moderation.
Banning of gambling
Christianity was influential in the banning of gambling in early Australian society
because gain by methods other than honest labour was denounced by most Christian
denominations. The Catholic Church, however, did not hold any moral objections to
gambling providing that it was not excessive.
Overall effect of public morality legislation
In general these attempts at social control, often referred to as wowserism, were
viewed negatively and led to the gradual lessening of religious influence on society.
Eventually the refusal of the majority of Australians to accept social control by
religious authority resulted in a more secular society. The public morality debates also
heightened the religious tensions between the Church of England, the Catholic
Church, and the conservative Protestant denominations in early Australian society.