Religion and Change in Australia

<p>This timely book offers a panoramic overview of the enduring significance of religion in modern Australian society. Applying sociological perspectives and contemporary theories of religion in society it challenges conventional assumptions around the extent of secularisation in Australia and instead argues that religious institutions groups and individuals have proved remarkably adaptable to social change and continue to play a major role in Australian life. In doing so it explores how religion intersects with a wide range of other contemporary issues including politics race migration gender and new media.</p><p>Religion and Change in Australia explores Australia's unique history regarding religion. Christianity was originally imported as a tool of social control to keep convicts settlers and Australian Aboriginal peoples in check. This had a profound impact on the social memory of the nation and lingering resentment towards the excessive presence of religion continues to be felt today. Freedom of religion was enshrined in Section 116 of the Australian Constitution in 1901. Nevertheless the White Australia Policy effectively prevented adherents of non-Christian faiths from migrating to Australia and the nation remained overwhelmingly Christian. However after WWII Australia in common with other western societies appears to have become increasingly secularised as religious observance declined dramatically. </p><p>However <i>Religion and Change in Australia</i> employs a range of social theories to challenge this securalist view and argues that Australia is a post-secular society. The 2016 census revealed that over half of the population still identify as Christian. In politics the socially conservative religious right has come to exert considerable influence on the ruling Liberal-National Coalition particularly under John Howard and Scott Morrison. New technologies such as the Internet and social media have provided new avenues for religious expression and proselytisation whilst so-called megachurches have been built to cater to their increasing congregations. The adoption of multiculturalism and increased immigration from Asia has led to a religiously pluralist society though this has often been controversial. In particular the position of Islam in Australia has been the subject of fierce debate and Islamophobic attitudes remain common. Atheism non-belief and alternative spiritualities have also become increasingly widespread especially amongst the young.</p><p>Religion and Change in Australia analyses these developments to offer new perspectives on religion and its continued relevance within Australian society. This book is therefore a vital resource for students academics and general readers seeking to understand contemporary debates surrounding religion and secularisation in Australia.</p>