Religious+Expression+in+Australia+-+FAQs

In the figures of the National Church Life Survey, Australia's current religious landscape has majority of the data changed since 1945 till now. The many of reasons of this were because of //'Immigration, Denominational Switching, rise of New Age religions, Secularism and Christianity becoming a major religious tradition//'. In Immigration, it had the most dramatic effect towards some groups and the declination of others. In Australia, it has taken more immigrants than any other country in the world. Many of these immigrants came from Europe and had Christian backgrounds.(With the European settlement this contributed to the mass of Christianity becoming a major tradition in today's society) There was a 'massive post-war immigration' that altered the number of ethnic backgrounds in Australia. From the dramatic change in immigration, the Ethnic diversity was forced that not all Australians know that 'England or Ireland as their cultural homeland'. In doubt since 1945, the immigration of the Anglo-Celtic people in Australia is one of the most significant events in Australia's history. Denominational Switching was very popular towards the Protestants. In 1991 NCCA survey '29% of the respondents switched denomination within five years' (Studies of Religion Textbook - Third Edition) although the switching did range from a range of backgrounds groups. The most popular denomination with switchers were the 'Pentecostal Churches', they varied with the 'in', 'out' and drifter switchers but had a great number. With the new age and secularisation, it was of people separating themselves from religious influences while doing their 'own thing'. It was seen as a 'spiritual marketplace' which gave people an alternative on a traditional or institutional level of religion. For the followers of the New Age it wasn't easily categorised into any statistical data but was a challenge upon the traditional religion itself. Finally Christianity became a major tradition towards the impact of the Europeans. This began in the 1800's where the Europeans brought in their traditional churches which included: "the Church of England (now the Anglican Church), Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Congregationalist and Baptist Churches". (WYD 2008 Fact Sheet). Therefore from these reasons, Australia's Religious landscape since 1945 - present had dramatically changed with improvements of many denominations increasing and decreasing towards the religions in Australia.
 * 1. __Outline__ the examples of Australia's current Religious Landscape since 1945 - present and __explain__ the impact they had towards the religions in Australia.**

//Information used:// __**Textbook:**__ Morissey, J., Mudge, P., et al (2005) //Living Religion - Third Edition.// Pearson - Education Australia, Melbourne __**Fact Sheet:**__ Tourism Australia (2008) //World Youth Day Fact sheet (2008)// [Internet] Available from: <@http://www.tourism.australia.com/content/News%20Centre/factsheets/world_youth_day_religion_in_australia.pdf> 7th February, 2010.

2. __Describe__ the role of the //NCCA (National Catholic Churches of Australia)// and __explain__ the importance they have for the religions in Australia. **



The National Catholic Churches of Australia has an important role in contributing to the religions of Australia because they prevent racism and seek out to the many cultures here in the religions of Australia. The NCCA is an Ecumenical movement. Ecumenism is defined with the meaning of Christian Churches uniting together in a close bond based on belief. In the NCCA, it was first established in 1946 first being called 'The World Council of Churches' but became a national organisation in Australia that was in devastation of World War II. They're members involve 17 churches which include: "Anglicans, Lutherans, several orthodox churches (Antiochian, Coptic, Greek, Romanian, Syrian) Salvation Army, Uniting Church, Religions Society of Friends, the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Assyrian Church of the East, Churches of Christ, Chinese Methodist Church in Australia, Mar Thoma Church and the Congregation Federation" (Cambridge SOR Study Guide + NCCA website). Later on, did Roman Catholics joined who were and not apart of the 'World Council of Churches' although 'The Baptist and Presbyterian churches do not belong in this group'. In their organisation, they provide co-operation between the churches in informal and formal levels. This organisation plays an important role within the religions of Australia because they 'reverse the racist and discriminatory legislation that had been affecting the social dynamic in Australia' (Cambridge SOR Study Guide). The number of causes they're involved in include: advancing Indigenous rights, overseas aid, refugees and displaced people, women, environmental, youth and social justice issues along with peace and overcoming violence. With the many causes they hope to prevent, the benefits include: 'promoting unity, building up trust, assisting family unity and many more.' Therefore the National Catholic Churches of Australia is an important organisation with a ruthless movement against racism and towards multiculturalism.

__**Website:**__ 1. <@http://www.ncca.org.au/about/memberchurches> 2. NCCA (2009) National Council Churches of Australia [Internet] Available from: <@http://www.ncca.org.au/> 7th February, 2010.