Short+answers+'Religious+Expression+in+Australia'


 * Religious Expression in Asutralia - 1945 to the present. SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS.**


 * Question one:** Account for the present religious landscape in Australia as a result of immigration.

There are many reasons for the present religious landscape within Australia as outlined in the Religious in Australia: Census data 1047-2001. After the Second World War religious landscape in Australia has become more diverse as a result of immigration. Immigration has had the most theatrical change, leading to an increase in some religious groups and decline in others. This was show in the data as Christianity became diverse and other religions increased as a result of immigration.
 * Answer:**

The impact of immigration introduced migrants after the Second World War in which Australian Christianity became divided by ‘ethic’ lines thus increasing proportion and diversity of catholic’s in Australia. There were more migrants from Asia and Europe, which not only increased the pluralism within Christianity, but introduced other religious traditions. The religious landscape in Australia changed from Christianity becoming more diverse such as an increase in Anglican, Orthodox, Catholic beliefs. By the early 1960’s immigration from traditional countries decreased and other religions, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism and Muslim increased as a result.

Australia first upheld a ‘White Australian Policy’ in which immigration was restricted to Irish, British and Europeans. This policy was criticised by religious and other groups and was seen as unsuccessful as Australia was in need for a stronger demand to increase population. A ‘Populate or Perish’ policy was introduced increasing the number of Catholics, Orthodox etc.

In 1970’s the ‘White Australian Policy’ was abolished which lead to an increased migration from South East Asia and the Middle East. In Australia from 1991-1996 Hinduism increased by 54% and in 1996, just under 200,000 people identified themselves as believers of Buddha. By 2001, this number of followers of Buddha had risen to 360,000. This shows a remarkable growth in the increase of Buddhism in Australia showing diversity and multiculturalism acceptance in Australia.


 * Question two:** Explain how denominational switching had changed Australia religious landscape.

Denominational switching is when a person changes from one denomination to another in which they feel more comfortable or enthusiastic. There are many reasons to why denominational switching has changed religious landscape. A fundamentalist religious movement in a common reason were people change from Catholicism to Pentecostalism as its more relevant to modern-day life and the feel more comfortable and enthusiastic. An example of this is when a person changing from Pentecostalism to hill sung.
 * Answer:**

The Pentecostal movement is made up of many different churches and sub-religions grouped together from a similar emphasis or belief. The Pentecostal is spirit driven and the belief is of the Holy Spirit signified by speaking in tongues. Speaking with tongues is significant for proof of the Holy Spirit Baptism. Pentecostalism has increased dramatically since the 1980’s as a direct result of denomination switching, thus resulting into the fastest growing Christian Denomination in Australia. However they also have the highest rate of people leaving the denomination. This means that Pentecostal Churches have the greatest number of switcher ‘in’ and they also have the greatest number of switchers ‘out’ and also drifters. In 2001 Australia adherents estimated 195,000 a direct result from rapid growth in Pentecostalism.

In 2001 National Church Life survey was conducted and results show that followers of God and Christian Churches increased by 14% from 1996-2001. The survey also shows that 20% of Christianity followers had left church and church life altogether. Conservation denominations have remained very small denominations on the religious scene in Australia as these churches offer what churchgoers seek for. However those who enter a church for individual motives in the end leave for example the Pentecostal Churches have become in relation to a revolving door in the sense that many walk in and many walk out.

[|Christianity]