Religion and Change in Australia

This timely book offers a panoramic overview of the enduring significance of religion in Australia. Drawing on both foundational and contemporary studies of religion and society, it contests 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. After the Second World War, Australia, in common with other Western societies, appeared to have become increasingly secularised. Religious observance declined dramatically, and it was commonplace to speak of Australia in the post-war period as a secular society. However, Religion and Change in Australia challenges this view. The 2016 census revealed that over half of the population still identify as Christian, whilst in politics, the religious right has come to exert considerable influence on the Liberal-National Coalition, and has led to a normalisation of religion in political discourse. Further, new technologies, such as the internet and social media, have provided additional avenues for religious expression and proselytization, in conjunction with so-called 'Mega-Churches' that have been built to cater to their increasing congregations. The adoption of multiculturalism and immigration from Asia has also 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 still remain. Atheism, non-belief and alternative spiritualities have also become increasingly widespread, especially amongst the young. Given these developments, and firmly grounded in history, Religion and Change in Australia argues that if Australia is today a post-secular society, the processes of desecularisation are not uniform, and have manifested differently at the micro, meso and macro level. In doing so, it draws on sociological perspectives and explores how religion intersects with a wide range of other contemporary issues, including politics, race, migration, gender, and new media. This book is therefore a vital resource for students, academics and general readers seeking to understand contemporary debates surrounding religion and secularisation in Australia.