Is Christianity Growing In Australia?
In recent times, many Australians have been questioning the status of Christianity in the country.What was once an undisputed cornerstone of Australian society appears to be eroding away, with the proportion of Australians who identify as religious declining.
According to census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the proportion of Australians who identify as having ‘no religion’ jumped from 18.7% in 2006 to 30.1% in 2016. At the same time, the proportion of Australians who identify as Christian dropped from 61.1% in 2006 to 52.1% in 2016. This prompted many to ask whether Christianity is indeed in decline in Australia.
Despite these figures, some experts have suggested that there is still hope for Christianity in Australia. One example is Dr Megan Best, the director of research at ACU’s Centre for Faith Enrichment. Dr Best suggests that while Christianity is certainly not as strong as it once was, there is still evidence that Christianity is “growing in decline”, rather than merely declining.
In particular, Dr Best highlights the fact that the rate of decline in ‘no religion’ respondents has been slower since 2011 compared to the rate of decline in Christianity. This suggests that while Christianity may be in decline, it is still attracting new adherents, and thus is likely to remain part of Australia’s religious panorama.
Likewise, Dr Best also notes the rise of evangelical Christianity in Australia in recent years. For example, Pentecostalism has become increasingly popular, with the number of churches in Australia surpassing the number of Anglican churches for the first time in 2019. Moreover, the number of Christian mission agencies, youth groups and Christian universities has increased in recent years, all providing evidence of a growth in evangelical Christianity.
At the same time, however, some experts have suggested that this growth in evangelical Christianity may come at the expense of more moderate forms of Christianity.Conducted by the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) in 2012, a survey found that while two thirds of Australians report a Christian affiliation, only a quarter attended church services on a regular basis. This suggests that the growth of evangelical Christianity has in part been driven by the movement of lapsed or moderate Christians towards evangelicalism.
Taboo Aspects of Christianity In Australia
In Australia, there also appears to be less popular support for certain aspects of Christianity.For example, while a majority of Australians still view religion as important, there is less support for traditional Christian views on gender roles and sexuality. This is supported by recent polling from the Australia Institute, which found that over two-thirds of Australians disagreed with the notion that women should be in subordinate roles to men.
Similarly, the same poll found that less than one third of Australians agreed with the statement that “sometimes it is necessary to discriminate against people who are different”. This suggests that Australians are increasingly rejecting conservative Christian views on gender, sexuality and diversity.
At the same time, however, Australia is not necessarily becoming more secular. For example, the Australia Institute’s polling found that the majority of Australians still view God as important in their lives, with the majority of respondents agreeing that “having faith makes a person’s life better”.Moreover, the same polling found that the majority of respondents were in favour of religious exemptions from anti-discrimination laws.
This suggests that while Australians may be less likely to embrace conservative Christian views, they still retain a strong belief in the importance of religion, and are therefore likely to ensure that Christianity remains part of the Australian religious landscape.
Social Engagement of Australian Christianity
Further evidence for the ongoing role of Christianity in Australia comes from the significant social engagement of Christian groups in Australia. For example, Christian aid agencies such as World Vision and Caritas have long been engaged in the delivery of humanitarian aid in Australia and around the world.They are joined by numerous churches which are engaged in local projects such as helping those in need, and providing counselling services.
Moreover, many Christian institutions engage in advocacy, attempting to influence public policy. For example, the Anglican Church has issued a number of statements in recent years calling for increased action on environmental issues. Likewise, the Uniting Church has issued several statements in support of refugees and asylum seekers, calling for a more compassionate attitude.
At the same time, communities of faith have also attempted to address other social issues.For instance, many churches have attempted to address domestic violence and abuse through initiatives such as White Ribbon and Safe Church. These initiatives suggest that many Christian communities are actively seeking to combat social and political issues.
Furthermore, these initiatives suggest that Australian Christianity is still vibrant, despite the erosion of its public standing. These initiatives demonstrate that Christianity is still engaged in important public debates and is still capable of influencing public policy.
The Role of Christian Media In Australia
Another interesting aspect of the current state of Christianity in Australia is the growth of Christian media in the country. In recent years, there has been a considerable expansion in the number of Christian radio, television and online ministries operating in Australia.These media organisations provide an important platform for Christian voices to be heard and their views to be communicated to a wider audience.
Moreover, the popularity of Christian media suggests that there is still strong public interest in religion and spirituality.In particular, the success of Christian radio stations such as Hope 103.2 and Vision Radio Australia are evidence of the ongoing presence of Christianity in Australia.
At the same time, Christian media can also serve to reinforce traditional Christian values, such as faith, love and hope.Moreover, Christian media can also serve to challenge certain aspects of modern society, such as consumerism and materialism.
Overall, the rise of Christian media suggests that despite declining public support for Christianity in Australia, there is still a great deal of interest in religious and spiritual topics. Moreover, it suggests that Christianity still has a powerful influence on many in Australia, and is likely to remain an important part of the religious landscape.
The Impact of Digital Technology On Christianity In Australia
In addition to Christian media, digital technology has also played an important role in the recent revitalisation of Christianity in Australia.For example, numerous churches have begun using social media, streaming of services and other digital tools in order to engage with people who may not be able to attend services in person.This suggests that churches are not just relying on traditional forms of communication, but are actively innovating in order to reach out to new potential members.
Furthermore, there has also been a growth in the use of online platforms by individual Christians.These platforms, such as blogs, podcasts and online groups, provide a space for Christian individuals to share their faith and engage in discussion with other Christians.
In addition, online platforms can also provide support for those who may not have access to a physical church.For example, numerous online communities have sprung up in recent years, providing a virtual space for those who may feel isolated by their faith or are unable to attend a physical church.
Overall, digital technology has provided a range of opportunities to revitalise Christianity in Australia.By expanding the range of communication tools available, digital technology has allowed churches to engage with more people, and for Christians to share their faith with a wider audience.
The Future of Christianity In Australia
Overall, there is still considerable public interest in Christian themes in Australia. Moreover, Christian communities and institutions continue to be engaged in significant public debates and initiatives. At the same time, digital technology has provided new opportunities for churches to engage with new potential members, and for Christians to share their faith online.
However, it is clear that the public support for Christianity in Australia is declining, and it is likely that this trend will continue in the future.At the same time, it is clear that Christianity will continue to play an important role in Australia’s religious landscape, and is likely to remain a significant force in Australian society.
