Well the official statistics are pointing to a secularisation of Australia – with more and more people declaring they have “No Religion”… We spoke this week to Dr John Dickson from the Centre for Public Christianity about this trend.
Despite the trend in secularisation, there also seems to be an increase in spiritual searching …
There’s a rise in things like popular New Age books and mind-body-spirit festivals; We now have a very publicly Christian prime minister; And a Federal Government that’s openly engaging in talks with religious leaders…
I’d like to hear what you make of it…
DISCUSSION POINTS
• What have you observed in your world - your community, family or perhaps workplace. Are people less accepting of traditional churches and religion? Are they talking about spiritual things less, or more?
• Were you one of those who ticked the No Religion box in the 2006 survey? If you did, tell us why. What did that mean for you? Was it because you don’t embrace any idea of God or spirituality? Or did you just want to move away from a traditional religious tag?
• And what did you think of John Dickson’s thoughts on the impact of secularisation on society … If Christianity declines, will our society suffer a decline in organised compassionate type initiatives?
• Is Australia becoming more Secular, or are we in fact becoming Spiritual in areas other than traditional organised religion?
Comments (1)
I am a christain man, 27, living in sydney south east.
I have been going to church all my life and i have seen the decline of the church. When i was a teenager a lot of my friends back then were on fire for God. Over the last 10 years most of my friends have left the church and and gotten into drugs or a party life style.
I really feel that the church for some people is starting to be a thing of the past. For me it has gotten to the point of some ex church goers saying your still in to that. Even some friends that are ex-church goers will say "I don't want to hear that Christian Jargon".
the way i see it the church is on the decline. the secular culture looks more enticing. Christian morals are a thing of the past.
Posted by Robert Luke | February 23, 2009 12:39 AM
Posted on February 23, 2009 00:39