Religion Secularism Essay

Submitted By juytr40
Words: 1751
Pages: 8
Open Document
Religion Essay
The impact secularism has upon the place of religion in Australian society
Introduction
Secularism has had a significant impact upon the place of Christianity in the Australian society. The religious face of Australia has changed in several major respects [since colonisation] but has not fundamentally departed from Christianity. The rise of secularism is reflected in the increasing proportion of people claiming to have no religion. Australia is a predominantly Christian country, however in recent years there has been a strong growth in groups that describe themselves as not having a religion and in religious minorities including Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. Therefore, having an understanding of the term secularism and the place of religion in society will enable to clearly understand the impact of secularism has upon the place of Christianity in Australian society.
What is Secularism?
Secularism is a philosophy indicating that human ethics and the universe should be understood without any reference to institutionalised religion. The rise of secularism is reflected in the increasing proportion of people claiming to have no religion. Secularists comprise of people who deny all matters of religion, as well as people who claim to be spiritual. A society may be secular in the “first sense of religion not being a part of public life, the so-called separation of Church and State (Source E).” It may be secular in the second sense of “declining religious belief and practice (Source E).” Finally it may be secular in the sense of secularism “emerging as an alternative belief form (Source E).” Furthermore, Secularism seeks to ensure and protect freedom of religious belief and practice for all citizens. The concept of secularism is not about curtailing religious freedoms; it is about ensuring that the freedoms of thought and conscience apply equally to all believers and non-believers alike. In a secular democracy “all citizens are equal before the law and parliament” (Source C). No religious or political affiliation gives advantages or disadvantages and religious believers are citizens with “the same rights and obligations as anyone else” (Source C). Secularism champions human rights above discriminatory religious demands. “It upholds equality laws that protect minorities” (Source C). These equality laws ensure that non-believers have the same rights as those who identify with a religious or philosophical belief. Therefore, “Secularism is the best chance we have to create a society in which people of all religions or none can live together fairly and peacefully (Source C).”

Moreover, Secularism also ensures that religious beliefs are not the guiding force in the matters of modern day ethics. Government decisions are made in relation to ethical debates including those relating to abortion, euthanasia, IVF treatments as well as the debate on the legislation of Gay Marriage. Whilst religious opinions are sought on these issues, their places in these debates hold no more value than their relativist counterpart. Many government policies display secular values as they are based on secular ethical theories rather than religious ones, examples may include utilitarianism and situation ethics, as they are subjective rather than objective in their nature. The rise of secularism is reflected in the increasing proportion of people claiming to have “no religion”. In 2006, the Census recorded that “3 708 554 Australians had ‘No Religion’, while 2 223 957 declined to answer the optional question (Source G).” “Christianity remains the dominant religion” (Source A), however in recent years there has been a strong growth in groups that describe themselves as not having a religion and in religious minorities including Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. Australia is not a particularly religious country compared to many and religion has rarely played a critical role in public life and debates. This suggests that 30 per cent of
Show More

Related Documents: Religion Secularism Essay

The Rise Of Secularism In Australia

Secularism is the principle of separation of the state from religious institutions (Oxford Dictionaries I English, 2017). Religion is an important part in an individual’s life and shapes their identity. There has been a significant growth of religion and belief systems in Australia post 1945. The increase of secularism resulted in an increased level of people, nearly 30% of the Australian population, classify themselves as having ‘no religion’. The factors that have a huge contribution in shaping…

Words 206 - Pages 1

Essay on Religion: Religion and Long Time Wars

Religion The stereotype activity in the class was interesting to learn what is most of my classmate thinking about any subject such as religion and race and genders, so I chose to talk about religion in this paper, and the definition of the religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence. And the most common religions are the Abrahamic religions are monotheistic religions, which believe, they descend from Abraham (Judaism…

Words 428 - Pages 2

Secularism In The 21st Century

Brett Dunkley PHIL 193-02 Ch13 Religion in the 21st century Due 5/6 2. Globalization is the process of mixing together people from different regions which were once isolated from each other. Secularism is the process of people breaking away from their beliefs. Both of these ideas have made an impact on religion or perhaps the other way around. Religious conflict had arose from people because of the mixture of beliefs and the fact that they were co inhabiting with their religious enemies…

Words 300 - Pages 2

AP Human Geography Religion Notes Essay

Religion Unit Essay Notes 1. Secularism began to arise with the seperation of church and state in Europe. A. Why is this so? (Deblij 207, 222-224) Secularism is the indifference to or rejection of formal religion. The most secular countries today are in Europe. Secularism has become more widespread during the past century due to the rise in democracy. Democratic governments disadvantage the traditional practices of a religion because they offer freedom, whereas other forms of government may…

Words 1846 - Pages 8

Essay about French Veil

Yifei Ling Religion and Public Education in International Context Paper 2 Headscarf issue in France October 1989, three girls, Smira, and sisters Leila and Fatima Achboun-,were suspended from the Gabriel -Havez Middle School in the town of Creil after refusing to remove their headscarves at their principal’s demand (France, 119). After several rounds of negotiation, the parents and the school board compromised that, the girls could wear headscarves in school, but not during classes. However, when…

Words 1277 - Pages 6

French Revolution Research Paper

Terrorism is increasingly prevalent within today’s society in the forms of social media, news outlets, and word of mouth. It is a danger that has become a widespread phenomenon over the past few years. However, people are unaware of where the foundations of modern terrorism lie. The belief is that the French Revolution was the catalyst that began modern terrorism and it is the reason France is incredibly susceptible to terror attacks in the present. The multitude of terror attacks on France’s soil…

Words 1978 - Pages 8

Jews: Christianity and New Age Religions Essay

relation to: The current religious landscape Students learn to: Account for the present religious landscape in Australia in relation to: Christianity as a major religious tradition Immigration Denominational switching Rise of New Age religions Secularism Christianity as the major religious tradition The significant decline in the number of Christians regularly attending religious services, especially in the Anglican, Uniting Church and Presbyterian denominations, can be attributed to the…

Words 795 - Pages 4

Essay about Religious Intolerance around the World

Anti Religion Today we have many different cultures, societies, and religions spread around the world. Most of these cultures and religion originated in the past, ancient world to us. The religions and cultures were spread through different ways by each country or religion, some used teachings and education, while others used violence and enforcement of religion. Religion in cultures and society is made important, of its effects of teaching morals, values, spirituality, and a guided path of life…

Words 1286 - Pages 6

Protestant Reformation Dbq Analysis

The Protestant Reformation was caused in part because of growing resentment regarding the Catholic Church’s secularism, corruption, and monopoly on Truth. The cause of the Reformation is often accredited to Martin Luther, however, many fail to realize that preceding intellectual change aided in the call for reform. Regardless, Luther’s Ninety-five Theses caused people to think, which ultimately ended in separation from the Church. From about 1450 to 1520, popes cared more about political affairs…

Words 775 - Pages 4

Essay on Separation of Church and State

relationship between organized religion and the nation state. It may refer to creating a secular state, with or without explicit reference to such separation, or to changing an existing relationship of church involvement in a state (disestablishment). Although the concept of separation has been adopted in a number of countries, there are varying degrees of separation depending on the applicable legal structures and prevalent views toward the proper relationship between religion and politics. While a country's…

Words 339 - Pages 2