HSC HSC Studies of Studies of ReligionReligion

Task: Task: Religion and Belief Systems in Religion and Belief Systems in

Australia Post 1945Australia Post 1945General FeedbackGeneral Feedback

General FeedbackGeneral Feedback Use of stimulus:Use of stimulus:

Most referred directly to stimulus. Most referred directly to stimulus. Majority used percentages rather than actual full Majority used percentages rather than actual full

numbers. This is preferred.numbers. This is preferred. Some misinterpreted the information or Some misinterpreted the information or

misunderstood nature of the stimulus.misunderstood nature of the stimulus. Don’t add up statistics. Only use what is provided.Don’t add up statistics. Only use what is provided. Use the statistics to back up your point (with own Use the statistics to back up your point (with own

research and reading).research and reading). Use your statistics first and then justify their use Use your statistics first and then justify their use

with your points and arguments. Don’t put your with your points and arguments. Don’t put your stats in the last paragraph. It looks like a token stats in the last paragraph. It looks like a token effort and makes your answer disjointed.effort and makes your answer disjointed.

Addressing the question – Most understood nature of the Addressing the question – Most understood nature of the question. Remember that the key verbs were underlined. question. Remember that the key verbs were underlined.

Use both the stimulus and your own wide reading from a Use both the stimulus and your own wide reading from a number of sources to address the question.number of sources to address the question.

Trying to use examples from your own experience only Trying to use examples from your own experience only (your own understanding of contemporary society / (your own understanding of contemporary society / Christian practice etc) left the answer without strength. Christian practice etc) left the answer without strength. Your text and readings provide plenty of reasons to refer to.Your text and readings provide plenty of reasons to refer to.

Remember that you should structure your answer with a Remember that you should structure your answer with a short paragraph on each main point. (for short responses short paragraph on each main point. (for short responses like these)like these)

Some listed the points in one paragraph rather than Some listed the points in one paragraph rather than explained them. Some concentrated on one point and spent explained them. Some concentrated on one point and spent too long on it. Keep a balance to earn the most marks.too long on it. Keep a balance to earn the most marks.

Most went straight into their points. This was good. Some Most went straight into their points. This was good. Some wrote essay like introductions which were very general in wrote essay like introductions which were very general in nature, but didn’t really say much. Get straight to the main nature, but didn’t really say much. Get straight to the main points in short responses.points in short responses.

Listen carefully to verbal as well as written instructions. Listen carefully to verbal as well as written instructions. You were all told You were all told notnot to type up your answers and stick to type up your answers and stick them on. This disadvantages the rest of the group who them on. This disadvantages the rest of the group who wrote them (you can fit more typed words on a line than wrote them (you can fit more typed words on a line than written words).written words).

General tipsGeneral tips Read everything you can get your hands on before Read everything you can get your hands on before

starting a question. Wide reading leads to stronger starting a question. Wide reading leads to stronger answersanswers

Plan your time effectively. 5 weeks should have been Plan your time effectively. 5 weeks should have been plenty. Some answers look very hurried, unplanned plenty. Some answers look very hurried, unplanned and were not edited.and were not edited.

In a task like this, the answers you handed in should In a task like this, the answers you handed in should not have been your first attempt. Draft and refine your not have been your first attempt. Draft and refine your work.work.

Get someone else to read your work before handing it Get someone else to read your work before handing it in. Sometimes answers that make sense to you may in. Sometimes answers that make sense to you may not be easily understood by others.not be easily understood by others.

Make sure you understand terminology. Make sure you understand terminology. Denominational switching was misused by some Denominational switching was misused by some students to refer to changing from one religion to students to refer to changing from one religion to another. It only refers to changing between variants another. It only refers to changing between variants (denominations) of one religion.(denominations) of one religion.

1) Explain1) Explain the term Native the term Native Title and its significance Title and its significance

to Aboriginal Land to Aboriginal Land Rights. (8 lines – 3 Rights. (8 lines – 3

marks)marks) The High Court case in 1992 of Mabo vs. Queensland The High Court case in 1992 of Mabo vs. Queensland first found that Native Title existedfirst found that Native Title existed

The Native title act of 1993 recognised the existence The Native title act of 1993 recognised the existence of Native Title in law.of Native Title in law.

It laid down the guidelines and structures by which It laid down the guidelines and structures by which Indigenous people could pursue Native Title in cases Indigenous people could pursue Native Title in cases where it is believed that their traditional rights had where it is believed that their traditional rights had not been extinguished. This gave them access to their not been extinguished. This gave them access to their land and therefore their spirituality.land and therefore their spirituality.

This overturned the misconception of ‘Terra Nullius’ This overturned the misconception of ‘Terra Nullius’ Legitimate purchase of land did extinguish Native Legitimate purchase of land did extinguish Native

TitleTitle The case didn’t look at the issue of Pastoral Leases.The case didn’t look at the issue of Pastoral Leases.

2) With reference to the 2) With reference to the stimulus above, stimulus above, explainexplain the the

significance of the Mabo significance of the Mabo decision for black and decision for black and

white Australia. (16 lines – white Australia. (16 lines – 4 marks)4 marks)

The term Mabo refers to the 1992 Australia High The term Mabo refers to the 1992 Australia High Court judgement in the Mabo v. Queensland Court judgement in the Mabo v. Queensland case. Murray (Mer) Island people led by Eddie case. Murray (Mer) Island people led by Eddie Mabo sought title over their traditional lands.Mabo sought title over their traditional lands.

The Court found that land title of Indigenous The Court found that land title of Indigenous people was recognised under Common Law.people was recognised under Common Law.

The decision meant that where indigenous The decision meant that where indigenous people could show continuous occupancy of and people could show continuous occupancy of and connection with their traditional lands, that was connection with their traditional lands, that was in accordance with their traditions, Native Title in accordance with their traditions, Native Title could be said to exist, unless specifically could be said to exist, unless specifically extinguished by the Crown.extinguished by the Crown.

It rejected absolutely the early colonists concept It rejected absolutely the early colonists concept of ‘Terra Nullius’, the belief that Australia was of ‘Terra Nullius’, the belief that Australia was unoccupied and had no prior system of land unoccupied and had no prior system of land ownershipownership

It gave no new rights to Indigenous people, It gave no new rights to Indigenous people, rather it recognised their traditional legal rights.rather it recognised their traditional legal rights.

The stimulus shown is part of an anti-Mabo The stimulus shown is part of an anti-Mabo campaign, that was developed within mainstream campaign, that was developed within mainstream white Australia during the court case.white Australia during the court case.

It was feared by many non-indigenous people that It was feared by many non-indigenous people that the Mabo Decision would ‘ruin economies, arrest the Mabo Decision would ‘ruin economies, arrest development, lower living standards, change life development, lower living standards, change life styles and divide Australia society’styles and divide Australia society’

The anti-Mabo campaigners tried to emphasis the The anti-Mabo campaigners tried to emphasis the importance of treating everyone equally, and not importance of treating everyone equally, and not granting Indigenous people ‘extra’ rights.granting Indigenous people ‘extra’ rights.

They developed a scare campaign about the They developed a scare campaign about the possibility of Indigenous people claiming Native possibility of Indigenous people claiming Native Title over individuals homes.Title over individuals homes.

This was a misconceived concept, as the Mabo did This was a misconceived concept, as the Mabo did not give new rights to Indigenous people, it not give new rights to Indigenous people, it recognised their traditional rights, to land that had recognised their traditional rights, to land that had not been legitimately purchased, and continuous not been legitimately purchased, and continuous connections with the land could been proven.connections with the land could been proven.

3) 3) DescribeDescribe the importance the importance of the Wik decision on of the Wik decision on

Aboriginal Land Rights (21 Aboriginal Land Rights (21 lines – 5 marks)lines – 5 marks)

The Native Title act of 1993 did not resolve the The Native Title act of 1993 did not resolve the question of whether granting pastoral leases question of whether granting pastoral leases extinguished Native Title. extinguished Native Title.

The Wik decision, which clarified this issue was The Wik decision, which clarified this issue was handed down by the High Court in 1996.handed down by the High Court in 1996.

The Wik People sought Native Title over traditional The Wik People sought Native Title over traditional lands which were at the time under pastoral leases in lands which were at the time under pastoral leases in North Queensland. Some of this land was used to run North Queensland. Some of this land was used to run cattle, but mostly it was unused except for its cattle, but mostly it was unused except for its traditional occupation by the Wik people.traditional occupation by the Wik people.

The court found that the lease, although allowing the The court found that the lease, although allowing the pastoralists certain rights to run cattle, did not pastoralists certain rights to run cattle, did not extinguish Native Title, that the two could co-exist.extinguish Native Title, that the two could co-exist.

The court ruled that where there was conflict between The court ruled that where there was conflict between the two, the pastoral lease would prevail, but it did not the two, the pastoral lease would prevail, but it did not confer exclusive rights of ownership.confer exclusive rights of ownership.

Pastoralists where then given certainty to Pastoralists where then given certainty to continue with grazing and related activities continue with grazing and related activities such as building dams and fences.such as building dams and fences.

At the time of the decision around 42% of At the time of the decision around 42% of Australia’s mainland was covered by pastoral Australia’s mainland was covered by pastoral leases, so this gave Indigenous people right leases, so this gave Indigenous people right to access their traditional lands which they to access their traditional lands which they had been previously locked out of, and had been previously locked out of, and increased the amount of Native Title claims.increased the amount of Native Title claims.

This decision also allowed Indigenous people This decision also allowed Indigenous people to negotiate directly with pastoralists, to negotiate directly with pastoralists, outside of the courts.outside of the courts.

This was a major step forward for indigenous This was a major step forward for indigenous people as it allowed them to access their people as it allowed them to access their lands, to regain their sense of identity lands, to regain their sense of identity through the Dreaming and their spirituality.through the Dreaming and their spirituality.

4) With reference to the 4) With reference to the stimulus (Change in stimulus (Change in religious affiliations religious affiliations (1996-2006 Census), (1996-2006 Census),

accountaccount for the for the significant increase in significant increase in

religious affiliation religious affiliation within the Buddhist and within the Buddhist and

Hindu religious Hindu religious traditions in Australia. traditions in Australia.

(3 marks – 8 lines)(3 marks – 8 lines)

Refers directly to stimulusRefers directly to stimulus Large increase in immigration from Asian Large increase in immigration from Asian

countries where Buddhism or Hinduism is countries where Buddhism or Hinduism is the predominant religious tradition.the predominant religious tradition.

Provides some examples of such countries.Provides some examples of such countries. Buddhist / Hindu immigrants from Asian Buddhist / Hindu immigrants from Asian

Countries having children who are brought Countries having children who are brought up in parents religious tradition.up in parents religious tradition.

Changes to Australia’s immigration policies Changes to Australia’s immigration policies since abolition of White Aust Policy allowed since abolition of White Aust Policy allowed for Asian immigration.for Asian immigration.

Rising population of Eastern religions Rising population of Eastern religions amongst Anglo-celtic (and/or European) amongst Anglo-celtic (and/or European) Australians. Australians.

5) With reference to the 5) With reference to the stimulus (Change in stimulus (Change in religious affiliations religious affiliations (1996-2006 Census), (1996-2006 Census), suggestsuggest and and briefly briefly

explainexplain the reasons why the reasons why the Anglican, the Anglican,

Presbyterian and Presbyterian and Reformed Variants of Reformed Variants of

Christianity have Christianity have experienced negative experienced negative

growth rates. growth rates. (15 lines – 4 marks)(15 lines – 4 marks)

Refers directly to stimulusRefers directly to stimulus Explains Denominational switchingExplains Denominational switching Describes the current denominational switching Describes the current denominational switching

trend of moving from liberal / traditional churches trend of moving from liberal / traditional churches to more conservative evangelical / Pentecostal to more conservative evangelical / Pentecostal churches with conservative theology. Expecting churches with conservative theology. Expecting higher levels of commitment / accountability.higher levels of commitment / accountability.

Pentecostal churches (eg Hillsong have Pentecostal churches (eg Hillsong have contemporary and engaging appeal) often have contemporary and engaging appeal) often have very aggressive evangelism. Younger people are very aggressive evangelism. Younger people are more attracted to this rather than traditional more attracted to this rather than traditional liberal churches. liberal churches.

Formation of Uniting Church (Presbyterian, Formation of Uniting Church (Presbyterian, Methodist, Congregationalist) in 1977, obviously Methodist, Congregationalist) in 1977, obviously took members from Presbyterian Church and other took members from Presbyterian Church and other reformed.reformed.

Aging population not replaced in churches with Aging population not replaced in churches with younger members (or immigrants with Anglican, younger members (or immigrants with Anglican, Pres and reformed affiliation are a much smaller Pres and reformed affiliation are a much smaller proportion of total immigrant population in proportion of total immigrant population in recent times).recent times).

Drifters: Not committing to a life long Drifters: Not committing to a life long commitment to one church. More likely to shop commitment to one church. More likely to shop around and look for stronger community, better around and look for stronger community, better preaching / pastoral care, differing theology, preaching / pastoral care, differing theology, engaging worship etc. engaging worship etc.

A growing trend of switchers and drifters A growing trend of switchers and drifters looking for more conservative theology and looking for more conservative theology and exclusivity and a deeper level of commitment. exclusivity and a deeper level of commitment. This ‘absolutism’ is possibly a reaction against This ‘absolutism’ is possibly a reaction against the post modern pluralistic approach to today’s the post modern pluralistic approach to today’s subjectivity and individualism.subjectivity and individualism.

6) With reference to the 6) With reference to the stimulus (Change in stimulus (Change in

religious affiliations (1996-religious affiliations (1996-2006 Census), 2006 Census), outlineoutline end end

explainexplain the reasons why the the reasons why the ‘No Religion’ category has ‘No Religion’ category has

experienced significant experienced significant growth between 1996 – growth between 1996 –

2006. (17 lines – 4 Marks)2006. (17 lines – 4 Marks)

Refers directly to stimulus ie 25.7% rise in Refers directly to stimulus ie 25.7% rise in no religion.no religion.

Main reason: Rise in secularism (a trend Main reason: Rise in secularism (a trend not an organised movement)not an organised movement)

Sexual abuse of children by clergy. Has Sexual abuse of children by clergy. Has led to loss of moral authority, respect and led to loss of moral authority, respect and trust. trust.

Rise of individualism over community Rise of individualism over community /society values and norms. Individuals /society values and norms. Individuals make moral decisions without guidance of make moral decisions without guidance of a church. Acceptance of pluralism of a church. Acceptance of pluralism of thought.thought.

Privacy issues in filling census. May be Privacy issues in filling census. May be distorted figure. Eg. Australian Jews distorted figure. Eg. Australian Jews

Introduction of ‘No religion’ category in Introduction of ‘No religion’ category in Resurgence of rationalist / humanist ideas Resurgence of rationalist / humanist ideas

originating during the enlightenment. Science, originating during the enlightenment. Science, logic and reason was determined to be more logic and reason was determined to be more suitable for matters of state than religious suitable for matters of state than religious principles. This has led to a trend away from principles. This has led to a trend away from religious adherence.religious adherence.

General trend of suspicion / rejection of authority General trend of suspicion / rejection of authority figures (Gov’t, church), because of patriarchal figures (Gov’t, church), because of patriarchal nature.nature.

Feminism, civil rights movement (in USA).Feminism, civil rights movement (in USA). Established religion has lost its monopoly of Established religion has lost its monopoly of

influence on answering the basic / fundamental influence on answering the basic / fundamental questions of life.questions of life.

Materialism has replaced Supreme being for Materialism has replaced Supreme being for worship.worship.

Religion no longer serving a purpose in the lives of Religion no longer serving a purpose in the lives of peoplepeople

A sign of the times is the opening up of many “New Age” shops, selling things from

crystals to books on Eastern philosophies. There is a real smorgasbord of products

aimed at those who are “shopping around” for things spiritual. It suits our pluralistic,

consumer age.

Yet it is also a sign of the spiritual confusion of our times. Many years ago, a work

colleague of mine said that he didn't belong to any church. He was a “Callithumpian,” he said. I wish I had known the real meaning of the word at the time. “Callithumpian” comes from “calathus”, Latin for a rubbish bin, and it means that the person has retrieved all the

ideas that other people have rejected and thrown out.

Source: The Challenge of the New Age: Where Lies the Real Challenge?by Brian Incigneri http://www.ccr.org.au/newage.html

7)7) Describe Describe the rise of New the rise of New Age religions in Australia Age religions in Australia and with reference to the and with reference to the statement above, statement above, discussdiscuss

what impact they are what impact they are having on Australia’s having on Australia’s religious landscape religious landscape (25 lines – 5 marks)(25 lines – 5 marks)

Directly refers to stimulusDirectly refers to stimulus New Age religions suiting needs in New Age religions suiting needs in

contemporary society due to its contemporary society due to its individual nature. No corporate individual nature. No corporate worship, no need for conformity of worship, no need for conformity of practice, or commitment of membershippractice, or commitment of membership

Abandonment of religious adherence Abandonment of religious adherence but continuing a spiritual search for but continuing a spiritual search for meaning. New age provides meaning. New age provides smorgasboard of beliefs, products and smorgasboard of beliefs, products and practices that meet the needs of practices that meet the needs of searchers. searchers.

Increased suspicion and disillusionment with Increased suspicion and disillusionment with authority since Vietnam (Civil rights and feminism authority since Vietnam (Civil rights and feminism movements). New Age religions provide an movements). New Age religions provide an alternative to this.alternative to this.

Church has provided in adequate spiritual Church has provided in adequate spiritual guidance, loss of moral authority, churches sexual guidance, loss of moral authority, churches sexual abuse scandals. abuse scandals.

Rise of individualism, inner potential, self help. Rise of individualism, inner potential, self help. This trend of finding one’s own spiritual fulfilment This trend of finding one’s own spiritual fulfilment rather than relying on religion to provide it.rather than relying on religion to provide it.

New Age movement a reflection of a consumerist New Age movement a reflection of a consumerist society. Shopping for spiritual fulfilment (Tarot, society. Shopping for spiritual fulfilment (Tarot, Palm readings etc and spiritual products (crystals, Palm readings etc and spiritual products (crystals, jewellry and services) as accepted as getting a jewellry and services) as accepted as getting a facial or massage.facial or massage.

Impact of New Age religions on Australia’s Impact of New Age religions on Australia’s religious landscapereligious landscape Australia has changed in nature from a Australia has changed in nature from a

predominantly Christian country to a multi predominantly Christian country to a multi cultural, multi-faith society. The new age cultural, multi-faith society. The new age movement has fulfilled a needed niche in what movement has fulfilled a needed niche in what has become a spiritual marketplace. The choice has become a spiritual marketplace. The choice of religious traditions (and the variants within of religious traditions (and the variants within them) available because of changed immigration them) available because of changed immigration policies and a trend away from community as policies and a trend away from community as the governing cultural influence has changed the governing cultural influence has changed the fabric of our nation’s culture. In an the fabric of our nation’s culture. In an increasingly, secular culture, New Age religions increasingly, secular culture, New Age religions have become an accepted way to fulfil a have become an accepted way to fulfil a person’s search for meaning.person’s search for meaning.