Secularisation in Australia between 1966 and 1985 A Research Note

Abstract

The declining role of churches in Australian social life in recent years is generally accepted but the empirical data showing whereby this sudden decline occurred are poorly documented. Surveys from the last twenty years in Australia are used to document changes in indicators of church organised religious involvement. Declines are observed in church affiliation, church attendance, strength of belief in God, prayer, and numbers of Catholic religious and priests. Declines on all indicators occur in all age cohorts but are strongest in youngest age groups. Across the time period considered, women in their late twenties in the mid-1960s generally show the greatest declines whereas it is younger groups of men who change most. Catholics show lesser declines than other major churches in affiliation, attendance, belief in God and prayer. However there have been dramatic declines in numbers of Catholic religious and priests. The evidence supports an argument about changed childhood socialisation to religion and, for women only, competing socialisation in adult life. The evidence, however, should not be construed to show a continuous erosion of religion with 'modernisation'. It shows merely a period through the 1960s and 1970s when churches declined in power and influence.