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Census figures on religion in Australia released last Thursday once again paint a picture of change in the religious composition of Australia. The headline of course is the rise in those declaring that they have 'no religion' from 18.7% to 22.3%. This looks like a tale of the demise of religion. But wait, there is more. Much more.
The biblical injunction that Christians 'Give to God the things due to God and to Caesar the things due to Caesar' does not legitimise the separation of church and state. We live in a time when religious voices have returned with greater strength to the arenas of civil discourse.
If the aim is to inform students about religions, this is best done within the curriculum by people trained to deliver such content in a way that engenders respect for all religions. Problems arise if the goal is to produce believers in a particular religion.
Renowned sociologist Gary Bouma is one of most respected observers of religion in this country. He predicts that, by 2021, less than 50 per cent of Australians will call themselves Christian.