Dr Paul Allen

CHURCHES MUST CHANGE - BRIAN HOUSTON , HILLSONG The census results that revealed a small drop in the number of people calling themselves “Christian”, and less people identifying themselves as being affiliated with any religion, should be a wake-up call for the Christian church across Australia . While these results were not unexpected, the census also showed the changing social values our country is facing including a rise in the number of people following the Muslim faith. Again, this is not surprising, as it is clear that Australia’s immigration policies are having an impact on the texture and makeup of our society. Yet as a Christian pastor it does concern me that what I see as the foundations of our community — the values that bring us together — are being diminished, and the faith that has shaped our nation for so long is declining. While many Australians are not practising Christians and value, as I do, the many different cultures that form our country, I believe th

The latest census figures showing a rise in the number of people reporting no religious affiliation do not show Australia is losing faith. 2016 Census figures, show the proportion of people reporting no religion increased to 30 percent in 2016 - up eight percent in five years, and nearly double the 16 per cent recorded in the 2001 census. Australia is still a predominantly religious country. “Over 60 percent of people said they had some affiliation with religion and the number of people who say they have no religion - it doesn't really tell us much about them. Some of those people are decided Atheists perhaps, many are just not committed and we know that some of those people would certainly say they have a spirituality, some kind of connection with God but they just don't identify with institutional religion. So that number is a bit opaque, we don't get the whole picture from the figures. The census form also changed last year, putting 'no religion' as the to