1. Australians & the Church
in Changing Times:
Attitudes to Christianity & the Church.
Mark McCrindle
Friday 5 October 2012

2. Religious Affiliation
61.1%
61.1%
2.2%
2.2%
2.5%
2.5%
1.3%
1.3%
0.5%
0.5%
0.8%
0.8%
22.3%
22.3%
8.6%
8.6%
Source: ABS Census 2011 Data

3. Australians & Religion:
“Christian”, “Spiritual”
& “None”.
What is your religion?

4. Spirituality & Religion Defined
Spirituality = “Self awareness”
= “A deeper connection”
Religion = “Attendance”
= “Tasks”
= “Obligations”

5. Population Change & the Church
11.5 million 23 million

6. Population Change & the Church
11.5 million 23 million
2.6 million at church 1.6 million at church

8. Builders Generation: Retirees
70+
9% adults
21% church

9. Baby Boomers: Empty Nesters
60-69:
12% adults
17% church
50-59:
16% adults
19% church

10. Generation X:
Young Families
40-49:
17% adults
18% church
30-39:
17% adults
12% church

11. Generation Y:
Emerging Adults
20-29:
20% adults
8% church

12. Generation Z: Youth
15-19:
9% adults
6% church

15. Christianity’s Top Ten Belief Blockers
(5 related to perceptions of current practice)
• Exclusivity
• Issues around money
• Authoritarian
• Hypocrisy/Judging
• Outdated

16. Belief blockers:
Christianity & the Church (“massive negative”)
To what extent do the following attract or repel you...? Not open to change

17. Significant “warmth”
towards Christianity
What best describes your current beliefs & attitudes towards Christianity?

18. Why I don’t go

19. Outgrowing Religion
What best describes your current religious status?

20. Religious identity, but less activity
How active are you in practicing your religion?

21. Religious conversations:
not routine, but not taboo.
Do you ever talk about spirituality or religion when you gather with friends?

22. Significant belief in Jesus
Was Jesus a real person from history?

23. When did Jesus live?

24. Reasonable acceptance of the miraculous
To what extent do you believe the following?

25. Surprising knowledge of Jesus’ words
Which of the following statements can be accurately attributed to Jesus?