Have you ever wondered how Theravada Buddhism differs from Mahayana Buddhism? Or what practices are upheld by the Mandaeans? Answers to these questions, and any others on religions within the Australian context, can be found in ‘The Encyclopedia of Religion in Australia’.
Despite seeming at first to be overwhelming, with its 799 pages full of information on the history and practice of religions in Australia, ‘The Encyclopedia of Religion in Australia’ is in fact very accessible and functional. Running the gamut from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander religions through to Zoroastrianism, the Encyclopedia is extremely thorough in its breadth, precise in its detail, but also selective in its inclusions; it is never overly ‘wordy’ or repetitive. There are several pages of full-colour photographs that compliment the text in their richness and variety.
In addition to the A-Z format you would expect of an encyclopedia, selected papers on topics such as ‘The social role of religion’, ‘Ethnic variety and origins’, and ‘Religion, state and politics in Australia’ provide helpful information for the uninitiated to gain an understanding of the context in which each of the religions described operates.
Of particular interest to those involved in the areas of ecumenism and interfaith work is the paper on ‘Ecumenical and Multifaith Australia’ contributed by Desmond Cahill. In only six pages, the history of ecumenism in Australia is discussed, with a chronology of the formation of significant ecumenical councils and staging of important events provided. Brought into the spotlight are the steps in the formation of a formal Christian-Jewish dialogue, and the importance of inter-religious movements in the wake of September 11 and the Bali bombings.
The contribution by Rod Ling and Gary Bouma entitled ‘Religious Diversity and Social Cohesion in Australia’ is also of interest to those involved in interfaith work. While much of the whole Encyclopedia provides ample illustration of the religious diversity found in Australia – a diversity that many will find staggering in its richness – this chapter explores the impact of this diversity on social unity. By tracking the changes in the Australian religious landscape from the time of British colonization through to the present, Ling and Bouma cover a lot of territory in eight pages. Highlighted are the various contemporary feeling towards the increasingly diverse religious makeup of the country and the contexts in which those feelings arose. Also discussed are the major approaches by government to the issue and the impact had by the various government policies put in place to address the changing demographic along the way.
A major trend discussed by Ling and Bouma is the one towards ‘no religion’. This is discussed more fully in the paper by the editor (James Jupp) entitled ‘Belief and Disbelief’. An interesting account of trends away from religious belief, along with the specific geographic areas and faiths that have experienced the greatest change, is complimented with discussion on the possible reasons for this.
Readers can be sure to readily find concise, accessible information on any aspect of the Australian religious landscape in this wonderful new resource. It is a must-have addition to your theological library: highly recommended.