1. New Age Spiritualities
© Karen Devine 2008

2. Alternatives to mainstream faiths
In contemporary society people are more likely to choose secularization or an alternative to the mainstream faiths.
Regular church attendance has only ever occurred for a small minority of Australians since settlement.

3. No Religion?
In the census there is an increasing tendency for Australians to state “no religion” to the question about religious adherence.
What “faith” is this man demonstrating?

4. New Age Spiritualities
More than half the marriages in Australia are performed by a civil celebrant.
Since the 1970’s there has been a movement towards “new age” phenomena such as spiritualities which focus on the body, mysticism, objects and rituals.

5. Are New Age Spiritualities Religions?
New Age spiritualities are not necessarily religious and frequently lack the essential aspects of religious faith such as:
divine beings
foundational texts
sacred histories.

6. What is new age spirituality about?
The following may be present in new age faiths:
gurus
cults
focus on the spiritual well being of the individual
search for higher meaning
focus on cycles- birth and rebirth
a mix of therapies- aromatherapy, science, psychology.
emphasis on renewal
focus on meditation
astrology and astral projection
aspects of divination and the occult
aims for perfection
a significant financial commitment
empowerment of the individual.

7. Australia’s Pluralist Society
Australia’s pluralist society is giving less importance to the authority of religion and no longer do we only align ourselves with institutional religion.
Whilst larger numbers of Australians are religious, many seem to choose not to institutionalize that faith.

8. Question Time
What are the implications of Australia being a pluralist society?