The last census in Australia indicates that, while Christianity is still the answer most people give when asked about their religion, it is in sharp decline, and ‘no religion’ is a close second. Almost 44% of the respondents said they were Christian in 2021, and almost 39% said they were not religious. Looking at the trend – these numbers were 61% and 22%, respectively, a mere decade earlier – it is clear that Christians are on their way to becoming a minority.

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This trend of Australia’s weakening Christian heritage is further exacerbated by existing and proposed anti-religious legislation aimed at radically changing the fabric of our society. But the work and beliefs of Christians continue to be challenged by nonspiritual government.

Religious expert in Christian matters Peter Kurti comments that the present move by the ruling classes to defend self-identifying (non-Christian) ‘victim’ groups has produced an undesirable confrontation. The idea of ‘rights’ has been weaponized and anti-discrimination laws are increasingly used to stifle expression of personal opinion, rather than simply challenge bad behavior.

This mounting intolerance poses a threat to individual freedom and the rule of law. For example, when same-sex marriage activists urge the removal of anti-discrimination exemptions from religious groups committed to a traditional form of marriage, they effectively seek to impose their views and beliefs on those with whom they disagree.

It is now often said in Australia that an unyielding attachment to Christian values and traditions inhibits society’s progression and evolution. This sentiment has evolved and is now used to deny the participation of Christians in public life.

In our society, there are those who find a religious argument behind any policy they deem unacceptable. There are indeed many such characters in Australian politics, the mainstream media, and academic circles who simply cannot accept, let alone tolerate, that any politician, or indeed any public figure, should be influenced by Christian morality.

Perhaps Australians should carefully consider what they might be losing as a society by abandoning their Christian values and traditions. It is now an appropriate time for an accounting of the tangible human and social benefits of religion and the recognition of the potential disadvantages to Australia becoming a less religious society, given the growing number of Australians saying they have no religious belief.

Greg Sheridan, a leading Australian journalist, soberly predicts ’the eclipse of Christianity will be like the eclipse of the sun. Darkness will be the result. ‘When Christianity is entirely eradicated from our society and culture, it will be simply impossible to ignore the fact that without belief in God, there is no final human accountability. Life is just what you can get away with, and the ultimate price to pay,’ Sheridan argues.

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Compared with less religious and irreligious people, Stark concluded that religious people: are much less likely to commit crimes at all ages; are far more likely to contribute even to secular charities, volunteer their time to socially beneficial programs, and to be active in civic affairs; enjoy superior mental health – they are happier, less neurotic, and far less likely to commit suicide

They enjoy superior physical health, having an average life expectancy more than seven years longer than that of the irreligious; express a higher degree of satisfaction with their marriage and are substantially less likely to abuse their spouses and children; perform better on standardized achievement tests and are far less likely to have dropped out of school, which is especially true for ethnic minorities; are far less subject to being on unemployment benefits or welfare.

Australians should, therefore, carefully consider how much they might be losing as a society by becoming less religious. Values come to us trailing their historical past. When we attempt to cut all links to that past, we risk cutting the lifelines on which those values essentially depend.

Political Elite vs. Christ: The regular displays of animosity towards committed Christians can be found in major political parties and are not isolated instances of a broader, anti-religious bigotry. In fact, voices that are highly critical of Christianity and suspicious of any Christian influence in Australian politics are becoming increasingly more influential and bigoted, even in the so-called conservative side of politics. THOSE WHO CARE SHARE.