| Detail from the St Mary's Cathedral diorama |
The
Picture of a Nation: the Statistician's Report on the 2006 Census, divides the nation into Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Other Religions and No Religion. In
Religion Across the Generations, the Statistician collates data from the most recent census. The religion question is voluntary and 11.2% of the population chose not to respond. The question does not measure the degree of participation or commitment to religion. It was enough that the individual declared themself to be of a specific persuasion.
The secularisation of the Australian population gathers apace. Between 1971 and 2006, the proportion of people who stated ‘No Religion’ increased from 6.7% of the population to 19%. Add that to those who did not respond and 30.2% of the population is covered.
Looking at the statistics that cover my age group (Lucky) and those that cover the age group of my children (X+Y) we find that the older age group is 70% Christian whereas the younger age group is 46% Christian.
Is Christmas just a retail habit?
| Together with a tree erected by the City council, the diorama stands in the Cathedral forecourt, Cook+Philip Place |
| Australian Christmas stamps - 1984, 1985 & 1986 |
