Religious freedoms should include spiritual beliefs too

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Patrick, Jeremy. 2018. "Religious freedoms should include spiritual beliefs too." The Conversation. 7 June 2018, pp. 1-3.
Article Title

Religious freedoms should include spiritual beliefs too

Article CategoryBlog
Authors
AuthorPatrick, Jeremy
Publication TitleThe Conversation
Journal Citation7 June 2018, pp. 1-3
Number of Pages3
Year2018
Place of PublicationAustralia
Web Address (URL)https://theconversation.com/religious-freedoms-should-include-spiritual-beliefs-too-97445
Abstract

Nearly a third of Australians at the last census checked 'None' when asked about their religion, up from 19% in 2006. What many people might not realise is that while some 'Nones' are indeed atheists or agnostics, a substantial percentage do have faith. It’s just not in mainstream religion as we generally understand it.

The number of people identifying as 'spiritual but not religious' appears to be rising in the western world. A 2017 McCrindle report suggests 14% of Australians belong to this category. In the US, a Pew Research Study pegs 27% of Americans as identifying as spiritual (up 8% from five years ago).

Perhaps Australia’s understanding of faith is starting to change not because some groups are winning or losing adherents but because the notion of 'organized religion' itself has increasingly started to fall out of favour.

Keywordsspirituality, freedom of religion, SBNR
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020480702. Constitutional law
489999. Other law and legal studies not elsewhere classified
500405. Religion, society and culture
480499. Law in context not elsewhere classified
Byline AffiliationsSchool of Law and Justice
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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