Australian Churches have undoubtedly had a lot to say to the Australian community over the last 20 years. Unfortunately, the message is almost certainly not what you might have expected from organisations claiming centrality for a person called Jesus for all our lives. Banners strung from Cathedrals demanding freedom for David Hicks (an Australian jailed for fighting with the Taliban) or changes to refugee policy, are often backed up by statements from those in Church leadership positions slamming various policies of Australian government on an endless array of issues.
Refugee policy is described as “inhuman and demeaning”, reductions in overseas aid as “a devastating blow to the global poor and breach of trust with the Australian Public”, detention centres are “measures of intentional cruelty”. A Prime Minister's “trustworthiness” is regularly called into question, western missionary activity is “very aggressive and lacking in cultural sensitivities”, the collapse of Christianity in the West is “a good thing”. Even mum and dad shareholders are encouraged to divest shares which are “deeply embedded in damaging corporate behaviour”.
Concurrent with all this commentary on our community and government is a dramatic collapse in Church attendance, particularly for Anglicans and other protestant groupings. In recent years, another community concern has also arisen. That is a realisation that many younger Australians seem unenthusiastic about their national identity, generally delaying commitments to marriage, family and home buying and sometimes lost in consumerism and self-indulgence.
Naturally, it is unfair to lay the blame for disengaged, bored or cynical youth at the feet of churches alone, yet they have a significant role to play in advocating for a positive narrative on the astonishing benefits still offered by this nation to its citizens.
Almost totally, they have failed in this endeavour. In the course of my work, I come across a substantial cross-section of locally born young Australians. Almost all of them are inculcated with a view that suggests migrants to Australia are fabulously lucky as they bring with them a culture, language, family and a group identity that provides extended support. Yet, few of them see how fortunate they themselves are, living in a country where democratic and free principles are strong, where women have significant opportunities and where drive and determination will still unfold opportunities found virtually nowhere else!
Two of the colleagues with whom I am fortunate to work, both psychologists, highlight to me two underlying views found with most Australians who undergo psychological counselling. The first is an increasing sense that things are not fair, (but one that is not always based on supporting fact), the other, a feeling of lack of support, a lack of community, a lack of place where their own identity is valued and supported.
What a shame that most of Australia's churches have absolutely nothing to say or do in this space. In my view, it is only the Catholic Church which still seeks to speak to this “place” in Australian life. The right to life, the joy of finding a lifelong partner in marriage, the wonder of starting a family, of buying a first home, of raising a child, of starting a business, of actually taking some pride in Australian things and of generously sharing with others.
All of the above can be sometimes tough and may not all be achievable, but that does not make them boring, depressing or worthless. Whatever other journeys some may make, these are all still the building blocks of a happy, healthy and contented life. Wouldn't it be a shock for a few other Churches to see some value and centrality in such “ordinary” things? Perhaps then, those churches may not be so empty!
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