More than two in three Australians (68%) follow a religion or have spiritual beliefs. Of those that do, almost half (47%) remain committed to the religion of their upbringing. The number of Australians who do not identify with a religion or spiritual belief, however, is on the rise with almost one in three (32%) not identifying with a religion. This study replicated the ABS Census question, but added in an option for ‘spiritual but not religious’. This had a response rate of 14% among Australians nationally, and the Christianity grouping was 45% (down from 61% in the 2011 Census). More than half of Australians (52%) are open to changing their religious views given the right circumstances and evidence. Younger Australians are more open to changing their current religious views than older generations. Religion and spirituality a popular topic of conversation When gathering with friends, more than half of Australians (55%) often or occasionally talk about religion or spirituality. Generation Z (65%) are the most comfortable talking the topic, while the Baby Boomers are the least with 51% never talking about it with their friends. A genuine faith the greatest attraction to a religion or spirituality Observing people with genuine faith is the greatest attraction to investigating spirituality. Second is experiencing personal trauma or a significant life change. On the inverse, the top repellent to Australians investigating is public figures or celebrities who are examples of that faith. This is followed by miraculous stories of healings or supernatural occurrences. Perceptions of Christianity Australians most value Christian organisations for their work with those in need, specifically looking after people who are homeless, offering financial assistance/food relief programs and providing disaster relief (74%, 72% and 69% respectively). 8% of Australian adults (1.5 million) do not know any Christians, while for Generation Y this is almost one in ten. One in 29 Australians has never heard of Jesus.

1. ALL OTHER
N
O
RELIGION
SPIRITUAL NOT
RELIGIOUS
15%
14
%
RELIGIONS
7
%
CHRISTIANITY45%
32%
9%
FAITH & BELIEF
IN AUSTRALIA
DEFINED
CHRISTIANITY
Less Spirituality
2016 CENSUS RESULTS
WHAT DO THE SPIRITUAL BUT
NOT RELIGIOUS BELIEVE? (TOP 3)
36%1 ‘There is an ultimate
purpose and meaning’
26%2 Inward journey of
self-discovery
3 Mixture of
religious beliefs 22%
WHY NO RELIGION? (TOP 3)
1 Prefer science and
‘evidence-based’
approach
49%
2 ‘Religion is a crutch
for the weak’ 18%
3 ‘Religion is outdated
& traditional’ 14%
0%
AUSTRALIANS
IDENTIFYING
WITH NO RELIGION
IS GROWING
From 0.4% in 1911
to 30.1% in 2016
CENSUS YEARS:CHRISTIANITY NO RELIGION ISLAM BUDDHISM OTHER NOT STATED 1911 1921 1933 1947 1954 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 2016
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
CHURCH GOER
At least monthly
ACTIVE PRACTISERS
Extremely involved
52.1% 30.1% 2.6% 2.4% 3.2% 9.6%
AUSTRALIA’S
RELIGIOUS IDENTITY
Full report at faithandbelief.org.au

2. THE JOURNEY TO (AND FROM) BELIEF
OF AUSTRALIANS TALK ABOUT SPIRITUALITY
OR RELIGION AT LEAST OCCASIONALLY55%
AUSTRALIAN ATTITUDES
TOWARDS CHRISTIANITY +1
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
-7
Modified Engels Scale
1 in 4 cool (26%)
1 in 8 neutral (12%)
Almost 1 in 4 warm (24%)
9%OFTEN
46%OCCASIONALLY
NON-CHRISTIANS’ OPENNESS
TO EXPLORING RELIGION
Religion gives hope
but causes friction.
Internet & social is #3 for Gen Z
(24% compared to 14% overall)
1995EST.
GEN
Z
GREATEST INFLUENCES ON OPINIONS
OF CHRISTIANS & CHRISTIANITY
1.
PARENTS
& FAMILY
57%
2.
FRIENDS &
NETWORKS
25%
3.
BOOKS
& ARTICLES
22%
4.
THE MEDIA
21%
OUTGROWING RELIGION?
CONVERTER switched from a different religion
7%
CONTINUER committed to religion brought up in
SYNTHESIZER set of beliefs not fitting any one religion
47%
NO LONGER RELIGIOUS
17%
NEVER BEEN RELIGIOUS
10%
14%
ADOPTER non-religious prior to choosing current religion
5%
Analysis of all ‘religious’ and ‘spiritual but not religious’ (n=669)
I consider myself a Christian (38%)
I believe in Christianity, but don’t consider myself a Christian
I believe much of Christianity, but still have some significant doubts
I believe in the ethics and values of Christianity, but I don’t pratice
Christianity in any way
I believe Christianity and churches should have religious freedoms,
but I don’t want to be involved
I have some issues with Christianity and it isn’t for me
I have strong reservations about Christianity and have no interest in it
I am passionately opposed to Christianity
10%
13%
77%
VERY INTERESTED/QUITE OPEN
WOULD CONSIDER
UNLIKELY/WOULD NOT CONSIDER
45%NEVER
(n=565)

3. EXPLORING PERCEPTIONS OF RELIGION AND CHRISTIANITY
Almost 1.5 million
Australian adults do not
know any Christians (8%)
TOP 10 PERCEPTIONS OF CHRISTIANS
of Australians know at least one Christian
(n=932). They see Christians as:92%
TOP ATTRACTORS TO RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
(% who are strongly attracted)
TOP REPELLENTS TO RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
(% who are strongly repelled)
Seeing people who live out a genuine faith
Experiencing a personal trauma or life event
Stories or testimonies from people who have changed due to their faith
Philosophical discussion and debating ideas
Miraculous stories
Hearing from public figures and celebrities who are examples of that faith
16%
19%
13%
26%
12%
27%
BELIEF BLOCKERS
Behaviours that are most likely to prevent ‘Non Christians’
who are ‘open to change’ from exploring Christianity
(n=266) (% Massive negative influence)
57%
CHURCH
ABUSE
47%
HYPOCRISY
45%
RELIGIOUS
WARS
43%
JUDGING
OTHERS
40%
ISSUES
AROUND
MONEY
1
T P5 BEHAVIOUR BLOCKERS
ISSUE BLOCKERS
2 3 4 5
Almost 1 in 10 Gen Y do
not know any Christians
1980EST.
GEN
Y
33%
HOMOSEXUALITY
23%
SUPERNATURAL
ELEMENTS
21%
ROLE OF WOMEN
20%
THE BIBLE
24%
HELL AND
CONDEMNATION
24%
SUFFERING
18%
SCIENCE AND
EVOLUTION
Issues that are most likely to prevent ‘Non-Christians’ who are ‘open to change’
from exploring Christianity (n=266) (% Block completely)
41% CARING
35% LOVING
KIND35%
FAITHFUL32%
HONEST31%
TRADITIONAL25%
JUDGEMENTAL20%
OLD-FASHIONED18%
OPINIONATED18%
HYPOCRITICAL17%

4. THE CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA PERCEPTIONS OF JESUS
HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE CHURCH GENERALLY?
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR LOCAL CHURCH?
PERCEIVED IMPACT OF CHURCHES IN YOUR AREA
METHODOLOGY:
A national survey of Australians n=1024. Responses reflect full sample except where
otherwise stated. Research conducted January 2017. Australian public data is sourced from
the Australian Bureau of Statistics. McCrindle conducted three focus groups (Baby Boomers,
Generation X and Generation Y) during March 2017. Full report at faithandbelief.org.au
HOW IMPORTANT WAS JESUS’ LIFE TO...
THE HISTORY AND
CULTURE OF THE WORLD?
YOU PERSONALLY?
THE POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES OF JESUS’ LIFE
HOW MUCH DO AUSTRALIANS KNOW ABOUT JESUS’ LIFE?
I don’t have that religious support system.
There must be a lot of comfort in that.
I envy that.
There is nothing negative about him,
he was a very moral person. So many
good traits there, if he does exist.
When all else fails the church will be there.
Research & report by:
mccrindle.com.au
Commissioned by:
1 in 29
Australians have
never heard of Jesus
Negative
9% Neither positive
or negative
47% Positive
44%
Very little
or nothing
A significant
amount
A moderate
amount
Quotes provided in this infographic are from focus groups conducted with non-Christians.
Nothing at all
18%
? ?
28%
Not well
at all
56%
?
Moderate/
a little
60%
!?! !?!
24%
Moderate/
slightly well
26%
!?!
A great deal/
a lot
22%
!!!! !!!!
45%
Extremely/
very well
18%
!!!!
Extremely/
very
53%
Extremely/
very
31%
Slightly/
somewhat
33%
Slightly/
somewhat
32%
Not at all
14%
Not at all
37%
LOVE
HOPE
CARE
TRUTH
STRENGTH
50%
39%
34%
34%
30%
WISDOM
NON-VIOLENT
SALVATION
GRACE
FREEDOM
29%
29%
27%
25%
25%