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In the 1996 Australian Census, approximately 67% of Aboriginal people said they were Christians - HSC - SSCE Studies of Religion - Question 4 - 2001 - Paper 1
Question 4
In the 1996 Australian Census, approximately 67% of Aboriginal people said they were Christians. What has brought this about? (A) The ‘stolen generations’ (B) Abo... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In the 1996 Australian Census, approximately 67% of Aboriginal people said they were Christians - HSC - SSCE Studies of Religion - Question 4 - 2001 - Paper 1
Step 1
What has brought this about?
Answer
The rise in the percentage of Aboriginal people identifying as Christians, as reported in the 1996 Australian Census, can be attributed primarily to Christian missionary activity among Aboriginal communities.
Christian missions played a significant role in introducing Christianity to Aboriginal people, often intertwining religious teachings with social services and education. This outreach, particularly during the 19th and 20th centuries, led to a considerable conversion rate among Aboriginal populations. While factors such as urbanisation and the 'stolen generations' have influenced cultural changes, the direct and sustained effort of missionaries led to higher rates of Christian identification. Thus, the correct answer is (D) Christian missionary activity among Aboriginal people.