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Sociology of Religion Thematic Group

Aims and Objectives

A revitalisation of religions has occurred throughout the world at the beginning of the 21st Century. Religions have also played an increasingly prominent role in both creating and alleviating social problems. In response to these changes, sociology of religion in Australia has also been revitalised, particularly as scholars have examined the role of religion in promoting or countering risks such as terrorism and climate change. The role and diversity of religion and spirituality in Australia is moving in a number of different, and sometimes contradictory directions. The rise of fundamentalist and evangelical forms of religions contrasts with the increasingly secular multifaith character of Australian society. The increasing importance of religions linked with ethnic identities as a product of Asian and African migrations contrasts with the decline of traditional forms of Christianity. The dramatic rise of atheism and of those professing ‘no-religion’ in Australia contrasts with the growth of spiritualities and Pagan religions that celebrate experience and experimentation. The TASA sociology of religion thematic group seeks to create a community of Australian scholars to: analyse the role of religion in both Australian and global life; share our research findings; encourage the development of emerging scholars; strengthen the discipline of sociology of religion in Australia and to contribute to public policy where necessary.

Year Established: July 2011

Note, the RC22 International Sociology Association Sociology of Religion website can be accessed here.

Call for Papers

CALL FOR PAPERS: Non-religion, Spirituality & Secularism in Public

The Sociology of Religion thematic group of TASA is inviting scholars working in the fields of non-religion, spirituality, and secularism, to submit an abstract for a symposium to be held at the University of Sydney on the 3rd of October 2025.

Over the past 50 years, Australia, like many other Western nations, has witnessed a significant rise in people claiming no religious affiliation. With religious ‘nones’ having represented only 6.7 percent of the Australian population in 1971, this percentage has since risen to 38.9 percent as of the most recent census in 2021 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2022). ‘No Religion’ now stands as the second most common religious affiliation in Australia next to Christianity (43.9%), and it is through noting this significant rise that sociologists have become increasingly engaged with the nonreligious sphere both in Australia and worldwide.

This symposium thus aims to both showcase and discuss the fascinating work currently being carried out by Australian sociologists in the fields of non-religion, spirituality, and secularism, by exploring the following questions:

o What do we currently know about non-religion, spirituality, and secularism in Australia?
o What research is happening?
o What research needs to happen?
o How can we use ‘sociology of religion’ to do this work?

Sociologists addressing the field are invited to submit an abstract for a 15-minute symposium presentation. Higher degree research students and early career researchers are also encouraged to submit.

Please submit your abstracts via email to k.strehle@westernsydney.edu.au by the 18th of July 2025. Abstracts should be no more than 300 words in length. All abstracts will be reviewed by the organising committee.

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