With religious hostility surging in Australia, we need to rethink our approach to religious education
My research has found religious education can encourage critical thinking in children, instil kindness and tolerance, and help expand students’ worldviews.
In June 2025, Amin Moniri, a Year 12 student from western Sydney, emerged victorious in the inaugural Edith Brutman Award at the National Harmony Day Competition. Her winning entry, Stronger Together, showcased passersby at Bondi Beach writing messages about harmony. Brutman, named after the award's inspiration, lost her life in the Bondi terror attack in December 2025.
She had been involved with the Jewish service organization B'nai B'rith and served as the vice president of its anti-prejudice and anti-discrimination committee.
Social harmony in Australia is currently lacking, with only 46% of Australians feeling a sense of belonging, a significant drop from 64% in 2020. A recent Lowy Institute Poll revealed that 73% of Australians believe the country has benefited from cultural diversity, a nearly 20-point decline since 2024. The Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion kicked off its final public hearing block, focusing on how to strengthen social cohesion.
The COVID pandemic, the failure of the Voice to Parliament referendum, and the Israel-Hamas war have all contributed to increased polarization in Australia. However, the role of religion in this issue has been insufficiently examined. The rise of secularism, secular opposition to religious worldviews, and a growing skepticism of religions have fueled social hostility towards people of various faiths.
The Scanlon Foundation survey found a rise in negative attitudes towards nearly every religion from 2023-2025, with Muslims receiving the highest negative score at 35%.
Incidents of antisemitism have surged in Australia, with even those testifying at the royal commission facing online abuse. Religious education in Australian schools has become more controversial as special religious education classes in government schools face increasing resistance from a secular Australia. Despite this, incorporating religious education within the school curriculum can help counter problematic views and promote acceptance of different worldviews.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
