Religion, Law and Social Stability in Australia

Abstract

This paper considers religion, religious tolerance and the law and their importance in maintaining social stability in Australia. In order to address that question, the paper will very briefly consider the influence of religion in the foundation and development of Australia before considering the place of religion in contemporary Australian society. With this background, the paper will then consider the extent to which religion and the law find themselves in conflict in Australia before expressing some views on the implication of those conflicts for Australia’s social stability.

Keywords: religion, religious tolerance, faith, law, social stability, Australia

JEL Classification: I10, K10, K42, Z12, Z18