Through a National Lens Darkly: Religion as a Spectrum

Abstract

When religion is invoked in Australian sociocultural and political negotiations, religion tends to be politicised predominantly through institutionalised, racialised and gendered perspectives. Further, discussions frequently employed narrow interpretations of religion. This understanding of religion only partially reflects the religious condition in Australia and is not fully representative of it in its substance and nuance, nor breadth and depth. This argument is based on an examination of Australian news media’s construction, depiction and representation of discourses on religion in national debates. Using the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s discussion program Q&A as its subject, the study argues for a broader understanding of religion, viewed as a spectrum.