According to the 2021 Australian Census, more than 60% of Australians are religious or spiritual. Yet, when it comes to faith and philanthropy, the topic is rarely broached. The paradox at the heart of trying to reconcile these two pillars of modern Australia is that many not-for-profit organisations have faith-based origins, testament to the historical role faith has played in providing support for a range of community causes.
We have no data to adequately answer the big questions we have about faith and philanthropy – How does religion inform and inspire people to give? Has faith-based giving declined along with the nation’s religious and spiritual observance? What percentage of overall giving is faith-based? How much of it goes unnoticed? How is this shifting to reflect changing social patterns in Australia?
In this webinar we start the conversation, to seek answers to some of those compelling questions, to attempt to break down some of the barriers, by exploring philanthropic traditions and practises of three major faiths – Judaism, Islam and Christianity. We will draw comparisons, and similarities, discover what drives philanthropy in faith practices, and deliberate how we can grow better giving for a more inclusive Australia.
To explore this complex and unchartered territory, we will be joined by three experts of faith, Rabbanit Judith Levitan, Manager, Client Services Legal Aid NSW and Religious Program Coordinator, Maroubra, Dr Derya Innes, Senior Lecturer, CISAC and Research Coordinator, CSU, and Paul Oslington, Professor of Economics and Theology, Alphacrucis College.