The church’s record of holding power from the 4th century onwards has involved some terrible acts of coercion, exploitation, and abuse. Yet Jesus set an example of selfless service and started a “humility revolution”.
This lesson looks at how the Western church was caught up in the project of colonisation, focusing on the church’s mixed record when it comes to Aboriginal Australians.
Introduce
Class Discussion
Students discuss the degree to which they think the Church accepts and embraces diversity – offering examples.
Research & Discuss
- Full Article: Sydney Morning Herald
- Clip: Invisible Discrimination (1:00)
Display the quote from the Sydney Morning Herald – and show the Beyond Blue ‘Invisible Discrimination’ clip before inviting students to share their opinion on whether or not they think racial discrimination is still as common amongst young Australians today.
Students indicate if they’ve ever experienced or witnessed some kind of racial discrimination. (They can share a story if they’re comfortable – keep it focused on real-life personal experiences.)
Observe & Reflect
Display the colonialism cartoon and invite studies to share their observations. (Christianity & Colonialism Slides)
Engage
Watch & Respond
Watch the documentary excerpt ‘The Colonial Project’ (8:55).
Students describe how Indigenous Australians lived prior to 1788, including their understanding of the ongoing importance of the land to indigenous spirituality.
Students fill in a table comparing and contrasting the intentions of the colonisers with what really happened. (Christianity & Colonialism Slides)
Reflect & Discuss
Display the Bishop James Moorhouse quote. Invite students to reflect and respond, considering what it says about how church valued economic development as opposed to caring for and protecting Indigenous Australians? (Christianity & Colonialism Slides)
Display the Myall Creek Massacre Memorial Plaque image and invite students to share a response to the outline of the massacre which Justine Toh gave in the clip. Discuss the reasons for the original acquittal which the jurors gave, and the degree to which such attitudes still exist in Australian society. (Christianity & Colonialism Slides)
Display the John Saunders quote and discuss what motivated Christian leaders like Saunders to fight for the punishment of the Myall Creek massacre killers. (Christianity & Colonialism Slides)
Extension: Students can research Rev John Saunders (1806-1859).
Bible Study
Students rewrite Acts 17.26 (KJV) in their own words.
Students read Acts 17.24-28 and answer the following questions.
- What do verses 24 and 25 teach us about God?
- How does v.26 support the idea of all humans being equal?
- Outline God’s desire as stated in v.27.
Students read a description of heaven in Revelation 7.9 and are invited to consider what it tells us about the nature of heaven and God’s attitude to racial diversity.
Respond
Reflect & Discuss
Students write a reflection paragraph outlining how it could be possible that Christians, who are supposed to think of all people as made in God’s image, could be involved in the mistreatment of Indigenous Australians?
As a class discuss the following questions: (Christianity & Colonialism Slides)
- What might someone in the future think about how Indigenous Australians are being treated today?
- Churches can be very culturally diverse places. Does this sort of community appeal to you? Why or why not?
- How important is it to think of all people as being “of one blood”?
Students create a symbolic image to describe how our society might look different if everybody was treated equally.
Extension
Students research some of the ways that Christian churches, groups and organisations have been involved in reconciliation and positive actions within the Indigenous community. (e.g. www.australianstogether.org.au).
In a small group students brainstorm ways they can challenge racial discrimination in their school or community.