Charles Strong’s Australian Church (1885-1917) and Australian Secularism

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This project plans to study a politically active network associated with Rev. Charles Strong and his independent congregation, the Australian Church, in Melbourne, before and after Federation. Congregation members included Members of Parliament, a chief justice, union leaders and feminist activists. This church network was central in the shaping and institutionalisation of Australia’s secular political settlement. The project aims to conduct a systematic analysis of the theological ideas about religion-state relations that contributed to Australian secularism. It should result in a fresh interpretation of early Australian progressive thought, and contribute philosophical resources for addressing religion-state dilemmas in modern Australia.