Does religion remain an influence on political participation in an increasingly secular society? An empirical investigation of the Australian case

Abstract

ABSTRACT A substantial body of literature has found that religion is related to an individual’s political participation. However, rates of religious affiliation and religious attendance have dropped considerably over the last three decades in some countries. This article explores this development by investigating the following question: does religion still remain an important factor in influencing the rate of political participation in societies that have become more secular than ever? Using data based on the Australian Election Study of 2019, the findings reveal that the effect of religion on political participation is definitely not waning in Australian society which is gradually becoming more secular. Religious attendance continues to be significantly and positively associated with political participation while religious affiliation is not. The study further indicates that religious attendance moderates the association between religious affiliation and political participation. The findings suggest that religion, particularly religious attendance, remains a key driver for political participation among religious individuals in increasingly secular societies.