Contesting empire religion: coloniality and sticky media discourses.

The concept of religion in settler-colonial Australia is intricately intertwined with whiteness and Christianity and introduced during colonisation. Its influence is evident not only in its integration into Australian society but also in the exclusionary measures within religious communities. Due to Australia's colonial history, 'religion' is often narrowly interpreted, with a conservative, moralistic lens influenced by Eurocentric perspectives. This interpretation tends to have an affective 'sticky' dimension that generates significant media discussion. This paper examines the prevalence of 'empire religion' in media discourses, and aims to uncover and critique the presence of coloniality in discussions about religion. By adopting a decolonial lens to explore Australian religions and spirituality, this paper argues that sticky media discourses on religion can be seen as reverbs of Australia's 'colonial wound'. These reverbs collectively serve as an active resistance and deconstruction of coloniality, urging for greater truth-telling, healing, and a more comprehensive understanding of Australian religions and spirituality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]