Religion (Australia)

Christian churches in Australia were largely supportive of the war effort, seeing God and Empire in the same light. They promoted conscription, as well as various war charities, but became embroiled in the divisive conscription referenda, which exacerbated the profound sectarianism of Australia. Among the Australian troops, chaplains provided well-received support, both spiritual and material, supplemented by the activities of both the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) and by Christian soldiers among the ranks. Observers noted an understated religious engagement present in Australian soldiers, beneath a veneer of religious indifference