Change is a fact of human life and evolution. One could even say that without change, there is no growth and therefore no life. In terms of religion, however, change is not always perceived in a positive light. Indeed, particular in terms of the Christian and other fundamentalist faiths, change is seen as something to be avoided; it is highly undesirable to change along with the world. At the basis of this basic lack of a positive attitude towards change and flexibility lies a fear of authenticity compromise. Traditional religious leaders and the devotedly faithful tend to resist change as an attempt by the "world" to devalue their faith in traditional values. Others in turn feel that the only way for spirituality to survive in the modern world is through flexibility and the ability to adapt to the needs and circumstances of the faithful. In Australia and in the country's Catholic education, the same duality of views among believers can be observed: some believe that religious faith should maintain its purity regardless of the cost. Others feel that change, even in religious faith, is a necessary condition for the survival of that faith in this world.
             In considering religion and its manifestations in modern society, Hodgens (1999, p.16), observes that what he refers to as the "ideological Catholic church of the 50's and 60's is declining in nature and collapsing in number. The main reason for this is that the ideology has become outdated and unacceptable to the modern young (and older) individual. Hodgens cites four basic reasons for this:
             The first is that modern generations, and particularly what the author refers to as "Baby Boomers" and "Generation Xers", do not find the totalitarian ideologies advocated by the Catholic church acceptable. In religion, and authoritarian approach is no longer attractive., in other words. Secondly, the morality offered by the Church...