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At the time of Federation Australia was seen as a country of some substance despite all the contradictions reflected in its history. The debates about Federation were neither lacking in idealism or in vision. It was a country that was willing to experiment with innovative legislation and social programs and to promote egalitarian values. It was a country which embraced liberal values but they were not lacking in social content. While the influence of religion may have been subtle it was nevertheless real. The Centenary of Federation is an important opportunity to reflect on the role of religion in Australian national life and citizenship, and to document that history and look to the future. In an era of increasing emphasis on the freedom and or the responsibility of individuals and the escalating - some feel inexorable - substitution of markets for civil language emphasising interdependence and broader community or common responsibility, this is even more the time for reflecting on the role of religion in Australia's history. The essays in this volume address these concerns.
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