The Science & Belief in Society Podcast What do religious and spiritual Australians think about modern medicine?
Aug 12, 2025
Join Anna Halafoff, an Associate Professor specializing in sociology and spirituality at Deakin University, and Tom Aechtner, an Associate Professor focused on vaccine hesitancy and religious beliefs at the University of Queensland. They dive deep into how spiritual attitudes shape perspectives on modern medicine and vaccine acceptance in Australia. The conversation highlights the evolution of vaccine hesitancy, examines how various religious beliefs influence science trust, and discusses the need for tailored communication strategies to effectively address concerns.
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Broad Survey Approach Reveals Patterns
- Tom studies representative samples of the Australian public to understand vaccine hesitancy linked to religion rather than targeting specific groups.
- His prior work on anti-evolutionism revealed rhetorical similarities across counter-science movements, informing his vaccine research.
Mainstreamed Spirituality And Regional Hubs
- Anna focuses on spiritual but not religious Australians, often found in northern New South Wales hotspots like Byron Bay and Nimbin.
- She links contemporary spirituality to mainstreaming of holistic practices and potential public-health concerns during COVID-19.
Pilot Survey Found Low Extreme Opposition
- Anna's pilot survey in holistic spiritual communities found only 5% would refuse vaccination and 2% held strong conspiratorial beliefs.
- She emphasizes the panic around militant anti-vax narratives was likely overblown in these communities.
