Abolition of slavery

Provision of education through missionary work

Enhancement of art and architecture

Support for music, literature, scientific and philosophical research

Charity and social support from religious communities before state welfare agencies existed

Religion (with its emphasis on human dignity) can be readily seen as proactive in areas such as the advocacy of refugee and Indigenous rights, protection of the environment, and opposition to military action.

Religion has sought to instill a sense of justice in prominent social debates as a way of attempting to change community views to embrace a new approach

Religion applies a conservative influence on society in areas such as sexual morality and bioethics.

Evidence of conservatism in the recent contributions of religious groups to social debates (e.g. issues such as stem cell research, euthanasia and homosexual relationships).

Religion can be seen as trying to prevent society from moving away from traditional values

Close reciprocal relationship between culture and religion

Religion cannot be expressed other than through a particular cultural setting and context

Religion has a strong formative influence on culture (the nature of culture is dynamic, ever-changing)