Most Australians of European background did not understand Aboriginal culture and spirituality - HSC - SSCE Studies of Religion - Question 9 - 2002 - Paper 1

Option (C) states, 'Missionary activity was carried out by Christian churches.' This indicates that the misunderstanding may lead to active efforts by churches to engage with Aboriginal populations. Given that missionary activity often stems from a lack of cultural comprehension, this option reflects a significant outcome of the misunderstanding.

While other options mention possible reactions to misunderstanding, they either lack direct causation or imply outcomes that are less likely as immediate responses. For instance, options (A) and (B) focus on neglect or flourishing, which do not directly stem from the idea of missionary activity, suggesting a more structured and organized response from churches.

Thus, the correct answer based on the marking scheme is (C). This not only represents a direct consequence but also aligns with historical contexts where missionary activity was often a product of misunderstanding or lack of knowledge about Aboriginal cultures.