The pandemic has had a profound impact on society. A new study finds that since the world learned about COVID-19, faith in God and trust in higher powers has declined.
Scientists believe this may be due to isolation
It is believed that disasters and crises can only strengthen faith and religious institutions. Previous research has shown that faith-based beliefs can help people survive seemingly meaningless or random traumatic events (such as the death of a loved one).
A survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, a pollster and think tank in the United States, in the summer of 2020 found that the pandemic has boosted many people's confidence in the United States. 28% of respondents said they strengthened their convictions during the coronavirus crisis. However, a new study reveals a reversal of what is happening. The survey focused on temporary changes in religious beliefs over the 18-month period from June 2020 to November 2021. The study interviewed nearly 5,000 people in Germany. Over the course of 18 months, the scientists returned to the questionnaire several times. So the authors found that the longer the pandemic lasted, the more people believed in God.
Reversal Emerges: The researchers wrote: "The analysis shows that with the outbreak of the second wave of coronavirus (religious institutions set up flags), trust in God, as well as prayer and meditation, have decreased. In addition, the sharp increase in coronavirus-related stressors has been linked to a decline in happiness and a persistent loss of confidence. These changes have been observed in both Catholics and Protestants, as well as young and old. ”
In June 2020, at the start of the study, only 3% of respondents said they had lost confidence in a higher-power response due to the coronavirus outbreak. That percentage rose steadily over the next six more 18 months until a final survey conducted between August 2021 and November 2021 found that 21.5 percent reported losing confidence due to the pandemic and the U.S. government was about to give up.
The report's authors argue that this is due to social segregation and restrictions that affect social and religious ties between people and local religious communities. Possibly, when sacred places (temples, churches) are difficult to access, people either develop new forms of spiritual practice in seclusion or simply lose their faith.