Faith is all people can believe in
The world is falling apart, and having faith might be the only thing to get people through.
Belief
Coronavirus
Faith
Health
Religion
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Context
For believers, faith is the only constant. Such reliance is exacerbated in times of crisis.
The Argument
As Tim Stanley writes in the Telegraph, "For Christians, this terrible virus is not a punishment but a test of our faith and charity"[1]. For many religious people life is a test. And their 'performance' or actions during life will determine whether they 'pass'. In this case, the coronavirus is part of this test.
As Hamza Koire writes in New Vision, "Trials and tribulations are part of life, this is something that Allāh informs us of and warns us so that when we are afflicted, we remember that it is ultimately Allāh who controls our affairs."[2]
Counter arguments
Life may be considered a test for some religious people. However, key aspects of these religions - such as prayer - offer adherents a way to ask for positive outcomes in their actual lives. The fact that these prayers are going unheard, as the virus tears across the world indiscriminately, will reduce faith in the power of religion.
Proponents
Premises
[P1] Religious people consider life a test
[P2] The virus is considered a test
[P3] Many religious people believe rewards will come in the afterlife
[P4] Many religious people do not fear death
Rejecting the premises
[Rejecting P3] Many religious people believe that prayer brings rewards come in the present life