- Question
How will coronavirus affect religion?
Lockdown makes no exceptions for belief. In March 2020 the now iconic image of Pope Francis praying to an empty St. Peter's Square hit the headlines. For the religious, it soon became emblematic of solidarity in isolation. Mass gatherings are now out. Places of worship, prayer groups, pilgrimages, weekly rituals and door-to-door evangelism have now been outlawed in many countries. It may be many months before Covid-19 ceases to be a threat. When it does, how will it have impacted religion?
It will strengthen religious beliefs
This position holds that coronavirus will strengthen religious belief. It argues that in times of crisis, faith is often the only source of solace people have, and that when little else offers comfort or certainty, many turn to religion as the one thing they can still believe in.
It will weaken religious beliefs
This position holds that coronavirus will weaken religious belief. It argues that as millions die, faith in a higher power watching over the pious will erode—worsened by religious leaders pushing bogus remedies and by churches being blamed for a slow response to the pandemic.
It will create a vacuum for power struggles within religious orders
This position holds that coronavirus will open a vacuum for power struggles within religious institutions. It argues that religious leaders are human and crave power, and that the pandemic's disruption could trigger internal contests — even a papal struggle within the Catholic Church.