The coronavirus spread in many countries with religious ceremonies, Holy water and commun worship, sacred places.
Perhaps the Corona virus has created a field of research for religions within itself. This questioning does not mean to reject religion, but to open the relationship between religion and non-religion and science and religion.
This is a timely question. In some places in America, churches are remaining open, partly for religious reasons and partly for economic reasons. Some people believe that God will save them from getting infected by COVID-19. Some church leaders and their families depend on offerings given regularly by their congregations. The majority of Americans follow both science and religion.
Firstly, there is no proof to deny nor to definitely states that "coronavirus spread in many countries with religious ceremonies, Holy water and common worship, sacred places". Therefore, I need to emphasize first that this assumption is as unscientific, as it is dangerous and harmful.
Second, yes, we may say that 'religious understandings', moreover its statements, overviews, in a word its establishment. We are indeed looking at a new framing, but not only in the religious perspective but in all others [i.e. economical, political, medical, tourism, trade etc]. In order to survive this, we need now to act like a species, not as individualists and groups, either if it is about religions, nations, federations etc.
i have asked myself a similar question
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Among_the_effects_of_Sars-Co-V-2_pandemic_could_be_the_threat_of_the_very_nature_of_religion, so this is a sign that many theologians are aware of this threat and of the changes that brings to religious overviews. Tks
Provavelmente, porém assim que se deu conta da propagação em outros países, aqui no Brasil foram suspensas todas as celebrações da Igreja Católica.
As of April 10, 2020, the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is leading to new evaluation of religious practices. For example, the Pope is broadcasting the Easter season observances on live-stream and encouraging Catholics to avoid spreading the infection by not attending mass and not observing Eucharist in cathedrals. This maintains religious belief, while modifying religious practice.
The main discussion I witnessed was regarding the use of the sacraments, especially the celebration of the Lord's Supper. Whether or not it would be feasible to manage it virtually. We are certainly facing a peculiar situation. In general, Christians in Brazil were not opposed to the isolation determined by civil authorities. On the other hand, bills are being processed in Congress with the aim of banning civil settlements until the end of October / 2020. Initially, churches would also be part of this group, but political pressure removed them from the agenda. If the bill is passed and churches are left out, there may be retaliation from other sectors. In any case, many priests have expressed concern about the period of isolation. The sacraments and financial survival of the vast majority of religious institutions depend on access to the temples. Although churches are not alien to technology, it cannot be ignored that contact, that is, physical communion, represents one of their great marks.
My experience in Indianapolis, IN, USA is that religious understanding was not seriously questioned. The Christian faith generally has a lot of room in it for interpreting suffering even on a large scale. At least in part, this is no doubt due to the fact that we have a divine Savior who suffers for our sins and so identifies with us in suffering.
And as far as meeting, we have done so successfully in an online format. Since I am the pastor of an evangelical sort of Protestant church, our understanding of the sacred space is not very highly developed. Whatever shortcomings there may be in that kind of view, it has made it easier to not have to meet in person or in a certain place during this crisis. Same as far as the Lord's Supper, which we celebrated together online as part of a recent Sunday service.
As pastor of a congregation in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa, I can preach the gospel as I have always done. What corona virus does for me, is to create space and time for reflection and to try and understand about deconstruction, post-foundational truth and the new perception of Christ and of God. It is a challenge!!
A. G. Radyuk ,
A.G. Radyuk replies, " Коронавирус создал условия для переоценки человеческих ценностей. "
My suggested English translation: "The COVID-29 virus is creating situations in which to re-evaluate all of our values, including religious values."
Jovanio Pereira ,
I am very sympathetic to your outlook on the way COVID-19 is bringing much distress to members of religious faith who value congregating together and receiving blessings with fellow parishioners. Certainly, it is comforting for me to see religious leaders of various faiths, including the Pope in Vatican City and Protestant, Muslim, Buddhist and other leaders, sanctioning emergency measures of social distancing and staying at home, to bring a message of the importance of preserving our own lives and the lives of all those with whom we come into contact. We can keep the faith and save lives through prayer and other temporary forms of religious observance, as indicated by religious leaders in this thread.
Social gathering is a part of religious activity. Most of the diseases of air or water borne are potential to spread quickly with social gathering for any reason like political, conference, market place, etc.
As pastor of the Dutch Reformed Collage Congregation in Vanderbijlpark, South Africa, I also served communion over the internet. What happened was that I had the best ever attendance. What will happen after Corona I do not know. What I said to myself however was
that this isolation period created the space to make use of technology and the media in spreading the same gospel I always did. With this enriched perception and using what God has given us, I will shepherd and serve this congregation in the future.
This pandemic has certainly lead to questioning of religious beliefs yet it sparked a more intense religious longing in people. People have turned to religion to make sense of why the pandemic is happening. I believe it created a class divide as only those with technology are able to join online worship services. Those who have not may have struggled as they are isolated and prone to the effects of infection. It is interesting how religious institutions will practice their faith towards the most economically vulnerable and marginalized groups as they have the potential to become carriers of the virus to society.
To those who believe there is God, do know that godliness protects from disaster and at the same time, we get to see God's power in difficult times. If Corvid came from God, it is his way of saying we should repent of our waywardness. But ungodly science formulated Corvid without an antidote. Let us not ask God questions. it is because we disregard him and went into biological warfare.
It depends on the individual understanding of the essence of faith and religion. In non-believers, the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) coronavirus may have deepened the question of faith. Conversely, in believers, the SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) coronavirus could increase religious beliefs. In my opinion, this is a completely individual matter and is also determined by many different and other factors that determine the understanding of the essence of faith and the issue of religious beliefs.
Best regards,
Dariusz Prokopowicz