will there be an increase or decrease in atheist numbers

the_pen_turner wrote: »

I heard a guy today in a shop that blames a lot of this virus stuff on people leave behind religion. And how people will be back in droves to mass s . I made a quick b line away from him as far as possible.

it got me thinking about it . im not sure which way it will go yet. my father was talking to the local priest and he says that a lot of people are ringing up looking for prayers etc.

what do you think.

At this stage in Ireland, I think we have reacted in a very cohesive and positive manner to the pandemic as a community, taking leadership advice from our government, such as it is, and senior medics. I don't see much visibility or leadership from the church, which is understandable as they're as hamstrung as the rest of us with the lock down. While it is common to turn to religion in times of crisis such as this I think in this instance we've placed our faith in our society first and foremost and would doubt the church would derive any benefit.

Further afield in the states I see that many churches are remaining open and Trump has said he'd like to see churches full on Easter Sunday. This is prone to lead to considerable extra suffering and even death, which it turn is likely to lead to a backlash against right wing religious conservatism and those churches that pushing this agenda. I'd guess this could well lead to increased atheism or a move to more moderate forms of religious practice. It all seems a bit ironic that the home of televangelism is pushing to maintain church attendance.

Where the church might make a comeback is in the post virus and social-distancing recession and religion is an easier sell to the poor and desperate. A more left leaning charitable style of Christianity that emphasizes care of the community by the community also offers tangible benefits.