RMC Briefings

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Have closure of places of worship loosened ties with ‘cultural’ believers?

THEME: Discussing the impact of Covid-19 on religious attendance and membership

The Covid-19 lockdowns could see increasing numbers of more nominal religious believers abandon their faith, according to speakers in a Religion Media Centre on line discussion. For people whose worship is largely a matter of habit, the break in attendance may never be restored even when churches, mosques, synagogues and temples are fully open again.

Tim Wyatt discussed the impact of Covid-19 on religious attendance and membership with:

  • Professor David Voas, from University College London
  • Qari Asim MBE, chair of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board
  • Peter Lynas, the UK director of the Christian network the Evangelical Alliance
  • Tilak Parekh, a researcher into Hinduism

REPORT: Locked down, lost faith: Non-attendance is weakening connection

“It’s very, very difficult to find evidence of a lasting positive impact on religious activity. So I remain sceptical, despite the small-scale evidence about upticks in spirituality”

Professor David Voas

FULL BRIEFING YOUTUBE VIDEO

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