The COVID-19 Pandemic as a Catalyst for Religious Polarization in Poland
In theory, the coronavirus pandemic, with its wide-ranging implications for the functioning of societies around the world, cannot fail to have an impact on religiosity. We test whether this is really the case and investigate the scope and trend of changes in religious commitment using the example of...
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2021-07-01
|
| Series: | Religions |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/8/572 |
| _version_ | 1797522260711440384 |
|---|---|
| author | Marta Bożewicz Rafał Boguszewski |
| author_facet | Marta Bożewicz Rafał Boguszewski |
| author_sort | Marta Bożewicz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In theory, the coronavirus pandemic, with its wide-ranging implications for the functioning of societies around the world, cannot fail to have an impact on religiosity. We test whether this is really the case and investigate the scope and trend of changes in religious commitment using the example of Polish society. We make use of survey research conducted at various times on representative samples of Poles. Many studies have shown that in the face of destabilization and uncertainty, religious engagement gives hope and support, and therefore religiosity should be expected to increase during a pandemic. On the other hand, it can be assumed that a superficial and traditional religiosity, associated only with customary participation in Sunday religious practices, may weaken or even disappear when churches close. It emerges that both these phenomena can be observed in Polish society and, consequently, in the context of the pandemic, they are leading to religious polarization. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:26:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ed8c6401041d46c2806dce735be1cdf8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:26:53Z |
| publishDate | 2021-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-ed8c6401041d46c2806dce735be1cdf82023-11-22T09:29:20ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442021-07-0112857210.3390/rel12080572The COVID-19 Pandemic as a Catalyst for Religious Polarization in PolandMarta Bożewicz0Rafał Boguszewski1Faculty of Political Science and International Studies, Warsaw University, 00-927 Warsaw, PolandInstitute of Sociological Sciences and Pedagogy, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, PolandIn theory, the coronavirus pandemic, with its wide-ranging implications for the functioning of societies around the world, cannot fail to have an impact on religiosity. We test whether this is really the case and investigate the scope and trend of changes in religious commitment using the example of Polish society. We make use of survey research conducted at various times on representative samples of Poles. Many studies have shown that in the face of destabilization and uncertainty, religious engagement gives hope and support, and therefore religiosity should be expected to increase during a pandemic. On the other hand, it can be assumed that a superficial and traditional religiosity, associated only with customary participation in Sunday religious practices, may weaken or even disappear when churches close. It emerges that both these phenomena can be observed in Polish society and, consequently, in the context of the pandemic, they are leading to religious polarization.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/8/572pandemicPolandSARS-CoV-2religionreligious practicessecularization |
| spellingShingle | Marta Bożewicz Rafał Boguszewski The COVID-19 Pandemic as a Catalyst for Religious Polarization in Poland Religions pandemic Poland SARS-CoV-2 religion religious practices secularization |
| title | The COVID-19 Pandemic as a Catalyst for Religious Polarization in Poland |
| title_full | The COVID-19 Pandemic as a Catalyst for Religious Polarization in Poland |
| title_fullStr | The COVID-19 Pandemic as a Catalyst for Religious Polarization in Poland |
| title_full_unstemmed | The COVID-19 Pandemic as a Catalyst for Religious Polarization in Poland |
| title_short | The COVID-19 Pandemic as a Catalyst for Religious Polarization in Poland |
| title_sort | covid 19 pandemic as a catalyst for religious polarization in poland |
| topic | pandemic Poland SARS-CoV-2 religion religious practices secularization |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/12/8/572 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT martabozewicz thecovid19pandemicasacatalystforreligiouspolarizationinpoland AT rafałboguszewski thecovid19pandemicasacatalystforreligiouspolarizationinpoland AT martabozewicz covid19pandemicasacatalystforreligiouspolarizationinpoland AT rafałboguszewski covid19pandemicasacatalystforreligiouspolarizationinpoland |