THE AFTERMATH EFFECT OF COVID-19 ON RELIGION AND WORSHIP
Churches, mosques and religious houses, holy places previously filled with the overwhelming presence of believers as they bath the walls with fervent prayers now lay empty, void of life in the face of the raging COVID-19 pandemic. With the heavy imposition of lockdowns, strict compliance to social distancing and the outright ban of social gatherings, religious activities were undeniably affected as all religious leaders were forced to close their gates to worshippers. Many have taken to worship via digital means. This article will examine the aftermath effects of COVID-19 on religion and worship.
THE MANDATORY PRESENCE TO WORSHIP HOUSES, CUSHIONED.
Who will ever believe that Christians would stay in-doors and not be in the house of worship? Although this is not new in history. The admonitions not to miss church will no longer hold a strong effect on worshippers, as religious leaders are now telling its members to stay at home. What an irony. At first, it proved difficult with Mosques, but now, not so. Even some Catholics who believed that to miss Mass is a sin that requires confession will have reasons to re-examine that idea, after all, it is doubtful whether it is a doctrine of the church.
A psychologist, Ella, admits to us, that after the lockdown, people will be lazy to go to religious houses as they were once used to. Religious houses will no longer be Mandatory but necessary. Is this good or bad? Maybe Africans need to reduce religious fanaticism and embrace a little more of reality on how God truly works. But again, this may have a great impact on the morality of the society.
TECHNOLOGY, THE NEW HOUSE OF WORSHIP?
Many worshippers are now exposed to various possibilities brought about by fast-evolving and global technology. Emmanuel remembers in 2018 when he came back from Church and asked his friend Jude ‘you didn’t go to church?’ he replied ‘Hmm, I kind of. I followed through Mass on my phone’. They paused and started laughing. They reasoned after, that it was perhaps actually convenient save for the choral music, communion and shaking of hands (expression of love) that will be missed. Little did they know that the world will one day take to digital Mass.
Chinenye had a conversation with the Mother during the lockdown, who noted that she, for the first time, gets to see what truly goes on the alter at a close range.
Catholics are now getting used to spiritual communion, Christians are getting used to podcasts and digital videos (Some churches like Christ Embassy are kind of used to it, but they still attend church to use the projectors). Catholics, Anglicans and Methodists who require an ordained chief celebrant to lead the church service now uses a single videoed service followed by thousands and millions of parishioners from the comfort of their homes. Music is performed by a single- or 3-man choir. The physical communion is replaced with a spiritual one.
Although many are getting very comfortable with this new change forced upon us by the pandemic, many argue that physical communion can never be compared to or replaced by spiritual communion and it is easy to get distracted while following a service from home. Also, some stressed on Proverbs 27:17 – Iron sharpens iron, and a man sharpens the countenance of his friend – which explains the importance of communism.
For the Muslims, the rise of the pandemic brought about a complete halt to the Jumat celebration on Fridays as there was neither intention nor action taken to go digital. However, this had little or no effect on their daily prayers. In an interview with a Muslim friend, she said, “Before the pandemic, a majority of ladies do pray at home. It is mostly the men that go to the mosque. Since the onset of the pandemic, most mosques have been closed but the one on my street has been reopened. Only 20 people are allowed inside the mosque while the rest pray outside. It has never been compulsory for us to take our daily prayers in the mosque. It can as well be done from home”.
SUBSCRIPTIONS TO RELIGIOUS MEDIA HANDLES ON THE RISE
Funny enough, religious houses needed no advertisement from marketing agencies. People voluntarily took to following their Church media handles to maintain a spiritual touch. Various religious digital channels were rapidly created, and existing ones saw an explosion of subscribers. Eventually, a place of worship was created in every home who received the change with open arms.
RATE OF OFFERINGS, TITHE, ETC, ON THE LOW
While Religious houses are spending a lot to keep the spiritual bond with its members and subscribers, the aspects of offering and tithes are no longer effective. Although some Christians still send out money to their pastors and priest for upkeep, some sponsors contribute to the digital worship, but many no longer pay tithes and offerings and the religious houses can understand as the lockdown has an economic impact. No one knows how bad it will be after the lockdown, but economists are saying it’s going to take years to recover from the economic impact.
THE FAITH IN GOD, Threatened or Strengthened?
Many have wondered why God maintains silence while ‘few bad men’ take over the world if the conspiracy theory is true; some have expressed dissatisfaction over God’s silence on the COVID-19 disease. On the other hand, many are saying this is God’s sent to warn us all; some say these are signs of the end time.
However, we noticed at first that many are taking it slow on their vices and trying to live an upright life, but now, many are returning to their normal lives and choosing to believe that this is a normal phase.
The Question – Take Home
It was Denny Crane who answered Alan Shore in the famous legal tv series – Boston Legal, that if God exists and you have lived your life in total disregard of his presence and laws, then you are so fucked! He said – practically, it is wiser to believe than not to.
After all, what are his commands? That you work and prosper; that you be fair and good in all your dealings; and that you believe you will not be in hell but have life in heaven. What is there to resist?
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56 Responses
I enjoyed reading this. However, you kind of lost me at the end as someone who is Agnostic. There’s no need to force ourselves to believe in something just because it may exist.
Interesting perspective Veev, I wouldn’t say the end forces any belief nor fall under ‘Agnostic’.
It made a practical assessment of what is there to loose assuming it is true or not.
And practically, it is better to be on the side where there is nothing to lose, than where there may be everything to lose.
We cherish your tenacity.
I think worshipers will still return to physically attending mass for the purpose of receiving communion and receiving the sacrament of penance. As usual, the church will have strategies in place to restore things back to how they once were but it will be gradual.
Nice write up.
Interesting. Let’s hope so.
Great! This is the kind of stuff everyone should be reading oo. Let’s share this as much as we can people. Kudos Chinenye!
Lol, we thank you.
For me, it doesn’t change my spirituality through these recent times I don’t follow masses online or pray like I used to, but it’s pertinent to know that my resolve isn’t altered in any way by this pandemic.however, the society and world will witness an abrupt change which in my opinion will challenge the existing statutes and recourse to human existence and the practices of things and I find it appealing. It will abolish ill norms and at so set a new standard to our existence as individuals and societies.
This is a commendable one. The ongoing situation brings us to understand the difference between religiosity and spirituality. Only the deeply spiritual will come out refined.
Nicely done
Thank you Thanos.
This write up for sure pointed out the situation changing era we see now for all in the world. People will certainly see things differently after the pandemic… Another wonderful write up.
Thanks Chu Chu. Change is one thing that is unavoidable.
We thank you, Chu Chu. We live for readers like you.
I like the subtle evangelism done at the end. We’re definitely in peculiar times and we all need to sure up our relationships with God. One of the positives however is the fact that after this, we know we can now connect to church from the comfort of our homes and the need to be physically present won’t exist. This may reduce the revenue for our pastors as its easier to persuade people to give when they’re physically present but then ,it could help people participate in church activities like
Midweek services a lot better, which could improve our spiritual lives. Good job.
Thank you Oloye. Those are definitely some of the advantages.
Wow, Oloye, I really love your comment and keen eyes to detail.
Well well, the thing about this pandemic is how it cuts across everything, like everything and here you guys really dissected some major happenings in the church and others. I think the writer said it all. But o well my belief is Nothing misses God, God misses nothing. Even the wicked is created for a purpose and He already is making it work together for the good of His children, such a grand Orchestrator.
Thank you Nnanna. Well said.
Indeed Nnanna, indeed.
Nice post, keep it up
Thanks, Sho Sho.
Thank you Sho Sho.
Nice article. The mindset of so many religions fanatics, I pray it changes for the better.
Very intriguing, really this is a wake up call for us all
This is a beautiful piece which tries to answer some of the basic questions raised in the face of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.
I have always maintained that the standard of the world, our way of life will no longer remain the same when this dust finally settles.
I am drawn to the religious part of the article. Africans are known to be over religious with mega churches and mosques scattered all over the place. The resolve of these worship centres will be tested. A lot of people are gradually getting used to staying at home on Sundays thanks to the impact of COVID-19. There is no longer that urge to prepare, leave on time and try to get the first space on the front pews.
If this lingers further, it will shake from the foundation even the most hardened religious person. Lots of pastors will starve as members will reluctantly not see the need for tithes and seed sowing.
The 21st century has never experienced anything like this. We are all optimistic, praying and hoping it will someday become a forgone conclusion. Then we can go back, living our normal lives.
One thing is certain, a lot of mundane, ceremonial things people used to do will be given a really long look.
Shocking and shaking.
Indeed.
Thanks Caleb. It sure is.
As usual, a wonderful read. In regards to the effect of this pandemic on religion, I believe Christian are affected more than Islam. In as much as their is video stream of mass/service, it could only reach so far when you put into consideration data to stream, light issues to watch live on TV even disregarding home distractions but Islam on the other hand have always had prayers daily, whether at home or work even by the road. But at the end, I’d advise we better not loose ourselves and always pray without ceasing. Thank you
True, Islam is a way of life, they say. Christianity is supposed to be so too by Jesus’ example. But here we are.
If the services we hold every Sunday raise good and godly people in the society, the end of the pandemic will reveal it. Time is revelation.
Wow, I love the way you put it, Adesina.
Thank you Adesina. A very big truth.
Thank you, Kelvin. A good word of advice.
Nice write up,
Its actually a two way thing, and both of them are at extremes…I believe after this period,we shall either have very true christian worshipers or an extremely indifferent group of persons judging from my own little observation.
True, Donald. It’s a two-way coin.
Most Christians were caught up with going to church every Sunday and weekdays forgetting what Christianity should be. I see the lockdown and temporary close of places of worship as a time for us to recollect and refuel, build our personal relationship with God and understand that going to church is supposed to fuel our relationship with God and not just what we add on our checklists.
Lovely write-up Chinenye.
Powerful words, Deborah.
Thank you Deborah. This is truly a time we can all use to reflect.
Nice writeup, despite the fact that it affected both common religion(christianity and islam) i think islam felt the major blow due to the fact that the online system might be effective for the muslims to make use of, unlike the way it is for the Christians and moreover as a christian we are the church not our so called buildings… at the end of it all i just pray and hope this corona shit is gone as early as possible because things are getting tougher everyday… it is well with our souls 🙏
Thank you, Kayode.
This is a wake up call for us all
Nice observation…keep it up
Thank you Chinedu.
True.
Thank you Franklin. it is.
This is a wake up call for us all.
Thank you very much Kayode.
You guys did justice to it… Weldone and more wisdom to your cerebrum
Thank you, Chioma.
Thank you Chioma.
I love this!!!!! De Critic you guys are wonderful writers.
thanks, we are glad.
Nice write up….we are questioning a lot of things now…a whole lot….
Lol. Rita, the way you put it, will make anyone so sceptic about everything. Rene Descartes doubt.
Thank you Jon. we appreciate.