The Faith Community and the SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak: Part of the Problem or Part of the Solution?

Abstract

The current outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is a critical moment in time for institutional religion in the USA and throughout the world. Individual clergy and congregations, across faith traditions, have been sources of misinformation and disinformation, promoting messages and actions that engender fear, animosity toward others, and unnecessary risk-taking. But there is a positive role for religion and faith-based institutions here, and many examples of leaders and organizations stepping up to contribute to the collective recovery. Personal faith and spirituality may be a source of host resistance and resilience. Religiously sponsored medical care institutions are vital to health care response efforts. Ministries and faith-based organizations are source of religious health assets that can help to meet community-wide needs. There is a pastoral role for clergy and laypeople who are instrumental in providing comfort and strength to the suffering and fearful in our midst. The outbreak presents an ethical challenge to all of us to step outside of our own preoccupations and to be present and of service for others. This includes having the courage to represent the highest values of our faith in speaking out against religiously motivated foolishness and hatred and in calling for political and public health leaders to be truthful and transparent in their messages to us.

Effects of Spirituality, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices toward Anxiety Regarding COVID-19 among the General Population in INDONESIA: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Improving the level of spirituality is potentially a valuable strategy to restrain mental illness [32], psychological impacts, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety [33]. However, personal spirituality may become the source of host resistance and/or resilience [34]. Therefore, a reasonably high level of spirituality may be associated with reduced or increased anxiety.…”

Immediate psychological impacts on the inmates of a quarantine-isolation facility in North Kashmir: a pilot study

“…37,38 Some elders among the inmates, took a lead and counseled the new arrivals and many youngsters on the importance of routine prayers and some special religious recitations (Duaa's) to tide over adversity and enhance resilience. 39 For the willing inmates even yoga sessions were conducted on few occasions. 40,41 As part of relaxation 52% inmates (157 of 301) listened to music on mobile phones, both recreational i.e.…”

Desconocimiento como factor de riesgo para contraer COVID-19: ¿A qué nos enfrentamos?

“…15 La práctica de la religión, el cultivo de la espiritualidad y las expresiones de fe pueden mejorar nuestra capacidad de recuperación, física y psicológicamente, y mitigar los trastornos del estado de ánimo, como la depresión y la ansiedad, que se sabe desde hace muchos años que exacerban las enfermedades e inhiben la recuperación al disminuir nuestra respuesta inmune. 16 Sin embargo, cabe aclarar que la práctica de la espiritualidad no se exime de las medidas básicas preventivas contra el COVID-19; como evitar acudir a lugares concurridos, la higiene de manos, el uso de mascarilla, sana distancia; medidas que se recomienda adoptar en cada uno de sus centros espirituales y llevar acabo para así disminuir la propagación.…”