Religious Restrictions During COVID

COVID Religion Restrictions

Nearly a quarter of all countries used force to prevent religious gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

An annual report published by the Pew Research Center found that authorities in nearly a quarter of the 198 countries and territories studied used physical means, such as arrests and prison sentences, to enforce coronavirus-related restrictions on worship services and other religious gatherings.

In 11 countries, the use of force against religious groups included physical assaults.

Christmas & Christianity Statistics

This study comes on the heels of another poll finding that while nine in ten Americans say they celebrate Christmas, "the role of religion in Christmas celebrations appears to be declining."

Fifty-six percent of U.S. adults say religious aspects of Christmas are emphasized less in American society today than in the past, yet over two-thirds of Americans are "not bothered" by this trend.

For instance, in 2013, 59% of Americans said they celebrated Christmas as a religious holiday; in 2017, that number dropped to 55%.

In 2005, 43% of Americans said they preferred stores to say, "Merry Christmas."

By 2017, that number was down to 32% - with over half of Americans saying it doesn't matter and 15% preferring "happy holidays" or "season's greetings."

This trend isn't surprising when you consider that in 2017, only 66% of Americans said they believe Jesus was born to a virgin, down from 73% in 2014.

While that statistic looked at all Americans, a closer look at Christians found that only 76% of Christians believe in all four of the following Biblical events: the virgin birth, wise men guided by a star bringing gifts, the announcement of Jesus’s birth by an angel, and that baby Jesus was laid in a manger.

Highlighting the nation's growing political divide, 75% of Republicans believe in all four elements while only 47% of Democrats say the same.