TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry Head of research, development, education, and training, Achmad Gunaryo, on Thursday claims that its recent study suggests the Indonesian society has become more religious during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The study he refers to was done by the Ministry’s research and development division. The ministry used an accidental sampling or non-probable survey.

“Our survey that was conducted online from March 8 - March 17, 2021, found that the majority of respondents or 81 percent felt they became more religious since the pandemic,” said Gunaryo, citing the Ministry’s official website on July 22.

Moreover, 97 percent of respondents also felt that their belief or religion helped them survive the coronavirus pandemic and its wider effects. The survey involved 1,550 respondents that consisted of Covid-19 sufferers, survivors, and the general public in 34 provinces in Indonesia.

In detail, there were 55.1 percent of respondents who agree that Covid-19 has affected their religious practice and 61.6 percent think that the prolonged pandemic made them find the meaning of life.

As mentioned before, 81 percent of respondents believe they have become more religious since the pandemic struck the country and 97 percent said their religious beliefs helped them psychologically throughout the pandemic. 89.4 percent said they received mental and spiritual support from religious figures and religious communities. Only 22.1 percent of respondents claimed they seeked psychological or religious counseling amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

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VALMAI ALZENA KARLA