Transformation of religious consciousness in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: a philosophical aspect

The purpose of the study was to reveal the transformations of religious consciousness in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper analyzes the changes that have occurred in the content and structure of individual and mass religious consciousness, investigates the specifics of individual religiosity, methods, and mechanisms of constructing religious bricolage under quarantine conditions, and considers the eschatological essence of religious myth-making, determined by the fear of death from a new coronavirus infection. Findings of research show that the way religious consciousness reacts to the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic consists in the active formation and dissemination of “personal religiosity”, free from doctrinal attitudes, which does not recognize the principles of isolation and exclusivity. The center of religious life is shifting from religious institutions to individuals who independently form models of beliefs that are first of all convenient for them personally. The study revealed the strengthening of the process of religious myth-making and interpretive practices.

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