Religion, covid-19, and a Sense of Community: a Facebook Case Study

Abstract

Abstract The global lockdown caused by covid-19 sent people online in search of religious support. As a result, a religious community emerged within the Worldwide Unified Facebook group to pray and fast on Good Friday, April 10, 2020, for covid-19. Within seven days of its creation, a thriving and highly interactive 500,000+ member religious online community emerged consisting of individuals representing 99 countries and 32 religions. Through a mixed-method approach, this study investigated the Worldwide Unified member and administrator communication and how interaction within the online group fostered a Sense of Community, which can emerge from shared crises. Through an in-depth content analysis of more than 24,000 Facebook posts, this paper offers insight into how the Worldwide Unified leaders and members created a Sense of Community, highlights how social media groups influence individuals’ religiosity during times of crises, and offers suggestions on how religious leaders can utilize online groups to support communities facing crises.