Religion in Quarantine

Religious Studies at Texas A&M University… offers an interdisciplinary minor drawing on the research expertise of faculty members from across the College of Liberal Arts, including courses on ancient and modern religions, religious practices and literatures, methods in the study of religion, and social issues around religion. Current faculty research such topics as modern Jewish philosophy, digital religion, Hispanic and Latinx religion, American religious history, Islam, Hinduism, religion and the environment, and contemplative studies. Campbell, Heidi A

Religion in Quarantine: The Future of Religion in a Post-Pandemic World Edited by Heidi A Campbell Editorial Assistance by Sophia Osteen All essays remain the property and under the copyright of their respective authors. Religion in Quarantine:

(cc) 2020 BY-NC-SA The Future of Religion in a This Creative Commons license lets others cite, adapt, and build upon this work non-commercially, as long as they credit this original work Post-Pandemic World and license their new creations under the identical terms. Derivative works may not be sold for profit.

Edited by Heidi A Campbell

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Digital Religion Publications An Imprint of the Network for New Media, Religion & Digital Culture Studies

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cannot afford classes, and subsidies for out for subsidies and classes, afford cannot tow invi and virus the by on brought disruption All ofthese organizationsopenly acknowledge the financial predicament ways of chaos, death, and suffering, and to to and suffering, and death, chaos, of ways predicament propositi religion’s in seek to practice, and thinking religious in prominent more becomes health physical how for look to us encourage I bodies. suffering on centered chaos social current the epi ordered corporeality sacred and b of proposition this seriously, Taken sacred. the of status the with order an body own one’s in perceive to willingness the and body, own one’s with others of suffering the meeting compels soter a social as as well individual as Health, . moment, present the toward attitude transformational take a practices these disrupted, been has “energy” as described often so retreats and practice shared of closeness physical the While some that awareness full with vulnerable, are bodies when intervenes practices these in spirituality embodied of sense The devotion. collective and sites, sacred symbols, rituals, shared around oriented religions may be le actually community and sensation embodied on quarantine of effects The teachers. and musicians, speakers, worl the around from participants drawn has and environment virtual Zoom’s to suited uniquely is Meditation” Tuning Wide “World Her listening.” “deep as known experience meditations that transf that meditations sonic introduced 2016), (d. Oliveros Pauline composer American RELIGIO

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practices. contemplative and ritual, intellectual history, contemporary spiritual practices,dance, medieval on published has She Studies. Religious Interdisciplinary Donnalee death. and life unknowing, and knowing order, and chaos between remember in that the world’smythologies, humans oscillate Garrison Institute. (n.d.) Retrieved from from Retrieved (n.d.) Institute. Garrison Pyron, J. (2020). Q & A: Raquel Acevedo Klein, Ione, & Claire Claire & Ione, Klein, Acevedo Raquel A: & Q (2020). J. Pyron, P transcendence: De/constructing (2012). W. Bauman, & J. Haag, ralaya Yoga. from(2020). ralaya Retrieved

dancemditation https://dancemeditation.org/product/spring oliveross claire - https://operawire.com/q wo “The Chaseon the virtual performanceof Pauline Oliveros’s https://www.pralayayoga.com/ Leiden: Brill. meaning religious of construction and the science Modern body: the and Religion (Eds.), Norris Sachs R. and Cave D. In bodies. religious of emergence The https://w

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Taves, A. (2009). Religious experience reconsidered: A building A reconsidered: experience Religious (2009). A. Taves, Spirit Rock. (2020).Nonresidential programs. Retrieved from RELIGIO

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Resisting Reagan: The U.S. Central America America U.S. The Smith, Central (1996)Reagan: Resisting C. Leaños‘ TexasFebruary (2019, R. Jr., 26). He

Hattam, (2016) V. Crittenden, A. (1988). Sanctuary: A s A Sanctuary: (1988). A. Crittenden, Comparati and Gender, Movements, and Mexican American Studies,American Religion,Social Latina/o include interests research and teaching His University. Hinojosa Felipe RELIGIO

rnández, K. L. (2010). (2010). L. K. rnández, p dragtavist 2/26/697958528/texasr.org/2019/0 https://www.np s p and the l the US the N IN Q INN tage tage eace atrol b . . m – order Oakland, CA: UniversityOakland, CA: of California UARANTINE Mexicoborder wall.

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college towns far away from family, I’ve had to create my own own my create to had I’ve family, from away far towns college in Living foods. traditional the eating and politics discussing grandmother’s my at sitting are memories childhood holiday. fondest favorite My my beenPassover always has table. Seder the at person Jewish only the was I exceptions, few With house. our in people forty than more with occasionally twenty years (off and on, but mostly on), we on), mostly but on, and (off years twenty past the For celebration. Passover our in share to home our into colleagues and friends welcoming of tradition meaningful a of beginning the mark would Seder this that time the at realize Jew only the Iwas and us, of six were There husband. my now is who man the with Seder first my held I 1998, April In community. My family’s Seder wasnoexception. of their members other and friends, household), their near in Seders when Jewish families around the worldparticipated year their in this significance renewed a on took Seder the to question central this Seder, Passover a at person youngest the by year every Asked nights?” other all from different night this is “Why celebrations. whatwe might with do our future holiday familyPassover Seder, pushing us to consider had both apositive andnegative i This reflection considers how the pandemic

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Future of Religion in a Post-Pandemic World

the dining table so that she could see everyone. everyone. see could she that so table dining the of corner a on phone the set and FaceTime on back her called we S the of part be her have and FaceTime on back her call we suggested daughter younger my up, hung we after just But coronavirus. the for positive tested residents the of one after lockdown complete on was building apartment Her mother who lives retirement in a co my called we Seder, the started we before just evening, That us. for and guests our for convenient be would it when weekend the until waiting than rather Passover of night On hand.” other the “on hand,” one the “on of bit a was year this Seder Passover My that. of all changed pandemic the year, this But lot. a — laughed we and philosophy, and literature, academics, politics, enough courageous were (many food symbolic the ate story, Passover the read friends and colleagues willing to share this tradition with me. We many so have to grateful so was I way, existential an in lonely Although tradition. this share to wish I whom with Seder table and fill it with people about whom care I deeply and RELIGIO a we experience, rare A food. prepare to day all home was I and school, to off head to morning next the early rise to need not would daughter younger our time, this over held typically conference a at being of was daughter elder our schools, the closed pandemic the because hand, other the On cake. chocolate flourless our and brisket, horseradish, and fish gefilte soup, ball matzo matzo, sharing friends of crowd

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Future of Religion in a Post-Pandemic World

theory. feminist and education, of philosophy philosophy, French contemporary philosophy, Jewish modern of intersection rese conducts and teaches she Levinas, Emmanuel of work the on specialist A Faculties. of Dean Associate Philosophy Texas at A&MUniversity, where shecurrently is of Professor and Arts Liberal the in Teaching Distinguished Katz Claire RELIGIO

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congregation has embraced technology as a strategy for for strategy a as technology embraced has congregation the ago, years ten over arrival Leon’s De Dan Pastor Since TechnologyAdoption at Friends New of congregation. the for opportunities creates and challenges poses worship lightof in the COVID online to transition the discusses essay This denomination. Protestant mainline a Christ, of Church United the of affiliate an is Friends church. antiracist an be to means it what discussing immigrant rights, addressing the needs of unhous of needs the addressing rights, immigrant for fighting change, climate counter to responsibility Christian accommodating/welcoming disabled individuals, articulating including causes, progressive other and equality marriage

are welcome. Over the years, the congregationthe years, the Over welcome. are and affirming," indicating that LGBTQ+ individuals families and "open is church The university. public large its for known best city Texas central a in located church Christian progressive sized F Texas, Station, College in Located “What when it is scattered it might seem small. But, when it's planted, planted, it's when But, small. seem might it scattered is it when when rooted, it is grows it into something larger than life.” Reimagining Church after Quarantine: Online Worship at at Worship Online Quarantine: after Church Reimagining is a good im good a is new opportunities for the church. Going online poses new challenges and creates Pastor Dan De Leon, Friends Church Friends Leon, De Dan Pastor age for God’s kingdom? Consider the church, church, the Consider kingdom? God’s for age

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Future of Religion in a Post-Pandemic World

since 2004. Social American Latin of Handbook Oxford forthcoming, the in chapter religion and social movements inAmerica. Latin authored He a SociologyTexas atUniversity. A&M His researchfocuseson ertRob Sean Mackin is AssociateProfessor of Instructional em quarantine is likely to outof grow choicenormal new as a the during necessity of out created community digital The technology. through congregation the to ties their rekindled have and immuno the COVID for members participate who remotely. What is more,until vaccine a extend their onlinepresence. Doing so will help incorporate churches like Friends will needmaintain to expect and I future, the In faith? their and another one to relationship congregation’s the of character the affect online services all moving will how Also, Church? Friends affect quarantine ques many provoked service This anticipation. also but grief, of introspection, for time a usually is Sunday Palm Conclusion support. and love expressing another, one to responding were members and posted, were prayers New up. keep not ser the during requests several read pastor The RELIGIO

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Future of Religion in a Post-Pandemic World

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Future of Religion in a Post-Pandemic World

God, that is, Father Paneloux questions the (relative) value he value (relative) the questions Paneloux Father is, that God, his of mercy and justice the question than Rather faithful. God’s God’s will, he advises, then mustbecome it incidentthe to will of paris dramatically raises the stakesofhisexhortation to his he sermon, second a In theodicy. at attempt earlier his on down doubles Paneloux reexamination, critical to faith his subject or (a faith his to challenge ensuing the duck not does Paneloux Father ordeal? this ordained has deity What suffering. his exacerbates serum the anything, If convulsions. wracking and spasms u hard pressed to see (much less defend) less (much see to pressed hard be would one retribution, divine of exercise larger a in damage Evenone were if inclinedto classify the youngstercollateral as sins? his for punishment a as plague the deserves accounts, all this child that said be it Can plague. the by stricken been has magistrate, local the of son Othon, Philippe boy, young A events. of turn grave a by challenged is balance delicate This need. of hours their victi afflicted. thus He strikes familiar the balance a to between blaming the tending of mission the affirms nevertheless he themselves, RELIGIO death clearly is He deteriorate. to continues condition boy’s the and planned, as work not does serum the But plague. the over victory comprehensive more a for hope larger the of suggestive thus is recovery his to plagu the with associated symptoms worst the of some relieve to meant is that serum experimental an with injected been has Othon Young worsens. situation the And the deity whose will includes the sufferingofblameless children. nfortunate “side” effect of causing him to endure violent violent endure to him causing of effect “side” nfortunate nd so, to to so, nd plague and assisting them and their loved ones in in ones loved their and them assisting and ms of the plague hioners: I hioners: N IN Q INN his religious authority). Rather than question his God God his question than Rather authority). religious his f the death of the innocent child is incident to to incident is child innocent the of death the f UARANTINE

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Future of Religion in a Post-Pandemic World they are obliged to abide by social by abide to obliged are they abruptly changed in the post the in changed abruptly be of notions accepted our umma Arabic, (in people” or “community to attributed traditionally meanings the urgency, gain questions these As shrine/lodge? Sufi a visit or fast, or festivit funerals prayers, attend they cannot fulfill the ritualobligations, congregate for daily when Muhammad Prophet and God to promise their fulfill to debilitating and devastating impact impact devastating and debilitating its controlling sickness, the containing of issues the surrounding uncertainties the As moment. watershed a represents opinion, How community? their of members the with contact physical actual in being without bond moral and spiritual a maintain to How dilemma. challenging and unique a facing are globe the around all Muslims relentless the With

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From Physical to Virtual Pious Presence: Muslim Community Community Muslim Presence: Pious Virtual to Physical From and “being pious Consciousness Redefinedin the Ageof Coronavirus The meanings we attribute to being a“community” N IN Q INN social restrictions and isolation at times in stark stark in times at isolation and restrictions social coronavirus pandemic as communities adapt to UARANTINE ) are in flux. In this shortessay, propose I that today due to the devastating impact of the

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urged his fellow townsfolk, the Meccans, to submit to the the to submit to Meccans, the townsfolk, fellow his urged Allāh

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Future of Religion in a Post-Pandemic World

the post the in redefined being is which faith Muslim the of aspect one but prayers their in neighborho Friday the for congregate Muslims pious Friday, every that Infact, thephysical aspectof communal worship is so central traditions fulfilling and their promise to submitthe to will of God. commune, with their fello in yet and alone faith, their practicing peacefully congregate, can pious the where shrines) masjids, (mosques, locations worship in bonding physical on close also but principles or spiritual ethical tity reliesnot iden on only common This worship. of sanctuaries in God and Muhammad Prophet to believer every connects that code moral a and spirituality transcendent a is It boundaries. linguistic and national transcends identity particular This umma the of part being East, Middle the or Asia, America, North South, Global pious Muslimstoday, whether they live Europe, in Africa,the regional designations nonpolitical/partisan and affiliations. For RELIGIO

Following this decision, the Saudis also announced that annual suspe government Saudi the spread, disease’s the curb to effort In an here. cite to numerous too are Examples moment. the of exigencies the on depending basis, daily a on transformed being is pandemic As such religious obligations preservation and of centuriesover life of preservation of sense urgent an with practices religious to adjustments swift effect into put to lead the taking va umma the of member a being of principles More importantly, Muslims as envision future a which in the core rious governments with Muslim with governments rious nded the Umrah Pilgrimage to Mecca on March 31. 31. March on Mecca to Pilgrimage Umrah the nded

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g the to contrast in Jesus with relationship personal own one’s explore and out reach to encouragement and world, the in crises even handling in timing perfect God’s of explanations ministry, Jesus’s of nature personal the of explanations further were po such on comments the In compassion.” with them “heal to sick” were who those to near very “get rather would but studio” a of comfort the from proclamations proud and loud make not “would Jesus that admonitions by accompanied Copeland fri Multiple heart. at interests best his only have to perceived someone after following from people dissuade politics others,of messages I observed compassionate to seeking celebrating the clarityoftheir religious viewsopposition in to the values. its and Gospel the of message the to clarify seeking individuals saw I dismissal, or ridicule through preacher the with disidentifying of instead where virus, the for “cure” Copeland’s about stories sharing people with Facebook on began up. ground the from Christianity evangelical refining of moment ongoing and important an as serves pandemic coronavirus the that me to indicates online seen have I What RELIGIO

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Elsbach, K. D. and Bhattacharya, C. B. (2001). Defining who you you who Defining (2001). B. C. Bhattacharya, and D. K. Elsbach, Campbell, H. A. (2016). Framing thehuman Blair, L. (2020,April 6). TelevangelistKenneth Copeland calls Communication at Texas A&M University. A&M Texas at Communication Zachary Sheldon along. Joel Osteen, Copelands among 10 10 among Copelands Osteen, Bote, (2019, Joel 17). J. June evangelica that changes societal and moral RELIGIO

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