Religious studies

Examine the response of a particular religion to the coronavirus crisis. It should be a religion that is familiar to you, either your own, or closely related. You should discuss, if possible, the official response by global/national leaders of the religion, and popular/local responses by individuals and communities.

Your essay must include the following information:

Give the full name of the religion (Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, etc.) and what branch of that religion (i.e. Orthodox, Baptist, Soto Zen, etc.), and the geographic location or locations mentioned in your sources.
Locate, and give the full web link to at least 3 reliable news sources that discuss the response of this religion to the coronavirus. For newspaper/news articles or videos, examples include CNN, The New York Post, Al Jazeera, BBC News, Time. You may also use web pages or articles written by the leadership of the religion or the place of worship, i.e. statements by bishops, imams, pastors, rabbis, or statements from the web page of the place of worship you’re discussing. Social media posts by private individuals stating their own opinions or responses online do not count as sources, they must be institutional or journalistic!
Has the global/national religious leadership given a public statement responding to the virus? What is the main point or points of this statement, and what religious teachings or values does the statement refer to in support of its points? Is their statement complying with the orders and advice of government and health officials, or rejecting it? Why or why not? Give the web link to the statement.
What has been the reaction from members of this religion? Have they agreed with/followed the directions of their leadership, or disagreed? Do they give reasons for their response? Are they complying with government and health requirements or not?
Describe in detail any physical changes in services of worship. Has the religion stopped live services of worship? Is it practicing social distancing in places of worship? Are members of the religion engaged in any volunteer or charitable work to help victims of the coronavirus and its economic/social effects?
If you examine the response of a specific place of worship, please answer the following. Is the place of worship part of a larger religious institution, or is it independent? Give the full web address of the place, and the web link for any online pictures/videos/live feeds that you saw.
You should not describe or explain the religion’s beliefs, practices, or doctrines in general, just what it is doing differently, or how it is responding to the epidemic.
Again, your essay should be between 1000 and 1200 words.