New religious consciousness during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

New religions emerging in the lives of modern humans are a reaction to several changes related to the appreciation of people's faith. Pope Francis's call in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) is addressed to Bishops, Priests, Deacons, religious men and women, and the people of God regarding the proclamation of the Gospel to the contemporary world. This call arises due to various issues faced by hierarchs, pastoral workers, and the world's situation affecting evangelization and the appreciation of faith. The research problem formulation in this study is as follows: What is a new religion? Why are there new religious movements? The methodology used in this research involves library research, i.e., books, articles, journals that discuss themes related to the title of this article. In addition to using library methods, the study also employs critical reflection on new religions through interviews with several heads of families, specifically the faith experiences of Catholic families who tested positive for Covid-19 and Catholic families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The main findings of the study are the role of the family in facing Covid-19, grounded in prayer, the word, and the Eucharist. Another finding is that technological advancements are continuously changing over time. This also influences family life. To respond to these changes, the importance of family faith in building a solid life is emphasized. By solid, it is meant adapting to changes without leaving God behind. God is the source of everything that happens in the universe.