Heaven Help Us?

Chelsea Patterson

Nick Johnson

The unemployment rate is rising, and the job market is shrinking. People are doing whatever they can to try to hold on to their jobs, savings, houses…and faith?
A new study by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life shows that, “contrary to recent media reports” that suggest the weakened economy has caused an increase in church attendance, actually there has been little change.
Between October 2008 and January 2009, the value of the Dow has decreased by over half, but data from the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press show “no increase in weekly worship service attendance”.
So, media moguls and Pew, which is it? Athenians are equally conflicted.
People may turn to family, friends, church, or other outlets for tension. Some citizens say that church is not a likely option. Rick Janzer, a grounds maintenance worker for The University of Georgia, thinks that people turn to other sources of strength during these difficult times. “They get closer to their spouse,” he said. “[They have] more open communication.”
Of course, people don’t have to choose between God and other people for support. “Maybe it’s a mix of both,” said Teresa Canon, who works downtown at Bel-Jean Copy & Print Center.
Other Athens residents believe that attendance at their religious institutions have actually increased. Chelsea Patterson, an undergraduate at UGA, said “I’ve always been a churchgoer myself, so I kind of grew up in church.” She added, “[the economy…] really didn’t affect me.”
It has affected the attendance level of those around her, though. “I’ve noticed it has gone up,” she said, concerning her experience at her Baptist church.
Some church leaders have noticed changes, too. Nick Johnson, a graduate student at UGA who attends a nondenominational church, said that the topic came up during a recent church service. “The preacher made a comment about that on Sunday,” he said, “making a joke like everybody’s trying to find some comfort somewhere, and it’s not the government. They’re going to go to church more.”
Johnson has also noticed a difference for himself. “I know for a fact at my church back home[…] attendance has gone up since the economy’s been down,” he said. He thinks that turning to faith is a viable option in times of hardship. “They’ve lost faith in the government,” he said, “so I guess the next best thing is church, to some people.”
In the face of the flailing economy, though, it can be a source of hope. “I guess that’s one good thing,” he said.