Religion and disaster: Popular religious attitudes to disaster and death with special reference to the Mt. Kembla and Appin coal mine disasters∗

Piggin, Stuart

doi:10.1080/14443058109386826

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Praying positively improved their ability to cope by giving them the reassurance that every event is caused by God, a belief which provided them with the strength to face the event. This is in line with different studies showing that religious beliefs provide people with a sense of power, intrinsic self-worth, optimism, low level of depression and a feeling of control and safety (Ai et al , 2013; Fujiwara, 2013; Bradshaw and Ellison, 2010; Piggins, 1981). Overall, having a stronger belief in God contrasted with a fatalistic attitude and rather improved community efforts for both coping and recovery.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Various studies have increasingly emphasized the role of religion in disaster (Johakim and White, 2015; Gaillard, 2010; Gaillard and Texier, 2010; Schmuck, 2000; Chester, 2005; Gillard and Paton, 1999) but findings often diverge. Some researchers found that religion may foster positive re-evaluations of a disaster, protect individuals from suicidal tendency and give people a feeling of control and safety post-disaster (Zaumseil et al , 2014; Stratta et al , 2014; Fujiwara, 2013; Piggins, 1981). Other studies identified more negative aspects, including fatalistic views on risks and disasters, divisions in the community and rivalry between its members, as well as between a religious community and those who are not involved in religious practices within such community (Paradise, 2005; Fountain et al , 2015; Guarnacci, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The role of religious beliefs and practices in disaster

Gianisa

Dé

2018

DPM

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Purpose Over the last few years, there has been an increase of research interest on the role of religion in disaster. While some emphasize the positive role of religions during and after disasters, others rather point out that religion may lead to low perception of risk and create a fatalistic attitude in the face of such events. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the vivid debate on the role of religious beliefs and practices in disaster response and recovery, using the earthquake that hit Padang city in Indonesia in 2009. Design/methodology/approach A review of reports and policy documents published by the government and non-government organizations was done to understand external aid provided during and after the 2009 earthquake. Fieldwork was conducted from April to May 2016 in Padang city. Interviews were done with religious followers and leaders of the Muslim community, as the main religion in the country, and Confucians community, as the biggest minority in the area. Findings Drawing on interviews done with religious followers and leaders, the study highlights that religious beliefs and practices bond local people together and contributed to successful coping with disasters. It also emphasizes that religious communities can fill response and recovery gaps, such as when external intervention is limited. Practical implications Religious beliefs and practices, combined with other mechanisms, should be integrated within disaster risk reduction disaster management and activities as this would help build more resilient communities. Originality/value Indonesia is a country where religion is very important, being the biggest Muslim country worldwide. It is also highly vulnerable to natural-hazards related disasters. Yet, little research has been done in Indonesia on the role of religion during and after disasters. This paper aims to explore the role of religious beliefs and practices in disasters in the area where religion plays an important role in people’s everyday life.

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