Put extra stress on the population and there will be many who will turn to anything, including religion. Like a drowning man who will grab at anything, a life bouy or a life guard but those who are already on the fringe will quickly devolve into drinking seawater and trying to swim with the sharks.

I think as religions go on the decline, there will be many "crazies" who will come out to try to defend it or keep it going.

Trump and the spineless obstructionist republican fascists bought out before the 2020 election!!!

They tried to make the Pandemic the catalyst for a religious, cultural, enslavement of all of us!!!

Be Proud…….You quit something that’s as hard as quitting drugs / alcohol.

I'm just legitimately curious, does one DECIDE to be an atheist by changing his beliefs, or by changing his label?

While they've been with us all along , their loud stupidity and lack of a current war , has increased their visibility in both the news and media . These days we frequently see where religious leaders who stood against any efforts to prevent or reduce the spread of the corona virus , are dying from the disease , and that's how they are making the headlines .

Group think is a dangerous thing. You need not be ashamed of what you were born into….

Cream always rises to the top. Sometimes it has more milk and water to go through than other times so it takes longer.

Like many people, you were raised in a family of believers, who indoctrinate their children from birth to adulthood. Never feel shame for something that was pushed on you as a child. Be glad that you figured it all out and left that garbage behind. We are glad you’re here!

Nothing to be ashamed of, you have put religion in the past. You can educate the ignorant, but you can't do anything for the stupid.

No it is NOT just you friend, like rats and cockroaches the Religiotards tend to emerge enmass as soon as your back is turned or your guard is down.
So chin up, keep on being an Atheist and VERBALLY stomp a Religiotard at every opportunity.

Because of the leftist / socialist / Marxist / Communist leanings of most users of this site, I tend to discount most opinions and viewpoints expressed herein.

Never be ashamed of ignorance, never be ashamed of mistakes, never be ashamed of what you have done, for every baby is born ignorant, prone to error and selfish, we all have to grow up. Only be ashamed if you are too lazy cowardly or too uncaring to change and move on, when you have reason to know or do better. You did, so rant over.

It is not just you. Trumpism, the pandemic, and extremely uncertain times has made more religious crazies come out of the woodwork. Along with this, take a look at recent suicides. From the young to the actor who voiced Charlie Brown. Lies and uncertain times produce confused people.

You saved yourself from all that nonsense so well done

I think it is more related to "Trumpism" than to the pandemic.

No need to feel "shame". You made the change.
The past is the past.

It's definitely affecting people but I think it'll be a while before we understand (if we ever do).

From Salon: 'COVID-19 is making us less religious — with some curious exceptions'. [salon.com]