Do mountains move faith?

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between exposure to the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan and religiosity. We use detailed information on 19,340 Pakistani individuals, including time devoted to religious activities and the intensity of the damage generated by the earthquake, to analyze how religiosity is related to earthquake exposure. Our key finding is that exposure to the earthquake positively correlates with religiosity. This finding supports the religious coping hypothesis that individuals enhance religiosity following an extreme event. We also observe that the strength of religious coping varies with education and age. Additionally, men and women differ regarding the relationship between exposure to the earthquake and religiosity. Finally, we find that being affected by the earthquake is associated with higher social and individual religiosity. • We investigate the connection between the 2005 Pakistan earthquake and religiosity. • Earthquake exposure is positively associated with religiosity. • Earthquake exposure is associated with higher social and individual religiosity. • The results support the religious coping hypothesis. • The strength of religious coping increases with education and age.