Coronavirus pandemic
The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

A quarter of Americans, and a majority of black Protestants, say their religious faith has deepened because of the coronavirus

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April 30, 2020 at 4:23 p.m. EDT
The Rev. Greg Friedman, center, leads fellow Franciscan Friars in prayer at the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America on March 30 in Washington. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)

One in four Americans say the coronavirus has deepened their religious faith, a poll released Thursday found, including a majority of black Protestants. Just 2 percent said the virus has left their faith weakened.

Pew Research found the trend of strengthened faith primarily among Americans who are already religious -- people who frequently pray, attend services in normal times and rate religion as important to them.