Paper short abstract:

Using ethnographic data collected from Christian and Buddhist groups in Greater Manchester, this paper considers changes in four aspects of religion in Britain, namely: sense of community, authority and decision-making, placemaking, and the relationship between religious communities and public life.

Paper long abstract:

The COVID-19-driven restriction of movements and public activities in Britain from early 2020 triggered an increased application of digital technology. Prior research suggests that British religious life has been affected by this rise in digitization. Although the digitization-motivated changes in religion in Britain began before the pandemic, recent research suggests that COVID-19 and the resultant rise in digitization have had an additional impact on religious communities. As Britain settles into a “post-pandemic” era, earlier observed “changes” in British religious life should be reconsidered to understand whether they are short-lived or more permanent. This paper presents the findings of a hybrid ethnographic study conducted from February to September 2023 – over two years after the first COVID-19 restrictive measures were imposed in Britain, and more than one year after most or all the restrictive measures obstructing physical religious gatherings were lifted. Using data collected from Christian and Buddhist groups in Greater Manchester, the paper considers changes in four aspects of religion in Britain, namely: sense of community, authority and decision-making, placemaking, and the relationship between religious communities and public life. Among other things, the paper will highlight visible and less visible long-term changes in British religious life that have emerged from the pandemic and the attendant rise in digitization.