To Cope with Pandemic, Americans Choose Binge-Watching TV Over the Bible

(RNS) — When it comes to coping with the stress and uncertainty of a pandemic, most Americans are turning not to God, but to TV.

That’s just one of the findings of a Pew Research Center survey released Friday (Aug. 7) on how the novel coronavirus pandemic has impacted the worship habits of Americans.

Pew surveyed 10,211 American adults online between July 13 and 19.

Here’s what the nonpartisan fact tank found.

TV is our best friend.

To help them cope with the pandemic, most Americans said they are staying home to watch Netflix and chill: 89% reported that they are watching TV or movies daily or weekly. This includes 90% of all Christians, 87% of Jews and 88% of the religiously unaffiliated, according to Pew.

Many Americans (84%) also are spending time outdoors or talking by phone or video with family and friends (70%), the survey said.

But fewer are turning to their faith for support.

More than half (55%) reported praying at least weekly, followed by reading Scripture (29%), meditating (26%) and practicing yoga (8%, despite the popularity of YouTube’s Yoga with Adriene in quarantine).

Those most likely to seek comfort in spirituality at least once a week — prayer, Scripture reading and meditation — are members of historically Black Protestant churches, followed by evangelical Protestants.

Churches shouldn’t get exceptions.

Months into the pandemic, some houses of worship are…