Effect of Earthquake on Religious Beliefs and Practices

Abstract

In recent past the entire world has been frequently subjected to natural disasters of catastrophic nature like earthquakes, tsunamis, tornados, floods, volcanic eruptions etc. These disasters bring mass destruction with them including loss of life, shelter, property and physical infrastructure. These losses not only affect social and economic life of people but their religious life as well that brings change in their beliefs, rituals, norms and moral values. A colossal earthquake hit regions of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and AJ&K of Pakistan in 2005. In order to measure the effect of earthquake on religious beliefs and practices of affecties, village Belyani was intentionally selected to conduct a qualitative research study because it lies in union council Balakot that was the most affected area of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa in 2005 earthquake. The research was conducted to document change in religious beliefs and practices of the people with respect to earthquake. The source of knowledge and motivation being the causal agent of change in believes was also worth noticing. To identify the change in religious beliefs and practices of natives, information regarding pre and post earthquake religious life of people was collected and compared to know the magnitude of change and the causes behind this change.