As illustrated by the countless vigils, prayer gatherings and special religious services following Sept. 11, times of uncertainty often motivate people to look for answers in religion.
Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, many area faith-based groups have noted a marked increase in attendance of their religious services.
"We definitely have more people coming out and praying for peace," said Zubair Malik (senior-premedicine), president of Penn State's Muslim Student Association.
"We have our big services on Friday and prayer every day at the mosque, and there have been a lot more people coming out for that. There's definitely been an overall increase in attendance," he said.
The war was a hot topic not only in the attendees' prayers, but also in their general conversations, Malik said.
"A lot of people have discussed heavy hearts about the war," Malik added.
The Rev. Neil Dadey from St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 134 E. Bishop St., Bellefonte, said the weekend masses are always so full that it is difficult to discern if attendance increased. The weekday services, though, have drawn more parishioners than usual, he said.
"Some of our parishioners have sons, daughters or grandchildren overseas right now, so we have a little memorial set up with their names on it," Dadey said.
"There are about 15 to 20 names on the 'prayer board' right now," Dadey added.
He said many people are drawn to faith in times of crisis because religion allows them to feel they are regaining control over their lives when stability cannot be found elsewhere.
"What normally happens is people finally realize what we've been trying to preach all along," Dadey said. "They lose a sense of control and security because they feel they are not in charge, they are not calling the shots. That's what drives people into the arms of God, who is always there for them."
Merika James (freshman-meteorology), president of Penn State's Bahai Club, said there has been an increase in people inquiring about the Bahai faith in conjunction with the uncertainty of war. Bahais, whose religious center is in Haifa, Israel, believe that all religions are the same and that all human beings are children under the same God, James said.
"Whenever people think about the possibility of anything ending, with friends and loved ones going off to war, I think we're forced to question why these things are happening, why we're bombing and innocent people are dying," James said. "People need something to believe in and to guide them, whether that's God or something else."
Deena Sadiky (junior-human development and family studies), president of Penn State Hillel, said Jewish services have not seen a great increase in attendance. "I don't think it's gone up," Sadiky said. "It's always changing, but I haven't seen a drastic change since the start of the war."
Thoughts and sentiments about the war in Iraq are nonetheless present in the meetings, Sadiky said.
"We have one part of the service where we say a prayer for the sick and those who need help and we always add in something for the soldiers," she added.
