Study Shows Number of Lauchenoirians Identifying as Religious Has Risen Dramatically Since War

A new study of religious and spiritual beliefs among the Lauchenoirian population has found that the number of Lauchenoirians identifying as being a member of a religion has risen from 17% in 2017 to 34% in 2023. This is a sharp and dramatic rise, and is the highest rate of religiosity in Lauchenoiria since before the Communist Revolution of 1952. The Communist regime of 1952-93 suppressed most religious groups, and persecuted those who continued to practice their religion under their rule; resulting in a rapid decline of religious belief in the country. Since the civil war, however, that trend seems to be reversing.

The study was carried out jointly by researchers at the University of Melissa City and the University of Rockvale in Zongongia, originally as part of a larger study into religious beliefs across numerous nations. After identifying the rapid increase in Lauchenoiria, however, researchers began a secondary study focusing solely on the country. This increase was at odds with their data from the majority of other countries, where rates of religious belief have been slowly declining since the start of the 21st century.

While no concrete cause of this increase has been found, academics strongly suspect it is linked with the civil war and other recent events. “Lauchenoirians have been through a tumultuous time through this decade and the last,” one the researchers, Dr Fiona Ricuardez, told the Lauchenoirian Guardian. “Many lost friends and family during the civil war, or experienced horrendous trauma themselves. It is natural that people would wish to turn to a higher power for protection and reassurance, especially concerning an afterlife for those who have lost people.”

In Costeno, people are returning to the Sanctarian Catholic Church that was abandoned by their grandparents during the communist revolution; while in the rest of the country a variety of different religions have been gaining new followings. Some of the biggest winners are Zongongists and Secadualists in the north; but there has also been a rise in Szilankists in areas where Shuellian aid workers were present after the war; as many such workers engaged in evangelising for Szilankism during their time off. The most recent increase, seen over the latter half of 2023 and still being analysed, is believers in the Minjian Faith.

Following the kidnapping of Irene Ramos and Clay Moss, Minjian temples in Lauchenoiria received many curious visitors, some of whom later converted. This was a time when Lauchenoirians felt vulnerable, as if the rest of the world did not care what happened to them, and their own government could not protect them from the whims of Empress Calhualyana. The most high-profile condemnation of Calhualyana’s actions, which she readily admitted to, was from the Minjian High Conclave at a time when many nations were remaining conspicuously silent.

Missionaries, evangelists and others seeking religious converts are flocking to the country sensing opportunity; with a 217% increase in people stating this as their reason for travel when entering the country. Whatever the cause, and whichever religions people are choosing to adopt, one thing that is clear is that Lauchenoiria cannot retain its previous image as an atheist country for much longer.