Job woes prompt prayers

Many people have considered seeking spiritual help because of the pressure of the recession, according to a survey released yesterday.

They include Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, Taoists and atheists.

Nine religious centres of the Catholic Diocese interviewed about 1,200 people last month. Some 43 per cent were Catholics, 40 per cent said they had no beliefs and the rest were Buddhists or believed in other gods.

The findings showed about 40 per cent of respondents had experienced working difficulties in the past 12 months.

They had either been sacked, were underemployed or had had their salaries cut.

About 87 per cent of Catholic respondents said they prayed when faced with problems at work.