Do tough economic times make people more religious?

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Ok here is a theory I have based upon my own observations during the Jewish High Holidays that just passed.  In tough economic times, do people seek solace in God?  It would seem so.  This year not only did I see more people attending services, but it seemed rather than the usual social gathering that the high holidays can be in a Synagogue in Boca Raton, people were fervently praying. That is not to say that there were not the usual designer clothes, Gucci loafers and big diamonds on display.  It was as if the bad economic news was like a call to prayer for the faithful and heretobefore unfaithful alike.

So does the current economic climate explain the more pious attitude among the congregation members? Are any of you seeing similar trends in Christian churches?  What impact will a more religious population driven by bad economic times have on our foreign policy?  Could it lead to a perfect storm that makes us susceptible to a religious-economic message leading to ill-advised policy decisions or even worse, an unnecessary war? Hey don't laugh the last time there was a world wide depression, there was a world wide war to pull us out of it.  I hope that isn't the case now!