Protestants, Pentecostal and African Indigenous religious perspectives on COVID 19

Abstract

When it comes to dealing with the spread of the coronavirus, there is a consensus on the approaches adopted by religious leaders regardless of whether they are Protestant, Pentecostal, or African indigenous churches. There is generally compliance with WHO regulations and lockdown regulations stipulated by various governments across the globe, including the government of South Africa. The knowledge on COVID 19, social distancing, health and hygiene promotion and resilience are some of the matters which religious leaders are contending with. From a qualitative study conducted amongst religious leaders in Northern KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, it is clear that knowledge on COVID 19 is drawn from sources which include government and the media, and social distancing and social intimacy remains contested. Religious leaders in South Africa are to a large extent complying with COVID 19 regulations and play a pivotal role as agents of social change, whilst in other parts of the world, there is massive resistance directed at governments who are perceived to be authoritarian. There is evidence that religious leaders actively participate in structures established by government to combat the spread of COVID 19, but there is an increasing need for various levels of government in South Africa to support religious organisations in the fight against coronavirus.