Christianity, ‘supernatural’ beliefs and COVID-19

COVID-19 arguably had far-reaching implications for Christianity and the church as an institution. Issues around social distancing lockdown directly impacted articulation religious expression, while understanding of pandemic virus were mediated through constructions religio-spiritual beliefs. Given this, study sought to explore some neo-Pentecostal leaders’ messages in South Africa regarding novel coronavirus or COVID-19, what this meant their followers associated spread effects COVID-19. Methodologically, researcher iewed listened uploaded YouTube video clips news related bymedia outlets leaders themselves well online newspaper reports from period 2 March 19 June 2020. The findings reveal that attributed origins SARS-COV-2 “evil” spirits. Neo-Pentecostal mixed on possible cure with emphasising miracles panacea a minority believing God exhibits his power epidemiologists. Prayer was also viewed tool Christians protect contracting invocation divine powers. paper concludes pervasive influence emphasis onspiritual remedies such prayer may have given Pentecostal false sense security, which might affected awareness