Religious views on the origin and meaning of COVID-2019

摘要: For ages, natural disasters, war and disease have been part of life, sharing themes not only adversity, fear death, but also hope. The year 2020 brought a new threat in the form coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), which challenged what humankind understood all they knew believed. significant difference today is role media news opinions on this that threatens lives, spiritual well-being. In study, we focus people’s religious views origin meaning invisible to establish how pandemic impacts belief systems. 20th century was marked by shift whereby actions events are intellectualised rationalise cause effect, philosophical theodicies regarded limit our critical reasoning. This however, shows COVID-19 reactivates debate it surpasses logic rational thinking. Data collected means comments, discussions shared numerous social platforms. During times same rhetorical ‘who’ ‘why’ questions asked regard, theodicy as framework informs study. Applying narrative inquiry, data interpreted three identified, namely an act God, has nothing do with God remains control amidst devastating pandemic. sample for study random medium used allows representativity terms age group (18+), gender, race, affiliation South Africa, limited country. Contribution: article provides insight into renewed debates pandemics suffering context COVID-19. It contributes understanding different perceptions disease, people make sense find being global discourse.