Believing in times of uncertainty: Beliefs, representations, and practices of catholics, evangelicals, and the non-affiliated during the COVID-19 pandemic (Argentina, 2021)

Abstract

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created a scenario of utmost uncertainty and confusion due to the socio-health crisis caused by the rapid spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This article aims to know and comprehend the beliefs, representations, and practices of various sectors of the Argentine citizenry during the COVID-19 pandemic, based on the qualitative analysis of 142 semi-structured interviews conducted across different regions. We found that religious-spiritual beliefs facilitated the transmutation of pain and misunderstanding into relative certainties and hopes, and no new religious affiliations or disaffiliations were recorded. The religious and spiritual activities carried out in homes showed significant levels of participation and interest by individuals in establishing a connection with God or a transcendent plane as therapeutic supports. Prayer was the predominant practice among Catholics, Evangelicals, and those without religious affiliation. Regarding attitudes toward vaccination, religious beliefs were not considered a factor when deciding whether to accept or reject the vaccine. Among the citizenry, there is a predominant trust in the advances of science and in the precautions of their communities to avoid infection from the virus. Finally, the connections with loved ones and the coordination between religious communities, social, political, and state organizations, and neighbourhood networks to perform solidarity activities, consolidated a support network that sustained individuals across different territories during the most critical moments of the pandemic.