African Megachurches, the Pandemic and Viral Politics: Adaptation, Accommodation, and Resistance.

This article discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on African megachurches and their responses to the crisis. It examines the role of science and spirituality in Nigeria's Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), the innovative strategies employed by Ghana's megachurches to retain their congregations through digital interactions, and the predictions and interpretations of the pandemic by African charismatic prophets. The authors argue that religion played a central role in African Christian responses to the pandemic and explore the implications of bringing a Pentecostal/charismatic religion to bear on a situation that is typically addressed by science and medicine. The article highlights the complex and influential role of African megachurches in shaping African identity and politics. [Extracted from the article]