Evangelical churches hit hard by coronavirus in Latin America as many flout guidelines

[Judi Lynn]

“Some have attended evangelical services in the city of Atalaia do Norte and then brought the virus to our lands,” one Indigenous leader said.



Women pray during the afternoon service at the Bethel evangelical church in Managua, Nicaragua, on Aug. 12, 2020.Alfredo Zuniga / AP

Aug. 27, 2020, 10:55 AM CDT
By The Associated Press

MANAGUA, Nicaragua — Some 400 men and women spaced themselves across a sprawling worship hall, praying through face masks with arms raised for the health of friends and family suffering from the coronavirus.

The congregation of Managua’s Bethel Restoration church knew the pandemic’s wrath: Two of its pastors were among the more than 40 evangelical leaders who have died in Nicaragua since March.

Throughout Latin America, a traditionally Catholic region with a surging evangelical presence in nearly every country, evangelical churches have kept spreading the Gospel despite government measures meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

In many countries, evangelical churches have flouted public health guidelines by holding in-person services, or have personally ministered to church members in homes and other settings.

In at least two countries, evangelical pastors have died in alarming numbers during the pandemic.

More:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/evangelical-churches-hit-hard-coronavirus-latin-america-many-flout-guidelines-n1238431

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. It's almost reassuring that the people in that photograph are masked.

I'm sure they aren't at many other churches. And honestly, if all of the religious idiots were to die from this, I'd be hard pressed to work up any sympathy.