In many early civilizations, health beliefs and practices where generated from religious or spiritual paradigms. While advances in biomedicine have allowed scientists to better explain the mechanisms of disease, the importance of religion in how we illness has remained. In her lecture, Musa Dube speaks to the influence of religious leaders as public health advocates.
Religion and HIV
Referencing her own experience during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Musa Dube explained how she used Bible passages to show support for those with HIV. The social view of HIV at the time was that it was a “gay” disease that only affected men who had sex with men. Do to its perceived tied with homosexuality, many religious groups and organizations opposed those with HIV. Through religion, HIV was moralized in a way where those with the diagnosis were seen as evil or bad. It is clear that religion and spirituality are integral aspects of health and illness, especially during the HIV pandemic.
Religion and COVID-19
While religion was not used to blatantly discriminate against those with COVID-19 like seen during HIV, religion still played a huge role. According to results from the Pew Research Center, in 11 of 14 countries surveyed, the share who say their religious faith has strengthened is higher than the share who say it has weakened, including in the United States. During isolation or any time of health crisis, a connection to some community is integral. In this case, many found connection in religious or spiritual faith. Personally, I noticed that my own mother (who was previously not very spiritual) begin to do daily rituals connected to the Hindu faith. When I asked why, she said that these prayers and practices gave her a sense of routine in a time of limbo. Though she has begun to go back to the office again for work, my mother still continues to engage in these spiritual practices, as they make her feel more grounded.
During any crisis, a connection to community is critical. When individuals share any sort of belief or practice, it is easier to begin to work together to formulate solutions. As Musa Dube detailed in her lecture, religion can be a uniting force. So, during health crises like the HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 pandemic, we must consider religion and spirituality as a tool for connection.
Hi Audrika,
I really enjoyed your post and how you described your own experience to highlight the connection between religion and the COVID-19 pandemic. I find the contrast between the role of religion throughout the HIV pandemic versus the COVID-19 pandemic fascinating. I wonder if this stark difference between the two has to do with widespread knowledge and understanding of the illness at hand. I would be interested to better understand the root causes of these observed differences and when the shift from negative and unwelcoming to warm, welcoming, and a place to receive vaccines or tests occurred. Overall, I’m glad that religious communities have become more understanding and open to people despite their status because—as you mentioned in your post and Musa Dube mentioned in her lecture—religion can connect people.
Hi Audrika,
I really enjoyed your post and how you described your own experience to highlight the connection between religion and the COVID-19 pandemic. I find the contrast between the role of religion throughout the HIV pandemic versus the COVID-19 pandemic fascinating. I wonder if this stark difference between the two has to do with widespread knowledge and understanding of the illness at hand. I would be interested to better understand the root causes of these observed differences and when the shift from negative and unwelcoming to warm, welcoming, and a place to receive vaccines or tests occurred. Overall, I’m glad that religious communities have become more understanding and open to people despite their status because—as you mentioned in your post and Musa Dube mentioned in her lecture—religion can connect people.
Audrika: Great post and I love this theme of connection that you pull out because I think you can think of it in a few ways. Certainly, in the case of COVID having to distance from one another meant a disconnection, which was hard during such a scary time. What was fascinating was how humans still found ways to connect, mostly with technology and social media so that religious gatherings started happening (and in some cases are still happening) on Facebook or Zoom. I think also both COVID and HIV/AIDS connected people who otherwise would not be connected: these viruses do not discriminate, all they want is a host. It also demonstrated how hard it is to be a nurse, doctor, healthcare worker, teacher, essential worker during a pandemic and how much we actually rely on one another.