Religion in Belize

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Christianity in Belize
)

Religion in Belize (2010 census)[1]

  Catholic (40.1%)
  Pentecostal (8.4%)
  Seventh-day Adventist (5.4%)
  Anglican (4.7%)
  Mennonite (3.7%)
  Baptist (3.6%)
  Methodist (2.9%)
  Nazarene (2.8%)
  Jehovah's Witness (1.7%)
  No religion (15.5%)
  Other religions (11.2%)
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Holy Redeemer Cathedral in Belize City, built 1858.

Christianity is the dominant religion in Belize.[1] The single largest denomination is the Catholic Church with about 40.1% of the population (129,456 adherents), a reduction from 49.6% of the population in 2000, 57.7% in 1991 and 61.9% in 1980, although absolute numbers have still risen.[1][2] Other major groups include

Rastafarians
and others.

There were 1,333 Mormons in 2010[1] though the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims 4,807 members as of 2015 (in 11 congregations).[3]

The 2010 census also found 216 followers of the Baháʼí Faith (down slightly from the 2000 census, which counted 219). It also found small numbers of Buddhists (820 or 0.3% of the population), Hindus (about 650), and Muslims (about 620).[1] However, the Association of Religion Data Archives states that as of 2005, 2.5% of the population identifies as Baháʼí, 2.0% identifies as Hindu, 1.1% identifies as Jewish, 1.0% identifies as spiritists, 0.6% identifies as followers of indigenous religions, 0.5% identifies as Muslim, and 0.5% identifies as Buddhist.[4] They estimate there were 7,776 Baháʼís in Belize in that year, as well as the highest proportion of Baháʼís in any country (though not nearly the highest absolute number).[5] The 2010 Belize Population Census, however, recorded only 202 Baháʼís out of a total population of 304,106,[6][7] yielding a proportion of 0.066%, far less than 2.5%. .

Belizean Catholic churches belong to the

Santa Elena.[8] Muslims have been in Belize since the 18th century. Activism of the 1960s saw many converts to Islam. It is also common among Middle Eastern immigrants and has gained a following among some Kriols. Mosques continue to be built in major cities. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Belize City built Masjid Noor Mosque at the beginning of 2020. It remains one of the fastest growing sect of Islam in Belize. [9] Hinduism
is followed by most Indian immigrants.

Religious freedom

The

senate of Belize with the approval of the Governor-General. The law also establishes that prisoners in jails must have their religious beliefs respected and accommodated.[10]

Religious groups are required to register with the government in order to operate in the country. Religious groups are exempt from certain taxes. Foreign religious workers are required to purchase a religious worker's permit and register with the government.[10]

The public school curriculum for primary schools includes nondenominational "spirituality" classes that introduce world religions, as well as ethics and morals associated with religion;[10] in 2022 there were issues regarding children with traditional Rastafari hairstyles attending some schools. Most public schools are managed by Christian churches. A few schools are run by non-Christian religious groups.

Census results

Religion in Belize – 2010 Census, simplified
Religion percent
Roman Catholic
 
 40.4%
Protestant
 
 31.8%
Jehovah's Witnesses
 
 1.7%
Mormon
 
 0.4%
Other religion
 
 9.6%
No religion
 
 15.6%
No response
 
 0.3%
Main Religious Denominations in Belize
20001 20102
Number % Number %
Total Population 232,111 304,106
Christian 193,150 83.3 226,515 74.3
- Catholic 115,035 49.6 123,010 40.4
- Total Protestant 78,115 31.8 103,505 31.8
-
Anglican
 12,386 5.3 14,016 4.6
-
Baptist
 8,077 3.5 11,009 3.6
-
Mennonite
 9,497 4.1 11,658 3.8
-
Methodist
 8,024 3.5 8,821 2.9
- Nazarene 6,117 2.6 8,660 2.8
-
Pentecostal
 17,189 7.4 25,899 8.5
-
Seventh-day Adventist
 12,160 5.2 16,665 5.5
-
Salvation Army
 371 0.2 370 0.1
-
Jehovah’s Witnesses
 3,366 1.5 5,114 1.7
-
Mormon
 928 0.4 1,293 0.4
No Religious Affiliation 21,795 9.4 47,511 15.6
Other 15,799 6.8 29,324 9.6
- Buddhist - - 757 0.3
- Hindu 367 0.2 612 0.2
- Muslim 243 0.1 577 0.2
- Other 15,189 6.5 27,378 8.9
No response 1,367 0.6 756 0.3

See also

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Religion in Belize.
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Belize Population and Housing Census 2010: Country Report (PDF). Belmopan, Belize C.A.: he Statistical Institute of Belize. 2013. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-976-600-209-1
    . Retrieved 12 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Facts and Statistics: Belize". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Belize: Religious Adherents (2010)". The Association for Religion Data Archives. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  5. ^ "Most Baha'i (sic) Nations (2005)". The Association for Religion Data Archives. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  6. ^ "2010 Census of Belize Overview". 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  7. ^ "2010 Census of Belize Detailed Demographics of 2000 and 2010". 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
  8. ^ Orthodox Church of Belize homepage
  9. ^ Muslim community officially opens Belize City Mosque
  10. ^ a b c US State Dept, 2022 report on Belize
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