Religion in Tonga
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Christianity is the predominant religion in Tonga, with Methodists having the most adherents.[1]
The constitution of Tonga establishes the freedom of religion, which is respected in practice by both the government and general society, although there are some laws which restrict commerce and broadcast media in accordance with Christian religious norms.
Christianity
Tongans are ardent churchgoers. Church service usually follows a call and response structure. Singing in the church is often done a cappella. Although a church attends primarily to the spiritual needs of the population, it also functions as the primary social hub.
Sunday in Tonga is celebrated as a strict sabbath, enshrined so in the constitution, and despite some voices to the opposite, the Sunday ban is not likely to be abolished soon. No trade is allowed on Sunday, except essential services, after special approval by the minister of police. Those that break the law risk a fine or imprisonment.[3]
Along with others from
Other religions
Buddhism has begun to gain traction, growing from 0.2% to 0.4% of the population in five years.[8] Hinduism decreased from 104 people in 2006 to 100 in 2010.[7]
The
Demographics
According to the 2011 census, 36% of the population are members of the
Census figures
Religion | 1986[15] | 1996[15] | 2006[16] | 2011[17] |
---|---|---|---|---|
Christianity
|
90,174 | 94,489 | 99,255 | 101,272 |
Baháʼí Faith | 0 | 595 | 686 | 777 |
Hinduism
|
0 | 0 | 104 | 100 |
Buddhism | 0 | 0 | 71 | 183 |
Islam | 0 | 35 | 47 | 24 |
Other | 2874 | 830 | 202 | 877 |
Refuse to answer | 0 | 10 | 1,698 | 275 |
None | 0 | 61 | 28 | 288 |
Total | 94,049 | 96,020 | 101,991 | 103,043 |
Religion | 1986[15] | 1996[15] | 2006[16] | 2011[17] |
---|---|---|---|---|
Free Wesleyan Church
|
40,371 | 39,703 | 38,052 | 36,592 |
Roman Catholic | 14,921 | 15,309 | 15,922 | 15,441 |
Latter-day Saints | 11,270 | 13,225 | 17,109 | 18,554 |
Free Church of Tonga | 10,413 | 11,226 | 11,599 | 11,863 |
Church of Tonga | 6,882 | 7,016 | 7,295 | 6,935 |
Tokaikolo Christian Church | 3,047 | 2,919 | 2,597 | 2,533 |
Anglican Church | 563 | 720 | 765 | 728 |
Seventh-day Adventist Church
|
2,143 | 2,381 | 2,282 | 2,331 |
Assembly of God
|
565 | 1,082 | 2,350 | 2,602 |
Constitutional Church of Tonga | 0 | 845 | 941 | 961 |
Gospel Church | 0 | 63 | 243 | 236 |
Jehovah's Witnesses | 0 | 0 | 0 | 462 |
Other Pentecostal Denomination | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,034 |
Total | 90,175 | 94,489 | 99,255 | 101,272 |
Religious freedom
The constitution of Tonga establishes the freedom of religion, with the qualification that this freedom is not used to "commit evil" or to otherwise violate the law. The constitution forbids commercial transactions on Sundays in accordance with the
Religious organizations are not required to register with the government, but may do so in order to receive tax exemptions, the right to issue legally recognized marriage certificates, and other privileges. Foreign missionaries may operate in the country without special restrictions.[18]
Public schools may choose to include up to an hour of religious education per week; students are required to attend religious education courses pertaining to the religion that they profess. Many religious organizations operate private schools.[18]
The government allows religious organizations to broadcast programming on
See also
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Tonga
- Hinduism in Tonga
- Islam in Tonga
- Tongan religion
External links
References
- ^ a b "Tonga Religions - Demographics".
- ^ "TONGA 2020 INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM REPORT" (PDF). United States Department of State. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- ^ "Tonga – Mandatory Sunday Rest Laws and the International Date Line". ReligiousLiberty TV. 7 February 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- S2CID 147338574.
- ^ The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temples
- ^ ^ Jump up to: a b Church News: Country information: Tonga, churchofjesuschrist.org, accessed 2013-12-15
- ^ a b "Home | Statistics for Development Division".
- Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (September 14, 2007). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Hassall, Graham (1992), "Pacific Baha'i Communities 1950-1964", in H. Rubinstein, Donald (ed.), Pacific History: Papers from the 8th Pacific History Association Conference, University of Guam Press & Micronesian Area Research Center, Guam, pp. 73–95
- ^ a b Tuitahi, Sione; Bolouri, Sohrab (2004-01-28), "Tongan Baha'is parade to the palace", Baháʼí World News Service
- ^ Hassall, Graham (1996), "Baha'i Faith in the Asia Pacific Issues and Prospects", Baháʼí Studies Review, vol. 6, pp. 1–10
- ^ Baháʼí International Community (2006-07-17), "Ocean of Light School celebrates 10th anniversary", Bahá'í World News Service
- ^ Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (2006-09-15). "International Religious Freedom Report - Tonga". United States State Department. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Tonga 2011 Census of Population and Housing, Volume 2: Analytical Report (Report). Vol. 2. Secretariat of the Pacific Community, New Caledonia. January 2014. p. 33. Retrieved 28 September 2017.
- ^ a b c d CENSUS96 Admin, Tonga Department of Statistics, 11/15/2011, pages xxii, 14
- ^ a b [1], Tonga Department of Statistics
- ^ a b Census Report 2011 Vol.1 rev., Tonga Department of Statistics, 11/07/2013, page 39
- ^ a b c d International Religious Freedom Report 2017 § Tonga, US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.