Religion in Zimbabwe
Christianity is the most widely professed religion in Zimbabwe, with Protestantism being its largest denomination.[2]
According to the 2017 Inter Censal Demography Survey by the
Traditional religions are followed by about four percent, and unspecified and none eight percent. The other major religions of the world such as Islam (0.7%), Buddhism (<0.1%), Hinduism (<0.1%) and Judaism (<0.1%) each have a niche presence.
While the country is majority Christian, in the early 2000s, most people also practiced, to varying degrees, elements of the
The Constitution of Zimbabwe allows for freedom of religion.[5]
In 2023, the country was scored 3 out of 4 for religious freedom.[6]
Christianity
The first Christian mission arrived in Zimbabwe in 1859 because of the efforts of
Most Zimbabweans Christians are Protestants. The Protestant Christian churches with large membership are Anglican (represented by the Church of the Province of Central Africa), Seventh-day Adventist[10] and Methodist.[11]
There are about one million
A variety of local churches and groups have emerged from the mainstream Christian churches over the years that fall between the Protestant and Catholic churches. Some, such as the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God, continue to adhere to Christian beliefs and oppose the espousal of traditional religions. In the early 2009s, other local groups, such as the Seven Apostles, combined elements of established Christian beliefs with some beliefs based on traditional African culture and religion.[13]
Traditional religions
About four percent of Zimbabweans express their religion to be Traditional, but most Christians continue to practice elements of their traditional religions. Further, most Zimbabwe churches, like African Churches, now incorporate worship practices that include traditional African rituals, songs, dance, non-Christian iconography and oral culture.[8]
Islam
Islam is the religion of less than one percent of the population of Zimbabwe.
Bahá'í Faith
Bahá'í was brought to Zimbabwe in 1929 by
Hinduism
There are small number of
References
- ^ a b Inter Censal Demography Survey 2017 Report, Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (2017)
- ^ "Africa: GUINEA-BISSAU, People and Society". CIA The World Factbook. 2011.
- ^ a b Religious composition by country, Pew Research, Washington DC (2012)
- Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (September 14, 2007). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ US State Dept 2022 report
- ^ Freedom House website, retrieved 2024-02-05
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8160-6983-5.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-470-99918-9.
- ISBN 978-0-8028-2853-8.
- ^ "Adventist Atlas website, Zimbabwe page". Retrieved 2008-01-22.
- ^ "Church in Zimbabwe far behind in communication". Archived from the original on 2008-06-06. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
- ^ Statistics relating to the Catholic church in Zimbabwe
- ^ US State Dept 2009, Religion in Zimbabwe This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ISBN 978-1-135-96857-1.
- ^ Bahá'í International Community (2003-12-12). "Drumming and dancing in delight". Bahá'í International News Service.
- ^ a b "History of the Zimbabwean Community". The Bahá'í Community of Zimbabwe. National Assembly of the Bahá'ís of Zimbabwe. Archived from the original on 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
- ^ Hands of the Cause Residing in the Holy Land (1964). The Bahá'í Faith: 1844-1963, Information Statistical and Comparative, Including the Achievements of the Ten Year International Bahá'í Teaching & Consolidation Plan 1953–1963. Israel: Peli - P.E.C. Printing World LTD.Ramat Gan. p. 114.
- )
- ^ The Hindoo Society Newsletter Archived 2017-02-02 at the Wayback Machine, Harare, Zimbabwe; Current Archives Archived 2016-12-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Modern Temple Rises Out of Zimbabwe Soil Archived 2019-02-07 at the Wayback Machine, Hinduism Today (1991)
- ^ The Hindoo Society Archived 2019-01-22 at the Wayback Machine, Harare, Zimbabwe, Official Website
- ^ *Hindus in Zimbabwe Archived 2007-04-25 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Brahma Kumaris Centres in Zimbabwe, retrieved 2023-08-08
Further Reading (Ezra Chitando, Prophets, profits and the Bible in Zimbabwe) [1]
External links
- Religion in Zimbabwe - RelZim news portal
- ZJC Project on the history of the Zimbabwe Jewish Community
- ISBN 9783863091989.