Christianity is the dominant religion in Belize.[1] The single largest denomination is the Roman 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 Pentecostal with 8.4% of the population up from 7.4% in 2000 and 6.3% in 1991, Seventh-day Adventists with 5.4% of the population up from 5.2% in 2000 and 4.1% in 1991. The following of the Anglican Church has been steadily declining, with only 4.7% of the population in 2010 compared to 6.95% in 1991.[1][2] About 12,000 Mennonites (3.7% of the population)[1] live mostly in the rural districts of Cayo and Orange Walk. People who declared they belong to no religion make up 15.5% of the population (just under 50,000 people) in 2010, more than double their 2000 census numbers.[1] 11.2% adhere to other religions which include the Maya religion, Afro-American religions (Garifuna religion, Obeah and Myalism), Mormons, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Baháʼís, Rastafarians and others.
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 Roman Catholic churches belong to the Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan; Anglican churches belong to the Diocese of Belize, part of the Church in the Province of the West Indies. Catholics frequently visit the country for special gospel revivals. The Greek Orthodox Church has a presence in 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.
The constitution of Belize establishes the freedom of religion. Discrimination on religious grounds is illegal. A law against blasphemy is unenforced. The Council of Churches, a body which includes representatives from several Christian denominations, appoints one senator to 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. Missionaries are required to register with the government and purchase a religious worker's permit.[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. Most public schools are managed by Christian churches. A few schools are run by non-Christian religious groups.[10]
^ abcdefgh(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.
^ abNational Census Report 2000, Belize(PDF). pp. 23–25. ISBN978-976-600-209-1. Retrieved 12 September 2015.
^"Facts and Statistics: Belize". The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
^"Belize: Religious Adherents (2010)". The Association for Religion Data Archives. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
^"Most Baha'i (sic) Nations (2005)". The Association for Religion Data Archives. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
^"2010 Census of Belize Overview". 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
^"2010 Census of Belize Detailed Demographics of 2000 and 2010". 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2017.
^Muslim community officially opens Belize City Mosque
^ abcInternational Religious Freedom Report 2017 Belize, US Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
December 31, 2022
religion, belize, christianity, dominant, religion, belize, single, largest, denomination, roman, catholic, church, with, about, population, adherents, reduction, from, population, 2000, 1991, 1980, although, absolute, numbers, have, still, risen, other, major. Christianity is the dominant religion in Belize 1 The single largest denomination is the Roman 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 Pentecostal with 8 4 of the population up from 7 4 in 2000 and 6 3 in 1991 Seventh day Adventists with 5 4 of the population up from 5 2 in 2000 and 4 1 in 1991 The following of the Anglican Church has been steadily declining with only 4 7 of the population in 2010 compared to 6 95 in 1991 1 2 About 12 000 Mennonites 3 7 of the population 1 live mostly in the rural districts of Cayo and Orange Walk People who declared they belong to no religion make up 15 5 of the population just under 50 000 people in 2010 more than double their 2000 census numbers 1 11 2 adhere to other religions which include the Maya religion Afro American religions Garifuna religion Obeah and Myalism Mormons Hindus Buddhists Muslims Bahaʼis Rastafarians and others Religion in Belize 2010 census 1 Roman 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 Holy Redeemer Cathedral in Belize City built 1858 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 Bahaʼi 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 Bahaʼi 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 Bahaʼis in Belize in that year as well as the highest proportion of Bahaʼis in any country though not nearly the highest absolute number 5 The 2010 Belize Population Census however recorded only 202 Bahaʼis out of a total population of 304 106 6 7 yielding a proportion of 0 066 far less than 2 5 Belizean Roman Catholic churches belong to the Diocese of Belize City Belmopan Anglican churches belong to the Diocese of Belize part of the Church in the Province of the West Indies Catholics frequently visit the country for special gospel revivals The Greek Orthodox Church has a presence in 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 Contents 1 Religious freedom 2 Census results 3 See also 4 ReferencesReligious freedom EditThe constitution of Belize establishes the freedom of religion Discrimination on religious grounds is illegal A law against blasphemy is unenforced The Council of Churches a body which includes representatives from several Christian denominations appoints one senator to 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 Missionaries are required to register with the government and purchase a religious worker s permit 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 Most public schools are managed by Christian churches A few schools are run by non Christian religious groups 10 Census results EditReligion in Belize 2010 Census simplifiedReligion percentRoman 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 20102Number Number Total Population 232 111 304 106Christian 193 150 83 3 226 515 74 3 Roman 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 4No Religious Affiliation 21 795 9 4 47 511 15 6Other 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 9No response 1 367 0 6 756 0 3See also EditHinduism in Belize History of the Catholic Church in Belize Islam in Belize List of churches in Belize Mennonites in Belize Roman Catholicism in BelizeReferences Edit 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 a b National Census Report 2000 Belize PDF pp 23 25 ISBN 978 976 600 209 1 Retrieved 12 September 2015 Facts and Statistics Belize The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints Retrieved 22 November 2015 Belize Religious Adherents 2010 The Association for Religion Data Archives Retrieved 21 November 2015 Most Baha i sic Nations 2005 The Association for Religion Data Archives Retrieved 21 November 2015 2010 Census of Belize Overview 2011 Retrieved April 23 2017 2010 Census of Belize Detailed Demographics of 2000 and 2010 2011 Retrieved April 23 2017 Orthodox Church of Belize homepage Muslim community officially opens Belize City Mosque a b c International Religious Freedom Report 2017 Belize US Department of State Bureau of Democracy Human Rights and Labor Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Religion in Belize amp oldid 1127614967, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
