Religion in Namibia

More than 90 percent of Namibian citizens identify themselves as Christian. [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90112.htm International Religious Freedom Report 2007: Namibia] . United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (September 14, 2007). "This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain."] The two largest Christian groups are the Lutheran and Roman Catholic churches, while smaller numbers are affiliated with the Baptist Church, the Methodist Church, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). There are also a number of Zionist churches (a mixture of traditional African beliefs and Pentecostal Christianity), especially in urban areas. The Dutch Reformed Church of Namibia is predominantly made up of members of the Afrikaner ethnic group. The Himba and San ethnic groups comprise less than 1 percent and 3 percent respectively, practice indigenous religions. Other religions that are practiced in the country include Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and the Baha'i Faith. Practitioners of these religious groups are predominantly immigrants, descendants of immigrants, or recent converts. They reside primarily in urban areas. There are few atheists in the country. Muslims in Namibia are almost exclusively Sunni. The total number of Muslims in the country is in dispute, ranging between less than 1% to 3% [ [http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2006-06/01/02.shtml IslamOnline.net- News ] ]

Foreign missionary groups operate in the country.

The Constitution provides for freedom of religion, and the Government generally respects this right in practice. The US government received no reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious belief or practice in 2007.

ee also

*Islam in Namibia
*Roman Catholicism in Namibia

References